Two quotes for A/C Problem

[mblzzy]

Hi guys,

Please help.

The A/C system in my Camry 1992 seems to be out of order. It is blowing warm wind. That had been happening gradually.

I called two A/C specialists for fixing, coming up with two different quotes.

(1) Still use R12.
$40 (recharging service) + $115 (price for R12).

(2) Switch to R134a.
- It would cost about $500.
- Only diagnose to see if there is a leak in the A/C? $150.

What do you think?

Barry

[funboy102]

what is the difference between R12 and R134a ?

[atobe]

R12 is the older one that leaks into the air and pollutes it's been outlawed to make new cars that uses it but you can keep using it.

R134a is the newer one that doesn't leak so 1 fill should pretty much last forever unless you got a leak in the system

i don't know about those prices though i got my gen2 r12 refilled for only 35$ and it was empty cause my dumb ass leaked it all out

[Brujo]

I would continue calling and look for better estimates. Find the best estimate to get it tested first and then find the best estimate for a refill.

[chronoti]

ummmm r12 does not leak on it's own no gas leaks on it own it just has a higher cfc count and they out lawed it because of that r134a doesnt have an AS HIGH cfc count (still does have cfc's). look for an earlier post where they talk about using another gas called freeze 12 thats a drop in replacement for 12 i guess (i never used it) i from what was said that freeze 12 is a better replacement R134a to work in the same manner that r12 did would need a larger condenser. and you have to fully change over to r134a if you go that way or else the gas will go bad and cause much more damage to your system. oh and from what they said i guess you can go to the local part store and get this freeze 12.

[Nico]

Freeze 12 and other similar products are in fact not really the best option. They are made of 75% R134, the rest being other different gaz, including r12. The disadvantage is that all these molecules not having the same density some of them will leave the system before others (r134 especially being a thiner molecule) making a very instable system. This process will be even more quick if you leave current (r12) o-rings (as freeze 12 recommends to do so). It could result in big dammage to your system and furthermore this product being recent no one knows if it will be still available in a few years which could bring you back at stage 1.
My advice would be :
1) you only want to keep your car for 1, 2 or 3 years : just refill with r12, pay the price and that's all (but you won't be able to refill it yourself...)
2) You want to keep the car for some more time : make the R134 conversion (with a "r134 retrofit kit") : new o-rings, new oil and 2 adapters on low / high ports. It should take you +/- 2 hours to do it yourself, won't be too expensive and it will be done once for all, plus you'll be allowed to recharge it yourself.
And as for the quotes you got they are quite common : these guys do charge A LOT of money for not much
I hope this helps