Recharged my A/C with Freeze-12
06-28-2011, 11:01 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Recharged my A/C with Freeze-12
so I recharged my A/C system with Freeze-12. its sold as a R-12 direct replacement. I figured this would be a better alternative than switching over to R-134a.
Interestingly, I learned that Freeze 12 is 70-90% 1,1,1,2 tetrafluoroethane according to the MSDS, which is exactly what R-134a is! but it is also blended with something else to supposedly make it more compatible with mineral oil lubricants, which is ONE of the issues with retrofitting R-134a into R12 systems.
regardless, the kit i got off ebay came with 2 12oz cans, and 1 2 oz can of extra oil, and a R-12 hose kit. No extra fittings needed because the R-12 hose kit has a clamp that SORTA works with the top of the Freeze-12 can, and fits right onto the stock AC hose valve. there are multiple warnings to only fill on the "LOW SIDE" valve, but its not clear which valve is the low side, not even after reading the honda manual as it describes it as the "suction hose", but apparently its the one with the larger hose and pointed upwards. make sure you take off the black rubber grommet underneath the valve cap. it will only get in the way, but dont forget to put it back under the valve cap to seal it better when youre all done.
it took a bit of finagling to make it all work properly. you basically put all the fittings together and make sure everything is tight, run the AC, screw the needle down to puncture the can, then you must screw it back to release the contents, holding the can upside down.
the results are a colder A/C system! im happy for now. im dubious of the longevity of it. but with 300k miles on the car already, im not too concerned. i paid $55 for the kit on Ebay. i do now wish i got the kit with a gauge so I at least know if I over filled or need more. but the honda specs say 2 lbs of refrigerant is all thats needed, and two 12 oz cans come to 1.5lbs. also, i think if i were to do it again, i'd pay more and get the freeze-12 specific hose and get the adapter fitting to make it all easier and less messy. that R12 hose was way too janky.
feel free to bump this if you are reading this later and want an update.
Interestingly, I learned that Freeze 12 is 70-90% 1,1,1,2 tetrafluoroethane according to the MSDS, which is exactly what R-134a is! but it is also blended with something else to supposedly make it more compatible with mineral oil lubricants, which is ONE of the issues with retrofitting R-134a into R12 systems.
regardless, the kit i got off ebay came with 2 12oz cans, and 1 2 oz can of extra oil, and a R-12 hose kit. No extra fittings needed because the R-12 hose kit has a clamp that SORTA works with the top of the Freeze-12 can, and fits right onto the stock AC hose valve. there are multiple warnings to only fill on the "LOW SIDE" valve, but its not clear which valve is the low side, not even after reading the honda manual as it describes it as the "suction hose", but apparently its the one with the larger hose and pointed upwards. make sure you take off the black rubber grommet underneath the valve cap. it will only get in the way, but dont forget to put it back under the valve cap to seal it better when youre all done.
it took a bit of finagling to make it all work properly. you basically put all the fittings together and make sure everything is tight, run the AC, screw the needle down to puncture the can, then you must screw it back to release the contents, holding the can upside down.
the results are a colder A/C system! im happy for now. im dubious of the longevity of it. but with 300k miles on the car already, im not too concerned. i paid $55 for the kit on Ebay. i do now wish i got the kit with a gauge so I at least know if I over filled or need more. but the honda specs say 2 lbs of refrigerant is all thats needed, and two 12 oz cans come to 1.5lbs. also, i think if i were to do it again, i'd pay more and get the freeze-12 specific hose and get the adapter fitting to make it all easier and less messy. that R12 hose was way too janky.
feel free to bump this if you are reading this later and want an update.
06-28-2011, 01:40 PM
#3
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Re: Recharged my A/C with Freeze-12
Crap I never tought about looking online for R-12. I ended up removing all of the a/c system since all I could find was R-134a. Its too late to try to get it back because I took off EVERYTHING. Windows down is the best I can do :/
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