It’s been difficult to source R12 refrigerant ever since it was banned, and all you can spot is the R134A stocked on the shelves. Could you add R134A to your R12 system? Surely they can’t be that different… what’s the worst that could happen?
Unfortunately, you absolutely cannot mix R134A in an R12 system.
What happens if you put R134A in a R12 system?
R134A should never be added into an R12 system, or you risk spontaneous combustion. You could create an explosion since the molecular structure is completely different. Not only does it damage your vehicle severely, but it is also illegal according to federal law.
It’s pretty straightforward — mixing R134A and R12 is something that you should never do. If you’re curious about the explanation behind it and the risks involved, read the rest of this article where we go into the details.
Table of Contents
What Happens If You Put R134A In A R12 System?
If you put R134A refrigerant in a system designed for R12, the system may not function properly due to the two refrigerants’ different physical and chemical properties. It is important to use the correct type of refrigerant for your system to ensure optimal performance and avoid damaging the system.
How is R134A any Different from R12?
This is an important question that you might be wondering. What makes them so different from each other that they cannot be mixed under any circumstances? They are both refrigerants and play the same part in cooling down your engine and vehicle, but they have a very different molecular chemistry.
R12 is commonly known as Freon and is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). R134A on the other hand is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC). CFCs like R12 is known to have a harmful effect on the ozone layer of the earth, and contribute towards global warming.
R134A, an HFC, is much safer for the environment and is a good replacement for R12. This is also the reason why R12 was banned.
How Can I Purchase R12?
It’s difficult to source R12 since it has been banned for years and is usually in scarcity. You must be certified to purchase R12, and you must also have an R-12 recharge hose that will help you load it into your vehicle. This certification is the EPA 609.
But even apart from the legal jargon, continuing to use R12 has moral obligations. You have to know that all uses of R12 will eventually end up in the atmosphere for a very, very long time and contribute to damaging the earth. You also cannot vent your vehicle. Furthermore, it’s very difficult to find a local repair shop that has all the equipment you need with an R12 system.
What Can Happens If You Put R134A in a R12 System?
As we mentioned, the biggest risk that you would run from mixing R134a and R12 is an explosion. Needless to say, that’s dangerous and completely unnecessary. You can safely avoid this catastrophe by simply not experimenting with combinations that are deemed illegal.
Spontaneous Combustion
If you haven’t professionally cleaned your R12 system, there’s a very high chance that R12 Freon is still inside the system and will come into contact with the R134a as you add it in. This dangerous combination can explode at any point and time, and has done so in the past when people have accidentally or deliberately combined the two refrigerants.
Refrigerant Leaks Easily
Refrigerants have their own unique gaseous states, and their systems are designed to specifically accommodate this. R134a has much smaller molecules and will almost certainly leak if it is placed in an R12 system.
Additionally, the R12 system has lower discharge-side pressures than the R134a, so you will experience compressor seal leaks.
Refrigerant leaks are extremely dangerous, especially if they come into contact in your air and home, and cause poisoning. Since refrigerant is tasteless and odorless, by the time you realize it, it’s too late. Symptoms include difficulty in breathing, vomiting, eyes burning, and skin irritation.
Complications with Mineral Oil
R12 systems use mineral oil, and mineral oil is incompatible with R134a. Once it comes into contact with the mineral oil, it can trap the oil and reduce or cease any heat transfer. As a result, the internal compressor and the entire refrigeration system are corroded and damaged from the inside. You will have to replace the entire system in such a case (but would still be lucky since you escaped an explosion!)
Is R12 illegal?
R12 is not illegal, but mixing it with R134a is.
This is a distinction that should be made clear, since many people assume that R12 itself is an illegal substance, just like a narcotic.
R12 was banned in the 90s which means that there are no longer systems in production that support R12. However, revived cars and vintage cars will obviously still use the R12. In fact, it has complicated the reselling of vintage and limited edition vehicles since an R12 system is looked at as a major liability and headache.
Many people still make do with their R12 systems, and it is definitely not impossible. All you need to do is to certify yourself with EPA 609 so that you can buy and sell this Freon. We cannot endorse or encourage this, however, and doing so undoubtedly comes with a dose of guilt. Any use of R12 damages the ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere.
It is an unnecessary practice in this day and age, especially because it’s so easy to convert your R12 system to an R134a system, and switch over to using R134a without a worry!
How to Convert an R12 to an R134a System?
If we’ve sufficiently scared you away from every mixing of R12 with R134a, don’t worry we’re not going to leave you on that note!
There’s hope, and you can easily convert your R12 to an R134a system. It is the much-preferred alternative over struggling to source R12 and dealing with the guilt of harming the planet!
Here’s how to go about it:
- Clean your R12 system. You will have to get the R12 system professionally cleaned and all the remaining R12 disposed of. Since you can’t just ‘vent’ it out into the air, at the risk of your health and the planet, this has to be done professionally. It will be evacuated into a vacuum.
- Open the engine compartment. It is always wise to wear safety goggles and gloves when dealing with these components of your vehicle.
- Fit the retrofit over the old fitting. It’s easy to source an R134a Retrofit and doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket either. All you do is fit it over the old fitting and tighten it with a wrench.
FAQs
Is R134A compatible with R12?
You should never mix R134A with an R12 system, as it can lead to spontaneous combustion due to their different molecular structures. It can significantly damage your vehicle and is also illegal under federal law, posing a serious safety risk.
What refrigerant is compatible with R12?
R12-compatible refrigerants are those designed to work as substitutes for the original R12 Freon. However, it has been phased out due to its ozone-depleting properties. A widely accepted alternative is R134A, although your AC system requires a complete retrofit to use it.
How much R134A should I put in my R12 system?
You need 80-90% of the original R12 capacity when adding R134A to your system. You first need to flush the system to add it to your system. After it’s fully flushed, convert the R12 system to accept the R134A refrigerant through the process of retrofitting. It involves replacing the accumulator or receiver-drier, the expansion valve or orifice tube, and the O-rings.
What happens if you put the wrong refrigerant in your car?
Using the wrong refrigerant in your car can lead to poor cooling performance, increased system pressure, potential damage to A/C components, and even pose safety risks. Using the correct refrigerant specified for your vehicle is crucial to ensure optimal operation and prevent costly repairs.
Conclusion
Mixing R134a in an R12 system is a big no-no, and we hope that we dissuade you from ever trying this dangerous combination.
You’re left with two options — to source R12 after getting an EPA609 certification from the internet and damage the planet, or to make the easy switch to R134a by cleaning out your R12 system and getting an R134a retrofit. We hope you’ll make the right decision!
