how to tell r12 from 134?

[opossum]

Hi guys,
a few years ago I paid my local (and sorta trusted) indy mechanic to convert the ac system over to 134..well, it didnt take so well and slowly got warmer and warmer over the course of a year and a half. I took it to some refrigeration experts and he swore up and down that it wasnt converted and was still r12. Is there a way to tell for sure on my own? BTW, where do I find the fitting/adapter to fit the fill port on the ac on an 89 190e? It doesnt fit the one from napa that was supposed to fit.
thanks, opossum

the refrigeration expert should have a freon identifier, that will tell you for sure, buy if it was still R12 i doubt you would have had the problems you mentioned of it getting warmer overtime. i recently converted two of my mercedes cars back to R-12 because of cooling performance issues. both now go below 40 degrees.

[Arthur Dalton]

Getting warmer over time is usually a sign of a refrigerant leak. There are other causes , but that would be first on the list.
R12 or 134 don't lose there cooling properties over time ..they leak out of the system.
If the fittings have outside threads with a flare connection , they are R12 . Usually when a unit has been converted , they replace the fittings with the 134 adapters , being an indicator of 134 swap.. Evidently these were not changed , but that does not mean someone did not recharge w/134 without changing the fittings..but on the other hand , if the fittings were changed, it has been changed to 134a..

If your tech did NOT put 134 fittings on the car and indeed put 134 in it, he was in violation of FEDERAL law.

As Arthur pointed out, the only way to know is with a refrigerant identifier. The best bet would be to flush the system and convert back to R12 which has come down in price of late.

Good luck,

[Arthur Dalton]

>

..while 134 has been going through the roof ..
They may meet at an equal $$$$ at these rates !!!!!

Nah ......

[opossum]

Thanks alot guys!

[csnow]

I think folks look at the cans side-by-side and figure that the stuff with 'performance enhancer' or 'stop leak' is an upgrade from the plain stuff.

Who wouldn't want 'performance enhancer' for just a little more money, right?

The unfortunate thing is the vicious cycle this sets up in the marketplace. Folks look for a quick-fix-in-a-can because getting their AC serviced is so expensive. All the assorted crap moving about in AC systems is a major cost factor for AC technicians, and the cycle repeats...

[boneheaddoctor]

Originally Posted by csnow

I think folks look at the cans side-by-side and figure that the stuff with 'performance enhancer' or 'stop leak' is an upgrade from the plain stuff.

Who wouldn't want 'performance enhancer' for just a little more money, right?

The unfortunate thing is the vicious cycle this sets up in the marketplace. Folks look for a quick-fix-in-a-can because getting their AC serviced is so expensive. All the assorted crap moving about in AC systems is a major cost factor for AC technicians, and the cycle repeats...

I think thats what they have in mind....creat a more lucrative market for stuff they idiot back yard guy with a wrench screws up, with his "expertise".

[dkveuro]

The Interdynamics Stop leak will solidify when it contacts moisture.
To quote them ....
" Our Maxi Seal (MRL-2) seals both rubber and metal leaks. The metal leak sealer works by reacting with air and condensed moisture outside the system at the site of the leak...."

So you see, if the system has any moisture, it will seal up INSIDE the system too .
If you evacuate a system with any kind of Leak Stop you effectively destroy your recovery machine. Period !

I have stopped using any recovery machine...I send it to a shop with L/Stop and gas identifier equipment...if it gets a positive....job declined.


.

[pwogaman]

Somebody at Interdynamics needs to go to jail (a personal opinion).