I currently need to recharge the AC in my 1988 Volvo 240DL, I took it to the shop to drain whatever R12 was left because it is illegal for me to handle R12 in California and probably the rest in the US. Anyways, I don't want to bother converting and I heard most of the time the r134a when running on a converted r12 system puts a lot of stress on the compressor so I was looking at some r12 alternatives like enviro-safe and was wondering if anyone has gave it a try at it or other alternatives.

 

I refilled my 240 ('91) with Duracool. It is also known as HC-12. I've had good results, although I totally re-built my system, and didn't have quite enough to totally fill it. I have more now, but haven't had time to fill it. My car has an R-12 system like yours. I don't honestly know the results yet, though because I've not got it totally full. I did get it full enough to run, and it worked fine on all except the hottest days. That will probably be fixed when I get more coolant into the system.

I also filled a '97 Dodge Ram with it. It was an R-134a system, and it worked great on that--i put the proper amount into it. Duracool has a website, and you can get it from there.

Also... I converted a '89 740T over to 134a a number of years ago, with very disappointing results. My experience is that the HC-12 works better than the r-134a.

I actually have a whole thread on the process i went thorugh on my 240.

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...entures-71258/

Post #16 or so might be the part that would be useful to you.

Enjoy.

 

Thank you, I will definitely look into it!

 

do be aware, those duracool, hc12 etc formulas are butane/propane mixes. they are not legal for use in motor vehicle air conditioning systems, but I suspect that's largely due to the lobbying of the fluorocarbon industry... butane+propane are vastly cheaper than any HFC.

 

I have used Freeze12 in R12 systems with good results. Last I put it in a '92 940 three years ago, and it's still doing its job. I just filled up the system with three 8 oz cans, and it's been good ever since

 

Thank you for the information, I will keep that in mind.

 

Freon and the like are flammable under pressure interestingly enough. But when it comes down to what is freakishly explosive, the winner is a gas tank 1/4 the way full. Oh I love how the laws are meant to protect me.

 

better, when you burn freon, it makes some kinda super-toxic phosgene nerve gas :-O

 

nerve gas, eh? sounds like a good time.

 

I've used the over-the-counter R-134 from the auto parts store and have had no issues.

My car has not been converted.

Works fine. Going on 2 years now.