Corvette 1979 - air condition fluid

[Josef M.]

Hello,


by the import of the Corvette 1979 from the USA to Europe had to been the air condition fluid removed. It was because of the European regulation which prohibits to use R-134.


Could you please recommend which fluid use in air condition instead of R-134 and its amount for Corvette 1979?


Thanks for any information

[Edward J.]

Re: Corvette 1979 - air condition fluid

Josef, are you sure about R134 Freon being regulated in Europe? I was not aware since it was just replaced by R1234yf. Not sure if the new stuff is compatible. I would be looking for some single cans of r134 somewhere.

[Josef M.]

Re: Corvette 1979 - air condition fluid

Hello Edward, sorry I've wrote it wrong. Forbidden should be R34 and R134 should be its substitution. But I've got an information that R134 will not work for vintage cars. What is your recommendation?

[Edward J.]

Re: Corvette 1979 - air condition fluid

yes R-134 will work. if its been converted, it should have the r-134 fittings installed if not, you may see the R12 fittings which is what the factory installed in 1979. This would mean the system will need to be converted to r-134, generally some auto repair places will convert the system.

[Duke W.]

Re: Corvette 1979 - air condition fluid

As Edward stated the original refrigerant for your '79 was R-12. The requirement for all cars to use R-134a was effective about 1994.

I have two R-12 cars, and back in the nineties when I attended the big SEMA automotive trade show in Las Vegas every year I talked to all the manufacturers of AC service equipment, and without exception they recommended maintaining R-12 as long as supplies last. They also stated that there were HUGE stockpiles of R-12. Circa mid-nineties an international treaty banned the manufacture of R-12, but NOT the use of existing supplies.

For awhile R-12 was more expensive than R-134a, but the last time I checked R-12 is actually cheaper because so few cars use it, and apparently, at least in the USA, there is still a lot around. The biggest problem nowadays is finding a shop that has R-12 service equipment.

R-12 is a more efficient refrigerant than R-134a, so R-134a will not cool as well, and some recommend a higher heat transfer rate condenser to maintain AC system performance. R-12 and R-134a require different size service hose fittings, so if a car has been converted from R-12 to R-134a it should be obvious by inspecting the service ports.

You should double check your regulations. If they are like the USA R-12 is still legal to install as long as you can find a service facility that still has R-12 and R-12 service equipment, which are getting scarce. The best bet is probably a service facility that specializes in vintage cars.

Duke

[Michael W.]

Re: Corvette 1979 - air condition fluid

By this regulation

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getAllAnswers.do?reference=E-2010-1990&language=FI

The EU has banned all maintenance or topping up of systems with R-12. If the OP's car had this refrigerant prior to import, he has no choice but to convert.

[Josef M.]

Re: Corvette 1979 - air condition fluid

Big thanks to all of you for your replies!

Due to EU restrictions will have to be converted ;-//

[Joe L.]

Re: Corvette 1979 - air condition fluid

Big thanks to all of you for your replies!

Due to EU restrictions will have to be converted ;-//

Josef------

Unfortunately, it looks like that's what you'll have to do. I say unfortunately because I'm not a big fan of R-12-to-R134a conversions. Also, you'll likely have to change some parts that will alter external configuration, if that's an issue for you.

Since you apparently have to do it, you definitely want to make sure it's done RIGHT. That means you need to find a shop that's EXPERIENCED in doing these conversions. No "shortcuts" and replace everything that needs to be replaced.