How do I know which freon I have?
 

Hey all, I wanted to recharge my a/c in the w124 but I don't know which freon I already have in the system.. The past owner said he converted it, but when I got a R-13 refill can the nozzle doesn't fit on the cap, it's too big, but the cap looks new..

Did he put the wrong cap in the wrong place? :eek: or what kind of nozzle do I need? There is no sticker that says it's been retrofitted, just the factory sticker stating it uses R-12..

Are the fittings a screw on type like a tire valve, or do they look like something would just clip over them? R12 fittings screw on, R134a fittings clip on.

-Jason

It looks like a screw on, so I can assume it's still R-12? The cap is too fat for the R-13 nozzle on the refill can..

If it is still R-12, big win!! :)

When in doubt have a sample pulled and analyzed.

OK, I'll bite. Why are you trying to add R-13 to a R-12 system?

The system could easily have R-134 in it without the conversion fittings or labels for R-134. Be careful.

In spite of the fact that FEDERAL LAW requires correct fittings installed that correspond to the refrigerant therein, there are zillions of cars out there with incorrect fittings. The fitting installed or not installed indicates NOTHING! The ONLY way to know what is in the system is to go to your local auto a/c shop and have them connect their refrigerant detector. It will cost little or nothing for them to do this.

ASSUMING that there is a particular refrigerant inside based on fittings can be a HUGE mistake.

So is my best bet having a sample pulled and tested? How much does that run, just curious.

when we bought the car, we were told that it was converted, but the past owner was kind of....ghetto lol so I'm not sure if they actually did it or just put the fittings on and said it was converted.

But since I thought it was converted I went ahead and tried refilling it with R-13 but low and behold it didn't fit. So I'm wondering what's going on here LOL

I'll post a picture of the fitting.

I don't think A/C is really a good DIY project. Go to a independent auto A/C shop and explain the situation. Have them check the system for leaks and put back the correct amount of refrigerant and oil needed. Chances are they will do the test for free under those conditions since they wouldn't want to be responsible for putting in the wrong refrigerant.

You're in Palm Springs. That's no place to be fooling around without A/C.:D

As I said, it will cost little or nothing.

OK, so I assume you're talking about R134a, not R13.

Are you sure that you are trying to connect the R134a to the suction side and not the high pressure side?