Guest Bill Putney Posted October 21, 2002 Share Posted October 21, 2002 Thanks for the comments, Rick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hondasucks Posted October 21, 2002 Share Posted October 21, 2002 I think R12 will only kill ya if it is exposed to an open flame -- turns into a deadly nerve gas.. Although too much of anything that isn't air in your lungs will kill you or injure your lungs/brain etc... so it's a good idea to be safe, wear your safety goggles and work outside or in a well ventilated garage. (i.e., door open) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest subarubrat Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 Good old COCl2 (Phosgene) I worked with this a bit. I served as a Nuke-Bio-Chem warfare specialist in the Army. That is what you produce when you burn refrigerant. The result is that it reacts with the moisture in your lungs to release hydrochloric acid, the release of hydrochloric acid in the lungs causes pulmonary edema and may also cause bronchial pneumonia and lung abscesses. In other words, you smell some new mown hay, then you cough a little and feel fine. A few hours to days later your lungs fill with fluid because the membranes have been burned away and you drown in your own fluid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RickOregon Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 Some of the potential hazards for retrofitting or working on the A/C have been mentioned. Bottom line with this work as I see it (or any work we do for that matter) is to be aware of the potential health and safety risks before starting a project. Then work to reduce any potential for accidents and the resulting consequences. Banging my knuckles is one thing, killing myself or someone else is another story entirely. One thing I was taught when I took flying lessons years ago was "situational awareness". Be alert to your surroundings and aware of situations that can be harmful. And I try to learn from my mistakes. We all make them, but mistakes are teachers and what they teach is helpful in shaping how we do things in the future. Also, I try to learn from *other* person's mistakes, and if there's a potential problem to alert it to the people I know. That said, I'd like to thank those of you who provided some safety and health-related insights on this specific thread in addition to the helpful project advice. It shows you're concerned not only about your own life, but the lives of others. Good job! Take care, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mybrat Posted October 28, 2002 Share Posted October 28, 2002 I enjoyed reading all the posts on this subj. and learned a lot. My 86 brat's AC was not working when I purchased it last spring. I took it to an experienced shop with a good reputation. He recommended AGAINST going to the RU change. Said the AC is just marginal anyway and the RU is even less efficient. A second opinion said same thing. Cost about $140 to recharge with the old type freon. And cooling is just barely adequate. I plan go keep it going that way as long as it will cool, but am encouraged that the kits might do the job. Thanks. Any comments? Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest baccaruda Posted October 29, 2002 Share Posted October 29, 2002 when the newer refrigerant came out, there was a lot of dissatisfaction with it, for that reason: not as cold. Turns out that you need LESS R134 than you do R12, but "everyone" was putting as MUCH R134 as they did R12, so it didn't work as well. If you fill with the proper, lesser amount of R134, it will blow as cold or colder than R12... but this bad information is still very widespread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WAWalker Posted October 30, 2002 Share Posted October 30, 2002 Just wanted to comment on buying R12 on Ebay. I tried to sell a R12 A/C machine on Ebay (No R12 included), they ended the auction. Wouldn't even let me sell the equipment to evac. & recharge R12 systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest myxalplyx Posted November 6, 2002 Share Posted November 6, 2002 I tried the retrofit on my XT6 and I haven't been successful yet. The car seems to blow colder for a moment but then it's back to normal (warm). It'll even blow warm when the low pressure side gauge is where it's supposed to be. ?????? There is a glass window 'thingy' on the passenger side near the front that seems connected to the A/C system somewhat. You can see the refrigerant in there dancing around so I know it's in the system. I never noticed and leaks visually, 'cept the fitting on the low pressure side. I would cap it off to stop the leak but still a little would come out.. After a day or two, my system ends up empty again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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