RE: [DML] Re: recharging my R-12 system with R-416A (another update on #2613)

["Tom Tait" <TTait@xxxxxxxxxx>]

To find the leak you can add UV dye.  Easy to find for 134a systems, but it should be compatible with R12 if you find the right fittings.  I'd put in a small charge of dye before your next refill, then when it runs low again, get the blacklight and goggles and hunt around for the leak, it should be visible.

At that point you should have the system professionally evacuated, fix the offending leak, and any other seals that worry you, suck the system down to a good vacuum, test for leaks, and refill.

Tom


-----Original Message-----
From: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Elvis
Sent: Sun 4/27/2008 1:07 AM
To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [DML] Re: recharging my R-12 system with R-416A (another update on #2613)
 
Farrar - I always use R413a which is meant for substituting R12, too.

but the system is anything but empty as long as the compressor even 
turns on, there is at least 50% still in there !!!
normally they refill about 1 pound on my car - which, if I remember 
correctly, is only 1/3. So this is far away from free of coolant...


Is there a special place on the system which tends to leak most ?
first I had to refill it every 2 years, now it needed a refill 
after only a few months. who has experience with it ?

Elvis & 6548



> Gang,
> 
> Despite the fact that the can says "To be used by EPA certified 
> personnel only," I picked up two cans of R-416A yesterday. (a.k.a. 
FR-12.)
> 
> Since my A/C clutch cycles once every few seconds and the air 
coming out 
> is as warm as when I merely use the vent, I believe I can safely 
assume 
> that the system is free of coolant.
> 
> In the DML archive there are posts which say "mixing refrigerants 
is 
> dangerous" and others which say "it's not dangerous, but 
technicians 
> won't touch your car if you mix refrigerants." The guy at NAPA who 
has 
> worked on my other car for years says that I can put FR-12 into a 
system 
> with a tiny amount of R-12 in it and have no ill effects.
> 
> My car has NOT undergone a conversion to R-134A. Even if there is 
any 
> R-12 left in the system, it can't be that much, since the a/c 
clutch 
> engages so many times per minute.
> 
> So following the fuel distributor O-ring replacement (which should 
be 
> fine now that the car has been sitting for the better part of a 
week -- 
> assuming I can find torque specs for the silly M5 bolts), I will 
fire up 
> the car and charge the system with R-416A as my next task in 
preparation 
> for Gettysburg. :) Just for a change, the list of things to do on 
the 
> car is getting shorter not longer ... heh.
> 
> Cheers,
> Farrar Hudkins
> #2613 (auto)
>





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