older 22re a/c Recharge: r12 v r134a

[T?@\7]

Hey guys, over the cooler months here in FL i hadnt needed to use my ac, its been a few months. Now its so damn hot that I really wanna get it going again....
How do I know if my system is still r12 or if it has been converted to r134a? I have searched ALOT and cant really find much info. Also, from what little results I did find, people seemed to believe that the r12 is COLDER than r134a and also that converting over to r134a for our older systems might not be a good idea?
I have a appointment on monday to take my dog to a specialist in orlando (hell) and its about a 1.5 hr ride and I want him to be as comfortable as possible. Thanks for your advice.

 

[ChoochCharlie]

The r12 fill nozzles are small like schaeder valves. The 134a nozzles are bigger, like the size of your finger in diameter.
I have switched from 12 to 134 twice. First time was a fail after 4 months on a 1987 Ford. The 2nd time was a 1992 Chevy S10. That worked fine for 2 years then died.

Finding r12 is impossible here in my part of PA, so we have no choice but to switch. You might still be in luck down there. Call around.

 

[fourwd1]

R12 AC systems are different from R134 systems (not just the different refrigerant), so converting an R12 system to R134 is not going to operate optimally. Hence the perception that R12 is colder. R134 works just fine in a system designed to use R134.

One difference is pressure, and R134 works at a higher pressure than R12, which is hard on the seals when you convert from R12 to R134.

I had the AC on my 84 converted professionally. It worked great for several years, until the pressure blew out the front seal of the compressor. But hey, at that point the compressor was already 25 yrs old.

 

[T?@\7]

looks like ill be ordering some of that freeze 12 stuff, unless my mech has some r12 around and im really lucky

 

[aj884runner]

Had a few friends use RED TEK12a. They claim it works better than R12. R12 is not available here and is not to be installed at all. I don`t know what is in the Red Tek, but it says it is hydrocarbon based (read explosive properties). R134a conversion works mediocre on 1993 and up due to the seals being compatible with R134a. Some people swear at Red Tek, and others love it.