R12 Freon - Shipping and Refill

[pumbaatx]

I see all over the place that R12 can be shipped via ground transportation through USPS as long as the package contains proper labeling and "the buyer is an EPA-certified recipient or that the resale of the freon is going to a certified end-user." My question is around shipping it to myself; there is no buyer or re-sale. My grandfather in Alabama has 3 lbs that he will give me to fill up my cruiser in Texas. I will be flying, so I can't take it with me when I visit for Christmas.

When I bought the vehicle earlier this year, the PO said the A/C was drained when the engine was rebuilt, but he never got around to filling it back up because he lived in the desert mountains in Las Vegas and there was no point in having A/C. All that to say, I believe the system should not have any leaks, but I plan to test it before refilling with CFC refrigerant which is not too friendly to the ozone layer.

 

[Spike Strip]

I'm not sure I see a question, but if it's about shipping R12 to yourself, just put the cans in a flat-rate box, pack well, and ship. Whaddaya worried about? Robert Mueller coming to get you?

 

[pumbaatx]

That's what I see a lot of people say. I guess I was just wondering about declaring what's inside when I tell them it has to be shipped ground only.

 

[John Staton]

ask for forgiveness, not permission....

 

[Spike Strip]

Put in box, pay for shipping on-line at USPS.com - if they ask, say autoparts.

 

[MrMacdugal]

Or buy a reciever drier, 2 conversion fittings for the compressor and the hose... or go to cool cruisers and buy the kit. Then fill with R134 and have reliability or peace of mind that if you have problems, its as easy as finding and repairing the leak before putting in readily available refrigerant again.

 

[pumbaatx]

I was waiting for that comment! I think that solution is going to have to be a backup if I find that the A/C system has leaks. I just don't have the money for it right now.

 

[MrMacdugal]

Instead of buying the kit, you can go to you local auto store and buy new conversion/fill ports from 12 to 134. I bought new ones for like $7.00 and just replace your drier with one with a sight glass for around $30.00
Or dont replace the drier and just go for the refill with new fill ports... Schrader valves
It will probably work, but dont quote me on that.
Depress the high and low valves to let out old R12 like letting out air from your tires. Do it privately....

 

[TexasBlue]

Instead of buying the kit, you can go to you local auto store and buy new conversion/fill ports from 12 to 134. I bought new ones for like $7.00 and just replace your drier with one with a sight glass for around $30.00
Or dont replace the drier and just go for the refill with new fill ports... Schrader valves
It will probably work, but dont quote me on that.
Depress the high and low valves to let out old R12 like letting out air from your tires. Do it privately....

Little more to do than that. If you are going to change freon from R12 to R134, may I suggest that you should clean out the system, bring it down and see if it holds vacuum for 20 minutes at least. You do not want to mix refrigerant oil from R12 with oil for R134, they are not compatible with one another.

If you stay R12, try CL Austin or San Antonio. You may be able to pick up a few cans 12 or 14 oz for $ 20 to 30 a piece. I did that here on DFW area. I recharge 1 can every spring and have cold AC for all season. Try garage sales, I picked up 3 cans that way. Good luck on what you do. And let us know how it goes.

 

[Wayne Jacobs]

I really doubt that 3 lbs of R12 is going to do you much good. Where will you get more to fully charge the system if it is indeed empty?

 

[TexasBlue]

Takes a out 2.5 cans from empty if I recall correctly.

 

[NearJetties]

I did a bunch of work resealing my system
And recharging with r12 only to have it leak somewhere new.

I’m going to try envirosafe next. People have had good luck on the 80s forum. It’s hydrocarbon based which was I wasn’t sure about but actually found out the new replacement for r134a is too.

RedTEK vs EnviroSafe refrigerant

If you do ship the r12 make sure it goes by ground. UPS is the better option. I think USPS you can’t ship it at all. Unless you’re certified and have it packed professionally/labeled you’re still technically breaking the regs though.

