I didn't want to hijack Nick's thread, so started this one. Both I and a friend are having some issues with our R12 systems. After considerable research, I would like to try going to a duracool conversion. I've found an installer in Victoria who has experience with this. Anyone know of an installer somewhere in the lower mainland of B.C. who has worked with duracool?
HDJ81 Duracool retrofit-lower mainland BC
- Thread starter Martin White
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Never done in my rigs .. but I found this interesting stuff ..
http://www.coolearthinc.com/faq.htm
http://www.deepfreezeinc.ca/faq.htm
http://www.coolearthinc.com/faq.htm
http://www.deepfreezeinc.ca/faq.htm
Martin White said:
Hi Martin
I have to have my R12 evacuated so I can change out my heater core, so am looking at options too. Dolphin on Hwy#11 (by Lou's Grill) seems heads up. Have you had contact with them and are they willing to check out a new system? We've used Skips on King Rd to evacuate systems before parting out as they have a mobile evacuation system, and I will contact them in the next week to see if they have any interest in trying duracool.
hth's
gb
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Thanks Greg. That's extremely helpful. I'm off for a few days now so I'll look into this tomorrow and let you know what I find out.
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You must have done that while I was running around this afternoon! I went to Skips also, negative on duracool! Same with Dolphin. But Gerrys Auto up in Matsqui Village does both duracool and redtec. I'm going with duracool because it's a Canadian product. Appointment for truck is Tuesday. I'll let you know how it goes. They are saying around 300 bucks if no other work is required. I'm really happy about this because I want to avoid the pressure problems of converting an R12 designed system to R134.
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I found out yesterday that Mike is running Redtec. Pretty much the same as duracool. I'll keep you posted.
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Update: They have the whole system checked now, and let me know there is a small leak at the condensor. They told me it would "probably" be ok to keep it and use a sealant, but I'd rather err on the side of caution so they're going to replace that part. Apparently, there are several aftermarket companies who make very high quality parts that carry the same warranty as OEM or in some cases better, which is the way I went. I was told the system is overall in excellent shape, with no other leaks anywhere. They're going to use Redtec as they tell me it's more widely sourced and supported, and the composition is basically the same as duratech. I'll update once I get the truck back and try it out. Planning on heading to the Okanagan this weekend so it should be a good workout for the system.
Duracool is fully compatible with r12 and r134a. Because an a/c system only requires 1/3 the amout of duracool vs r12, I think you are wasting your time and money flushing your entire system.
Here's what you do. Go to KMS tools in abbotsford, and right now they have a special on a duracool DIY kit including all adapters and fittings, plus two 6oz bottles of duracool (remember 6oz is the same as 1 lb of r12) all for $70 plus tax. (normally $80)
I just did my toyota previa the other day, it took 20 minutes. I added it to the low pressure inlet valve, and it blows ICE ICE COLD. It blows colder than any r134a retrofit I've ever seen.
Total cost = $70 + tax.
I know that legally you are supposed to drain your current fluid. Trust me, I've asked several mechanics. It is a waste of time and money to do this. Duracool is completely safe, and an organic product and has higher combustbility point than r12, yet is fully safe and compatible to just add it to your current system.
I'm extremely happy with the results I got on my system.
Here's what you do. Go to KMS tools in abbotsford, and right now they have a special on a duracool DIY kit including all adapters and fittings, plus two 6oz bottles of duracool (remember 6oz is the same as 1 lb of r12) all for $70 plus tax. (normally $80)
I just did my toyota previa the other day, it took 20 minutes. I added it to the low pressure inlet valve, and it blows ICE ICE COLD. It blows colder than any r134a retrofit I've ever seen.
Total cost = $70 + tax.
I know that legally you are supposed to drain your current fluid. Trust me, I've asked several mechanics. It is a waste of time and money to do this. Duracool is completely safe, and an organic product and has higher combustbility point than r12, yet is fully safe and compatible to just add it to your current system.
I'm extremely happy with the results I got on my system.
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- #13
Arbetrader, I really appreciate your post, and that you're trying to save me some cash, but I'd rather get the system fully checked out so I know for sure what's going on. Even duracool's website suggests a pretty thorough clean and flush, as does Redtec. I have also talked to a large number of a/c specialists, and I'm not hearing quite the same thing that a full service is a waste of money. There is no doubt that there are some system problems that would be solved by what you suggest, but if you have a large leak, the sealants aren't going to solve the problem. Also, once a leak starts, pressures start to go up and can cause other problems. As I said, I would rather be sure, or at least as sure as I can be.
Like I said, if you want years of trouble free service, it's best to get it professionally serviced and flushed, and perhaps even a retrofit done (r134a). The problem is, that it can be very expensive. If you want a cheap fix that (It should last at least a year, but it could last a lot longer - no guarantees) do what I did, otherwise, if it helps you sleep better at night, do it the right way and get it done properly.
The thing you have to remember is that there USUALLY are no big leaks. A/C units don't leak that way. Normally the coolant escapes due to the expanding and contracting of the seals due to the temperature differences they are subjected to. Most people think that if their a/c systems suddenly don't blow cold at all, it's because one day there was a big leak, but that's in most cases not true... it's b/c the cooling system is no longer effective at all if there is less than a certain amount of coolant in it. If it makes you feel better, get it evacuated and rebuilt, or retrofitted, but most retrofitted and rebuilt a/c systems only last no more than a few years anyway before they need to be fixed again. Personally, if I recharge it once a year, it's still cheaper doing this 5 times than having it serviced, and hoping it'll last that same length of time, plus in most cases it wont blow as cold.
Don't forget, you only need 1 bottle for a recharge, and the kit contains 2 bottles, so it's really quite a deal when you consider the cost. $35 per application.
Don't forget, you only need 1 bottle for a recharge, and the kit contains 2 bottles, so it's really quite a deal when you consider the cost. $35 per application.
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- #16
Ok, an update, or rather, a lack of one. It's now Aug 11th and they have run into some challenges. Apparently the fittings on the a/c line are different from Japan vs. N/A units, so they are doing a little creative work for me to make it work with some N/A lines and some fittings. So to this date, I don't have the truck back. It's supposed to be ready today. I have to say the staff at Gerry's Auto have really risen to the challenge and kept me informed about what's going on. They've made a lot of phone calls on my behalf and I've been very impressed. Hopefully, shortly I'll be able to let everyone know how this turned out.
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Just picked up the truck; all done. The shop that worked on it enjoyed the challenge. The air is so cold now I have to turn it down. Very nice, and that's saying something because I like a/c to be cold. So all in all an excellent result. I haven't tried it in high heat yet, but that's coming this week, from what I hear. They also put a sealant in the system at my request (and they say that's a good idea for 4X4's).
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- #18
UPDATE: I've now had a chance to run the a/c in hotter conditions (up to 29C) and the a/c remains EXTREMELY cold. I've had it running continuously for up to 3 hours with no troubles. So all in all, I'm extremely pleased. Granted, not a long term report, but excellent to date.
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- #20
That is a hell of a price. From what I've seen, and for what it's worth. My system is awesome, girlfriend keeps telling me to turn it down! Very, very cold. I'm completely happy.