Where is best place to buy Freon 12 for my A/C system on a 1987 300SDL.

Thanks Derick33

On Freon 12 (R12), they can't sell it in the small 1 lb cans anymore, only the large (40lb?) cylinders, so if you want R12, you may be better off getting it serviced at an AC shop, dealer, independent shop, etc., unless you really want a 40 lb cylinder, and even then i don't know if they can sell it to a walk-in (ie a individual person vs a business).
Gilly

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Regular people cant buy 30lb canisters anymore. YOu have to be certified for them.

I had my ac worked on by my mercedes mechanic. Just ask them up front what they charge for the freon, then find out what the max amount in your car is (capacity). Make sure you have no leaks before you put it in because it is expensive.

Austin

Greetings Derick,

The small 12 oz and some 16oz cans of freon 12 are still available for sale out on the market from those folks that hogged it all up when they heard about the freon ban some years ago. It is still legal for a certified mobile a/c techs to purchase this freon. In accordance with section 609 of the clean air act amendments of 1990. If you have had previous experience with servicing a/c systems in the past but don't have a certification to prove it, then you can go to www.imaca.org and take the certification test to gain your certification to purchase freon R-12 in small qty.'s
Ebay has many sellers of freon R-12 for a price of course, but the cooling difference does seem to make a difference over R-134
If you are not familar with charging a system or the recycling of such freon nor have the equipment, then it's probably best left to your local shop to do this for you, Ouch, is the cost.


Charles

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My brothers 300E was converted to R134, man it blows Ice cold air. Better than his 300D turbo (w124). But it was done but someone that studied cooling systems throughout college.

Austin

omegabenz,

Where are you located? In a hot climate like Texas, you can really tell the difference in cooling capacity after conversion.

Have a great day,

The R-12 availability issue may be a regional issue. In some parts of the U. S. you can still buy the 12 oz. cans with just a 609 certification. In other areas, this is not enough.

Glad I live where I do. Just bought a 12 oz. can for $29.99 + tax. Not cheap but better than the $75 - $100 that some places are charging.

What about the quality of the different R-12 brands out there? Is there any difference? I've seen a few different brands:

DuPont
Sercon
ColdShot

Saw these brands for sale at reasonable prices on Ebay. All state that proof of certification is required for sale. Anyone know if they actually verify your certification? If so, how difficult is it to study for and pass the 609 cert exam?

TIA!

~Paul

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'91 300E, 212K miles

Paul:

Quality - can't say about E-bay. I always purchase mine from local independent auto parts houses.

Proof of certification - they usually have you fax a copy of your drivers license and your 609 card.

Exam - I got mine thru the Mobile Air Conditioning Society - http://www.macsw.org
That was about 4 yrs. ago. Think it was $20. You contact them - send then the money and they mail you a booklet - self-study exam - 25 quesions. All but 4 were fairly simply - had to answer 21 correctly. The book was 8.5x11 - 53 pages. I had a perfect score - not that hard to do. They mailed we a wall certificate and a laminated card that I've always used when purchasing.

Again, in some areas, a 609 is not enough. Austin, Tx. requires more than this.

Before I ordered the test from MACS, I downloaded and studied the version available @ epatest.com(think I spelled it right?) thinking I'd get a jump on things. Big waste of time. The info in the MACS book was way different.

Everything I've presented here was how it was for me 4 yrs. ago. Things may have changed.

By the way, the test has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with A/C tech. skills. It's all about environmental laws and the proper handling, evacuation of refrigerant. You could pass this test and not know a low pressure switch from a rolling pin.

For me it was all about control - the govt. controlling me. 20 yrs. ago I could walk into any K-Mart on a Sat. and buy 16oz. cans of the stuff for .59 cents. Now it's $30 or more. I have always found it extremely difficult to believe that a guy like me standing out on my driveway with a can of R-12 is killing the environment.

Not long before this 609 requirement went into effect, DuPont's patent on this juice expired. Makes a man wonder. Next thing you know, you'll need a certification to change oil/coolant/etc.
You can bet I'll have everyone required.

Mike,

You mentioned that Austin, TX requires more than the 609 certification. What else do they require? I am located in Austin and just went thru the cert to purchase R-12 for the A/C work I was going to do on my 300D soon.

-Chris

It's been awhile since I read about this, but certain areas have their own rules. Austin, Tx., Wisconsin; California and perhaps other areas. I haven't kept up with it.

In every case I've read about, you needed to actually be involved in the automotive service field as a professional. I don't know if only shops in Austin can buy it on behalf of their techs or if a tech could go out on his own and buy it with ASE credentials and a 609 cert.

If I were you, I'd call around to the various auto parts stores and see if you can even find it. More and more local retailers are no longer carrying it.

Someone here mentioned refrigerantsales.com the other day. Maybe they will sell it; then again, maybe they won't sell it to an Austin resident.

If you have a 609 and can't buy it in Austin, drive south 80 miles to San Antonio. The local Napa and Car Quest places still sell the 12 oz. cans for about $26-$28.

Thanks Mike. Appreciate the info.

-Chris

Just did the 609 thing about two weeks ago. IMACA website. 24 questions--open book test. $15.00. Took about an hour and I knew absolutely nothing prior to starting. Read the question--find the answer.....

Bought 4 12 oz cans from Lenz distributing @ $25.00 per can.

Servicing AC can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing--proceed with knowledge and caution.

You can buy a product called FREEZE 12 on Ebay. It is compatible with R12 and 134 systems. All you have to do is install the adapters that come with the kit. Much less expensive than R12 or 134. No CFC's. No certification required to buy. It's colder than R 134 also.
Gary

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I'm curious as to how long it will take for Larry Bible to come crashing in with one of his alternate refrigerant bashing threads.

Shame on you zrusny.

Tick....tick........tick........tick......tick

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