Air Conditioning System 1991 Toyota Camry
Hello Oh Great One,
I have an original AC R-!2 compressor that has developed a leak. Do you recommend finding a brand new R-12 compressor and installing it along with compatible expansion valve and drier/ accumulator? Or switch to R-134 compressor with compatible expansion valve and drier/accumulator? I've found a company that sells an Enviroment refrigerant that can be used for either syatem. I plan on keeping the vehicle, but like having cold air. What is your suggestion?
I have an original AC R-!2 compressor that has developed a leak.
Do you recommend finding a brand new R-12 compressor and installing it along with compatible expansion valve and drier/ accumulator? Or switch to R-134 compressor with compatible expansion valve and drier/accumulator?
Any new parts you buy today will be R134a-compatible.
I've found a company that sells an Enviroment refrigerant that can be used for either syatem.
You're probably talking about "Envirosafe". That is a hydrocarbon refrigerant, a blend of propane and isobutane. (Obviously quite flammable.) At the federal level it is illegal to use in an R12a AC system but, curiously, not illegal to use in an R134a system. There may also be state laws in your jurisdiction regulating the use of such refrigerants.
Your best bet would be to do a proper conversion to R134a. This requires that all the old mineral oil be flushed out of the system since it is not compatible. Ester oil is usually used in these conversions since it tolerates small amounts of mineral oil that may be left better than the PAG oil in OEM R134a systems.
You're already planning to replace the compressor and should also replace the drier. R134a operates at higher pressures so this would also be a good time to replace 33-year-old hoses. Here's a general guide on the conversion process:
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/car-projects/how-to-convert-r-12-refrigerant-to-r-134a
There are also youtube videos showing the procedure. With the conversion you will lose about 20% of your cooling capacity.
To stay legal, unless the R12a has already leaked out on its own, you need to have a shop recover the refrigerant before proceeding. It is against federal law to deliberately release refrigerant into the atmosphere.
@chucktobias R-134a is ozone-safe. R-134a is an HFC (hydrofluorcarbon) whereas R12 is a CFC (Chlorofluorcarbon). The chlorine attacks the ozone layer when it gets lofted into the air, and it really doesn't stop until it gets rained out. HFCs don't do that, but their global warming potential is something like 1420x more potent than carbon dioxide.
@justin-shepherd Any "global warming" or "climate change" is due to the forces of nature, not human-emitted CO2 (which is not a pollutant) or even HFCs. I'm just letting the OP know that deliberately venting refrigerant is illegal. Whether the law makes any sense is a different matter, but it is still the law nonetheless. As a practical matter, over time it's all going to wind up in the atmosphere anyway due to leaks and accidents.
@chucktobias Carbon dioxide isn't. Any time you exhale, you're breathing out carbon dioxide. Any form of combustion releases carbon dioxide. It's actually interesting that the same general reactions occur in our bodies, but there's obviously no flame. Haha. Climate change is real, but it's been totally misconstrued. Leo DiCaprio is so full of himself, he can lecture us about global warming, while flying around on his private jet that sucks enough gas during one trip to fuel 100+ cars at a time. So arrogant.
@justin-shepherd Climate change is "real" to the extent that it is the earth's natural cycle. We have virtually nothing to do with it and certainly cannot control it. However as I said this is not the place for an in-depth discussion of the issue, the details are out there if interested. To get back on topic, if there is any R12 left in the AC system when the conversion is done the owner really needs to pay a shop a few bucks to evacuate the stuff before starting, to stay legal if nothing else.