Mark Lue

Until recently Duracool kits were the only DIY AC kits available in Canada, Canadian Tire stores now carry the complete line of a product called Redtek 12a that is compatible with both R12 and 134a refrigerants.

I hope this will help someone out.

frexe

cool! what does the kit include? And how much does it cost? I want to order a kit to the states since we "cant" use r12 here anymore.

NeoRules

You can use FR12 which is R134 and some other additives to make it R12 oil compatible...
The problem is that it is more flammable then regular R12 but not much more as it is the oil in R12 that is flammable. I just purchased some at $10 a can...
sometimes it is called Freeze 12....
A regular size can only has 9.6oz of stuff in it as it cools better than R12 or R134 by itself??...
But yes it is flammable but I haven't heard of a single case of problems... It is legal in VA so it must be ok...

Andy1212

How many cans does it take to fill the entire system?

Randy_J

I've done several cars with Freeze 12 and it WORKS... my 968 and 944 N/A blow really cold now - 48F!!! Easy to do too. I usually put in 1 can for a near complete charge. Check out http://www.es-refrigerants.com/ for the proper amount to use. Their kits come with a pretty decent gauge, so the fill is easy (except for reaching that darn fill valve under the car right on the compressor!! What a great design idea....)

Best thing about Freeze 12 is you don't have to pull a vacumn. Filled the 968 2 years ago and it still blows cold on hot humid days. Now if I could only get the evaporator drain unclogged!

marky522

What i dont understand is why use all these blends when 134a will get colder, and wont cause issues in the future?

Mark

bader$

I agree. Most of the oil available now are compatable with both r12 and r134a. If you take your car to get the ac serviced no one will touch it with the blends in them. The biggest down side of 134 is that it leaks out easier so you have to make sure you replace all the o-rings.

marky522

Just an FYI Porsche does not say that it is necessary to replace all seals in the system, while im sure it helps it is not required, the only ones it says to replace are the seals disturbed while doing a proper conversion, like compressor seals, accumulator seals etc.

Mark

David Floyd

Really ??? Even if the system has been open for say a compressor change ?

bader$

The seals on most of our cars is old technology (Yea I know rubber) the newer seals are teflon coated and stand up to the pressure, vibration and chemical properties better than the old seals. Not to mention the old seals may have hardened. The most important thing to do when the system has been opened is to vacuum it for at least 10-15 min. to remove none condensable gases (read air) and moisture which can freeze in the expansion valve and cause irregular cooling. If the system has been opened for quite some time than the dryer and I would recommend the expansion valve should be replaced also. The dryer contains a dessicant that absorbs any left over moisture in the system and left open for an extend period can become full of moisture and then burst when the system is operated again stopping up the expansion valve or even some condensers and damaging a new compressor.

GodSpeed

Wiat hold on a sec, why do you need a/c in canada? I figured most canadiens just run full heat 24/7.

Randy_J

GLOBAL WARMING has arrived!

Wallace

Reviving an old thread.

I went to Canadian Tire and asked for Redtek or any kind of AC refill kit, and the useless auto parts guy looked at me as if I was crazy.

...and this was the brand new HUGE one on Cambie.

Should I try another Canadian Tire, or Lordco maybe?
I hate the service at Canadian Tire. It's like they have no knowledge of cars at all....just knowledge of how to punch something in to a computer.
And often the service at Lordco is no better, except it comes with a condescending tone and rude remark.

Anywho, just trying to get ready for summer, and get my A/C blowing cold.

Luis de Prat

Don't know if it's available in Canada, but while living in the U.S. I used this kit that cost US$35 from Walmart with great results:

Interdynamics R134a Retrofit & Charging Kit

KuHL 951

I think you are mistaken. R-134a does not get colder in a converted R-12 system at all and that is one of the biggest gripes people have with a R-12 to 134a conversion. It runs at higher pressure and is less efficient than R-12, Freeze 12, and Duracool. It might blow colder on a system originally designed for it but I doubt it. Nothing beats R-12 for idling in traffic on a hot day when air flow over the condensor is limited. And yes I have converted several systems.