ACtion Magazine - November/December 2011 - (Page 18)

The site: www.allpar.com/eek/ac.html During our research for this project, we noted a much higher level of accurate (or at least helpful) A/C information on sites and forums maintained by specific owner and enthusiast groups. There are groups for almost every brand and model, and many have present or ex-factory technicians as members. Allpar is used here strictly as a representative example, and any owner can certainly find a similar site for their vehicle. Information found on owner forums is generally a cut above the “free information” websites, but even here a reader must be careful to sort fact from opinion. This particular website is privately run, not OEM supported. It “is devoted to Chrysler Corporation, Chrysler Group, and affiliated companies, including its predecessors and acquired brands.” It maintains an extensive repair section, populated by articles from knowledgeable sources plus selected items from the user forums. The general air conditioning page begins with an overview of the current state of play for refrigerants. The post is undated and credits Automotive News as a source. General info is solid (EU rules, R-134a going away, environmental responsibility, etc). The only alternatives discussed by name however are CO2 and R-152a. CO2 is noted as operating at higher pressures and being “less effective.” There is vague allusion to another: One replacement under study, R-152a, has heat-retaining power just 10% that of R134a, but is still a good refrigerant (unlike carbon dioxide). Another new refrigerant being developed by Dupont and Honeywell would be a “drop-in” substitute for R134a, but would trap less than 10% of the heat as carbon dioxide when in the atmosphere. See the error? At no time did DuPont or Honeywell state their product was a “drop-in.” The term used was “near drop-in” to indicate very little system alteration would be needed, but changes will be required. Additionally, in the history section: Still, R-12 had a clearly demonstrated link to holes in the ozone layer, with clearly dire effects for the future. R-134a was adopted, and many say it was adopted because DuPont had a patent on it; Australia uses a cheaper and more efficient refrigerant system. Oops. Certainly DuPont patented their product, as did many others manufacturers. Australia uses R-134a as well. From another poster, describing available refrigerants: “Drop in” – A refrigerant that can legally be “dropped into” a system with no modifications required whatsoever. No unique fittings, no oil change, no hose change, no label change. Drop-ins exist ONLY for zero-ODP refrigerants that do not contain CFCs (e.g. R-12) or HCFCs (e.g. R-22). This leaves refrigerants that contain HFCs (e.g. R-134a). Here’s where it comes off the rails, but how is a new reader to know? The statement is patently not true, and there is no such thing as a legal drop-in replacement. Ever. ALL replacements require unique fittings and labels. Then the writer tries to redeem it, but fails again: EPA wants every refrigerant to have unique fittings to prevent crosscontamination...this rule was made based on heavy lobbying from 134a industry with a heavy financial stake in having NO alternative to 134a. That first part is certainly correct, but there’s an interesting shift from fact to opinion in the second part with no sources cited. Alternatives to R-134a are found on EPA’s SNAP list, but each requires unique fittings. Still later, in a how-to on retrofitting your classic car (from R-12), a poster wrote: If the system wasn’t already converted to R-134a, you must flush it with brake cleaner to get the mineral oil out, then use compressed air to purge it. Flush with brake cleaner? Very expensive, risky and flammable. And to what effect on seals and o-rings? That’s followed later by a common mathematical puzzle: Then you can charge with 12 oz cans until you reach about 85% of original capacity ... We ask: how does the user know how much has been charged? Given 2-12oz cans, how would you recharge 20 oz. into a system? In fairness, this site and many others do also contain sets of clear and accurate instructions for many procedures and helpful diagnostic information. The concern is that a casual reader – one perhaps learning to do the repair for the first time – may not be able to distinguish truth from half-truth. Bad information can injure the user and the wallet. ❆ 18 Reader Reply No. 48 ACTION • November / December 2011 http://www.allpar.com/eek/ac.html

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - November/December 2011

ACtion Magazine - November/December 2011
Table of Contents
Outlook
Expansion Valve
Technically RELAY-ted
Under the Southern Cross
Leonard’s Law
News & Updates
Virtual View
Cooling Corner
Painting an Unclear Picture
2011 Phoenix Symposium: Some Answers, More Questions
MACS Trade Show Exhibitor List
Association News
Classified
Quick Check
New Products & Services
Last Watch

ACtion Magazine - November/December 2011