R12 recharging....

[190D22]

I am still a little low on my R12 even after charging it myself. I know that it is illegal to do so, but I bought the stuff fair and square when it was legal so I feel I should be allowed to do it myself. My hoze kit for recharging is bad, it leaks so I didn't get the entire 12 oz can in my system. Is it possible to still find these hozes? OR can I take my cans to an A/C shop and have them do everything for me? Thanks.

[tcane]

It is OK for a DIY to charge an AC system with R-12 and you can even charge a system with a known leak using R-12 under EPA sec. 609 unless your state has a law not allowing charging a system with a leak (some state's do have laws against). It is not illegal to posess R-12, but if you want to buy R-12 you have to have the 609 certification, as I do. Oil can be bought and put into an R-12 system w/o 609 certification.

You may find a friendly AC shop that will help you with your cans of R-12 and charging your AC system - probably for a fee. Often, the cans are hard to use to reach the maximum pressure. An old trick is to put the can into warm water no hotter than 110 F or so (carefull, too much heat can cause a can to explode), heating the can will increase pressure and sometimes allow you to get a full or near full charge.

The hoses for the cans are sold on eBay all the time w/o 609 certification - use search term "freon" and several should be found.

Good Luck!
Tom

[dc88168]

You can get the EPA certificate online for $15
Here is the link to the site:

http://www.imaca.org/index.htm



David

___________________
1985 300D Turbo

[190D22]

hah I don't do recharges that often to need 609! I'll see what they will charge me to use my cans, or see if some buddies can hook me up.

[Gary F.]

You should be able to find a section of hose with fittings at Auto Zone, NAPA etc. Also if the hose has a small leak, try putting a piece of innertub section around the leak and secure with worm screw clamp. Also you can buy a complete set of manifold guages with the hoses for about $30-$40.
Good Luck

[190D22]

Well the places I've been to will not sell the hozes to you unless you have 609 certification. I will try putting the hoze and clamps on my current one to repair it. The valve on it leaks as well... So I would like to get a whole new one, if possible.

[Fathead]

Three years ago I had a problem with an R12 leak, so some Fly-By-Night a/c shop offered to fill it with "Freeze 12" which is some kind of non CFC drop in.

Apparently this stuff swelled and sealed all my gaskets. Now it's one pound/year and I freeze in my '83 CD - even in the Texas sun.

wahoo!

[190D22]

I will have to look into that stuff. I am not pleased with the AC performance in my 190... My grand cherokee practically makes iceicles and my baby benz MIGHT make it feel cooler in the car. It still is low on freon though.