R12 freon | FerrariChat

R12 freon

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by rumen1, Oct 29, 2025 at 2:17 PM.

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  1. rumen1

    rumen1 Formula 3 Owner

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    Bulgaria
    How do you guys deal with the old R12 freon problem? I need to charge the A/C of my TR and obviously R12 is almost impossible to find anymore. Is the only option upgrading the system to R134? Some people say that you only need to drain the system and add the new R134 freon, other say, that the process is much more complicated. I also hear, that you should never buy an aftermarket dehydrator filter, as most of them are not good quality. Not sure if Ferrari still offers OEM one though...
     
    rumen1, Oct 29, 2025 at 2:17 PM
    #1
  2. bill brooks

    bill brooks F1 Veteran Silver Subscribed

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    bill brooks
    as Prof.Irwin Corey used to say : "i'm not sure how it's done, but it's doable anyway".
     
    bill brooks, Oct 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
    #2
  3. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie Rossa Subscribed

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    I was advised to keep the r12 if you could get it, it works much better in our marginal Ferrari air conditioning systems than r134, if you switch to 134, you have to change out hoses seals blah blah blah blah blah.
    I had a new AC compressor installed in my car during my recent major, and with r12 properly filled I'm getting 39° air out of my center vents, pretty good for an 1988 Ferrari.
    I managed to six cans of r12 on Facebook marketplace over the last year or two, I keep them in reserve for when I need to recharge. Usually available for about $50 each.
    Alden
     
    Alden, Oct 29, 2025 at 7:55 PM
    #3
    Kevin Rev'n and flash32 like this.
  4. GTO Joe

    GTO Joe Formula 3 Silver Subscribed

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    If you can take the time to search out the 12 you will be better off. Your thoughts on the china dehydrators is sound as well. I converted several systems, and they never worked very well. My Ferrari is still on 12 and works very well and will stay on it. My '91 911 is converted and might as well not have an AC system. The 1lb cans are still out there if you look. I struck gold about a month ago when a close friend was cleaning out his garage and he gave me 13 USA made cans, so I am good to go for a long time.
     
    GTO Joe, Oct 30, 2025 at 9:39 AM
    #4
  5. windsock

    windsock Formula 3 Rossa Subscribed

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    An R12 system PROPERLY converted to R134 will work just as well as a R12 system. Anyone telling you otherwise is not doing a proper conversion.
    R12 oil is not compatible with R134. Hoses must be a nylon lined barrier hose not rubber lined. Some models we upgrade the condenser fan. Evacuation of the system to 500 microns is critical and on some older cars it required us to leave on the vacuum pump overnight. Most shops don't even own or know what a micron gauge is.
     
    windsock, Oct 30, 2025 at 10:12 AM
    #5

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