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Wed Apr 03, 2024 3:46 pm

scotty timmerman wrote: …I looked at getting RedTek or Enviro-safe but even those could not be shipped to Washington…
Time to make a friend, or rent an outstate PO box with a forwarding order…???

(PS: I was never here)

:wink:

- Dave

Thu Apr 04, 2024 2:20 pm

Hey Skills:

I agree with the move away from ozone-depleting Freon-type refrigerants, especially in automotive AC systems which, I assume, are the leakiest of all AC and refrigeration systems. RedTek and all the other hydrocarbon-based refrigerants are free of ozone-depleting chemicals. The person charged with importing ozone-depleting freon from Mexico was not importing or smuggling RedTek or a similar product. Sadly for him, he became the "example" that those inclined to bend the rules or outright cheat the rules now need to think about.

Up here in BC, a DIY person cannot purchase R-134A anymore. RedTek is available widely. Seriously - - it's just propane and butane.

On the environmental front, I suppose that some regulators would prefer that even RedTek installations be done by a certified AC tech. The sensible reasons for this are that qualified techs always have refrigerant recovery equipment, thus keeping the freon-type refrigerants sequestered - - as they should be. I admit to having vented some amounts of R-12 and R-134A to the atmoshpere over the years from leaky systems with very little freon left. I am sure I am far from alone in that.

But if there is a significant amount of freon (R-12 or R-134A) in the system, then if you are only "topping up" the refrigerant, then it is noteworthy that RedTek actually does play nicely with either of those freons. The downside of this mixing is that if a qualified tech later has to evacuate an AC system, his freon recovery equipment will recover that witches brew. R-12 is still alive and kicking in the off-highway equipment world, including tractors, excavators, dozers, etc etc. So it still makes sense to recover it and use it only in leak-free systems.

Thu Apr 04, 2024 4:12 pm

I was able to order direct from RedTeck and have it delivered to my Seattle address. All is good for now.

Thank You for all your help and suggestions.

Thu Apr 04, 2024 4:22 pm

You can blow through a lot of refrigerant if you don’t find all the leaks first when you don’t have a way to recover.

So, connect your AC manifold gauges to the system and a vacuum pump. Pull 30 inches are as close as you can get with the valves open for 30 mins. Close the manifold valves, shut off the vacuum pump. A sealed system should hold vacuum overnight. The test spec is a half hour. Once you pass the vacuum test you are ready to add refrigerant. At a minimum I would drain the compressor and add fresh oil. Good luck.

Thu Apr 04, 2024 4:58 pm

Mark, yes I will do a leak test first.

What type of oil should I use in the compressor, and where can I get it? I'm asking because I here many different things about compressor oil.

Thu Apr 04, 2024 5:58 pm

I’ve not used Red Tek. Oil used to be specific to the refrigerant being used. If the system is empty, probably should install a new dryer.

Fri Apr 05, 2024 4:14 am

Manufacturers have acceptable leak rates on refrigerant, which are typically 10 grams per year. Over 10 years that would be barely noticeable change in climate performance. Personally, if I have to even seasonally charge a car, I find the leak and fix it. Usually evaporator. If it’s a can every 3 years, that’s on the edge of the decision tree for me.

Fri Apr 05, 2024 8:36 am

Yep the safe alternative to r12 is outlawed, so is removing hybrid batteries with out annual certification, natural gas to heat you home or shop, ect ect.

Our governor is out of control.

Fri Apr 05, 2024 8:41 am

a914622 wrote:
Our governor is out of control.

and this is what happens when people vote party and not person. I see why so many are registered as independents now.

all of these polices hurt the middle class and below the hardest....

Fri Apr 05, 2024 8:52 am

Subscribed for the reading and humor!

I purchased two 30 lb kegs of 134a back when it was about $75 each.
Shelves in Walmart's in my neck of the woods are well stocked ... about $10 per the 12 oz size cans!

Fri Apr 05, 2024 9:57 am

AndyBees wrote:

I purchased two 30 lb kegs of 134a back when it was about $75 each.

just looked...

a 30 pounder is 2 hunnit and fiddy fucking dollars my cost, or 8.33/lb

i miss the old days of the 75 dollar cylinders.

Fri Apr 05, 2024 12:57 pm

You can get it on ebay.

Fri Apr 05, 2024 1:17 pm

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: AndyBees wrote:

I purchased two 30 lb kegs of 134a back when it was about $75 each.

just looked...

a 30 pounder is 2 hunnit and fiddy fucking dollars my cost, or 8.33/lb

i miss the old days of the 75 dollar cylinders.

As I recall, I was with a friend who was a Sam's Club member. It on sale. I gave him the cash and he purchased it for me. At the time,

Back those days (late '90s), I had a cylinder of R12. I sold it for something over $250 which was close to what I had paid for it.

Fri Apr 05, 2024 1:41 pm

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: AndyBees wrote:

I purchased two 30 lb kegs of 134a back when it was about $75 each.

just looked...

a 30 pounder is 2 hunnit and fiddy fucking dollars my cost, or 8.33/lb

i miss the old days of the 75 dollar cylinders. I miss the small cans of R-12 for $1.00,,,,, :P :P :P :P
Side can tappers
Monster Fridgeaire Compressors that got crammed into Luxury Cars with no room to work on them, and Mercedes used ALLEN boilts for all the brackets... #-o #-o
Noisy York Compressors, with more hunky dory brackets systems to mount a belt to them... :P :roll:
Having seal and rebuild clutch kits for the different style Compressors you would run into. Versus just bolting someone's rebuilt unit on.

OKAY, maybe I don't really miss all that... :lol: :lol: