My air conditioner in my 2015 Corolla has over the years being getting less effective and upon turing it on this Summer for the first time It was not working. I watched some videos about recharging my AC system with 134a. I tried to purchase 134a refigerant but was told you cannot and 12a is compatable. Just as said on the can. I hooked the can up and registered about 15psi and added the whole can up to 32psi and it blows cold. I go back online and they are saying 134a must be completly evacuated before adding 12a. Is this correct? And what should I now do?
your loyal fan
Todd
I tried to purchase 134a refigerant but was told you cannot and 12a is compatable.
Huh? Who told you that? Where did you find R12a? That stuff has not been used in cars since the mid-1990s and is no longer manufactured. Also the service ports are completely different between R12a and R134a. How did you even hook the can up? What kind of a gauge set did you use?
Heck, you need a license to buy any remaining stock of R12a legitimately if you could even find any. (I have the license but have not used it in a very long time.)
And what should I now do?
R12 is not compatible with R134a or the oil used. If you really put R12a in that system you are on track to destroy the compressor and the rest of your AC system and need to evacuate the system, flush all the old oil out, then install a new drier along with the correct amount of PAG oil and R134a refrigerant for your AC system. In the meantime disconnect the compressor clutch if your compressor has one to prevent it from engaging.
If you are unfamiliar with working on AC, which appears to be the case from your narrative, It would be best to take your vehicle to an automotive HVAC expert who actually knows how to work on air conditioning.
R-12 refrigerant (I don't know what R-12a is) was banned in the 90's . It's very expensive and hard to find, so I'm surprised you even managed. Either way, there's absolutely no way it belongs in your 2015 vehicle.
I tried to purchase 134a refigerant but was told you cannot
I think you were told wrong. I had some put in my vehicle last year.
@imperator R12 == R12a. I don't even see how this situation is possible. You'd really have to go far out of your way to do this.
@chucktobias I can't find ANY reference to "R-12a". Only "R-12". It invented by Thomas Midgley in 1928 while working for General Motors and Dupont. (He also came up with tetraethyllead fuel additive). He called it "freon" (brand name) but generically it was named R-12 according to Dupont's R- numbering system for refrigerants . There were substitutes , such as HC-12a which killed people because it was flammable.
I can't find ANY reference to "R-12a". Only "R-12".
I have thought of them being the same for a long time, but searching it looks like the R-12a product was actually an aftermarket R-12 replacement that came out shortly after R-12 was banned. Those mostly used propane and isobutane. (!!) This was all decades ago. Memory is the second thing to go. (I don't remember what the first thing is.)
So, if the original post refers to one of those aftermarket refrigerants having been used that would explain how it was obtained and installed but that stuff still needs to be purged out of the AC system and replaced with R134a.
I tried to purchase 134a refigerant but was told you cannot and 12a is compatable.
Now that @imperator has jogged my memory that R12a is actually an aftermarket concoction of gases meant to replace the banned refrigerant, that explains how you were able to obtain it and use it. However my statement that your AC system needs to be purged and recharged with R134a stands.
Although you really should have an expert do the required work you're going to have a problem finding a shop that will be willing to work with your system now that it has been compromised. (Their equipment will only be compatible with R134a, the new R1234yf, and possibly R12 if it's an old shop.)
You did not state where you are located but in the U.S. R134a is readily available at auto parts stores and even at WalMart. (The latter usually has the best price on the stuff.)