 

[Willard]

Yep ship via ground. Every can I bought was shipped via ground. the FSM has the correct weight for a refill from dead empty. 2.5 cans is about right on the smaller cans. Large cans about 1.75-2.

Just a comment it costs about $520 to rebuild the AC without new lines (if yours are ok).
This includes:
Reman's compressor
Dryer
Expansion valve
O-rings
Evap core
Condenser

You are going to have to do the dryer at the bare minimum and you will absolutely have to vacuum the system. (good vacuum pump can

So if you have the funds, do it right once and then you do not have to look back for some time. It will also give you a chance to make sure the Evap core box is not cracked or leaking (water all over the passenger side).

Also make sure your drain for the Evap box is connected (just pushes on)

I did mine in about 4 hours end to end and I took my time.

 

[86aggie]

I shipped hazmat in a previous life.

Package it securely and label the outside 'consumer commodity' on two sides in block lettering. Ship via UPS. Want to see an example? Go to HD or Lowe's and look at the labeling on the boxes that cans of spray paint come in.

 

[TonyP]

I've purchased new old stock R12 for my BMW on ebay on multiple occasions. It came in a regular usps box, no hazdec, no special labels, no nothing. Never had any problems.

 

[TexasBlue]

Just checked your Austin CL. Someone in Edna, TX is offering (5) 12oz. Cans of R12 for 150.00. May give them a call and offer little less with cash. That will charge it and give you some extra.

 

[pumbaatx]

Yep ship via ground. Every can I bought was shipped via ground. the FSM has the correct weight for a refill from dead empty. 2.5 cans is about right on the smaller cans. Large cans about 1.75-2.

Just a comment it costs about $520 to rebuild the AC without new lines (if yours are ok).
This includes:
Reman's compressor
Dryer
Expansion valve
O-rings
Evap core
Condenser

You are going to have to do the dryer at the bare minimum and you will absolutely have to vacuum the system. (good vacuum pump can

So if you have the funds, do it right once and then you do not have to look back for some time. It will also give you a chance to make sure the Evap core box is not cracked or leaking (water all over the passenger side).

Also make sure your drain for the Evap box is connected (just pushes on)

I did mine in about 4 hours end to end and I took my time.

@Willard do you happen to have your shopping list handy with part numbers? I picked up the refrigerant a while back on a roadtrip so I could avoid shipping all together. I know I need a new compressor and clutch. I'll probably end up getting a new drier and evap core at the minimum.

Does anyone know if I can vacuum test the system with a bad compressor clutch? I'd like to know my lines are good before I buy $500 of parts.

 

[joebattle1]

Yep ship via ground. Every can I bought was shipped via ground. the FSM has the correct weight for a refill from dead empty. 2.5 cans is about right on the smaller cans. Large cans about 1.75-2.

Just a comment it costs about $520 to rebuild the AC without new lines (if yours are ok).
This includes:
Reman's compressor
Dryer
Expansion valve
O-rings
Evap core
Condenser

You are going to have to do the dryer at the bare minimum and you will absolutely have to vacuum the system. (good vacuum pump can

So if you have the funds, do it right once and then you do not have to look back for some time. It will also give you a chance to make sure the Evap core box is not cracked or leaking (water all over the passenger side).

Also make sure your drain for the Evap box is connected (just pushes on)

I did mine in about 4 hours end to end and I took my time.

What he said...^^^ I just did the same. I still run r12. I did all the work replacing and resealing the old system then found an ac guy to evap and refill with the right amount of oil/r12. Cost me a pretty penny for the AC guy just to do that but that’s cause I live in the land of sh:t cost to much.

Like someone else mentioned... UPS ground... “auto parts” and keep it movin...

 

[Spike Strip]

 

[joebattle1]

View attachment 2027864

Spike,
Is this current? Rex doesn't work there anymore. I got a lot of my stuff direct from him but he works elsewhere now. Those people at Cool Cruisers don't have a clue about US anymore. I spoke to a dude on the phone and he'd never heard of Mud. Then Rex gave us the skinny on the place in another thread. Old owner was murdered. Big outfit bought the place. Rex moved to another place.