Refrigerant: Description and Operation

The refrigerant used in this air conditioning system is a HydroFluoroCarbon (HFC), type R - 134a. Unlike R - 12, which is a ChloroFluoroCarbon (CFC), R - 134a refrigerant does not contain ozone - depleting chlorine. R - 134a refrigerant is a non - toxic, non - flammable, clear, and colorless liquefied gas.

Even though R - 134a does not contain chlorine, it must be reclaimed and recycled just like CFC - type refrigerants. This is because R - 134a is a greenhouse gas and can contribute to global warming.

R - 134a refrigerant is not compatible with R - 12 refrigerant in an A/C system. Even a small amount of R - 12 refrigerant added to an R - 134a refrigerant system will cause A/C compressor failure, refrigerant oil sludge or poor A/C system performance. In addition, the polyalkylene glycol (PAG) synthetic refrigerant oils used in an R - 134a refrigerant system are not compatible with the mineral - based refrigerant oils used in an R - 12 refrigerant system.

R - 134a refrigerant system service ports, service tool couplers and refrigerant dispensing bottles have all been designed with unique fittings to ensure that an R - 134a refrigerant system is not accidentally contaminated with the wrong refrigerant (R - 12). There are also labels posted in the engine compartment of the vehicle and on the A/C compressor to identify that the A/C system is equipped with R - 134a refrigerant.