Question on A/C Parts for R12

[TrentW]

I'm trying to get my wife's a/c working for her and gonna run R12 as a local shop I know has a supply. Since it has never been operable since I got it running two years ago, I had them charge it with R12. First of all, the compressor is showing dye leaking at the seams and he also said there's a blockage somewhere--said probably the expansion valve--and the high pressure line iced up and couldn't get the system to flow. I ordered a rebuilt Denso compressor, rec/drier and expansion valve from BMA Parts and they said the expansion valve and rec/drier are compatible with either R12 or R134. Now I've been told that is bullshit. When I checked realoem they show two expansion valves but both say R134.

I want to return the expansion valve and also the rec/drier if it's not R12 compatible also, but need to know where to get R12 parts. Any help is greatly appreciated. As they say, "Happy wife, happy life."

[TrentW]

Well I spoke to Patrick at BMA and he confirmed that his manufacturer states the expansion valve will work with either R12 or R134. Just to get a second opinion, I talked to my tech guru buddy and he also said it will work.

Gonna install everything and will report my findings.

Oh, and I bought a 30# tank of R12 for $300 yesterday. NOS from an old-timey auto parts store on the South Side. :)

[nmlss2006]

No it will not work. Or rather: it will not work as well as it should. But, R12 valves are not being manufactured any more, so you don't get to choose.

[TrentW]

So are you saying it would work better if I switched to R134? Given the 20% better cooling with R12, is it really gonna matter?

[Kershaw]

if you have a choice, go with r12. i recently recharged my red ix with r12 (very happy to find out that it was just low on refrigerant. still had some pressure!) and it always blows cold. even if im sitting in traffic.

if you go with r134a, it will only blow cold while you're moving. not when you're sitting in traffic.