It seems to be advertised as a direct replacement for R12 systems, but other sources call it a performance enhancer to top off your R12. Anyone use it?
https://www.bestrefrigerant.com/r12-r22-products

 

Personally, I wouldn't touch it.
Go on FB Marketplace and find some real R12.
My 91 still uses R12.

 

Hydrocarbon based. My $0.02 just do a good retrofit. Not worth messing with hydrocarbons or tracking down real R12. A properly retrofitted system using a parallel flow condenser can cool phenominally well, even better than a factory R12 system. I have had systems running R152a or even R134a that will make your hands hurt to hold your hands in front of the vents on a 110F summer day.

 

I actually put some in my Formula which is still an R12 system. Fixed a couple leaky Schraders and O-rings, pressure and vacuum tested and then put 3 cans in. Worked great for a few miles, until the condenser failed.


New condenser just arrived.

 

I currently have Envirosafe in my 1987. Been there for years and works good. I actually don't recommend it though. Kind of expensive, especially if you are chasing a leak. Fast355's recommendations is along the line of what I would do these days, or just a simple R134 retrofit like I did on my 1985.

Envirosafe is simply propane with the sulfur removed. You can actually use regular propane if you wish, just gotta use a can tap or find the right fittings to make it work. In theory that is a bad idea and I'm not recommending it right now, but I intend to experiment with it some day. Regular propane contains trace amounts of sulfur for smell/leak detection. In theory this is bad for your A/C system since sulfur mixed with any water turns to sulfuric acid, which is EXTREMELY corrosive to aluminum (every metal component in your A/C system). Of course there isn't supposed to be any water in your A/C system, so there is that....

 

I wonder how different than Duracool the Enviro-safe is? I just ordered 3 more cans of the Enviro-safe, so I'll give it another go once the new condenser is in.

 

I just used this a few weeks ago. I bought a 91 with the AC not working. Put a few cans in and the compressor clutch started working and blowing ice cold air.

I have a leak though and I can smell it in the cabin coming through the vents. The envirosafe has an added scent. Kinda smells like hairspray. I’m guessing if I’m smelling it through the vents, it’s probably coming from my evaporator.

as far as the product is concerned? It works for sure. It blows colder air than our brand new Honda.

 

I consider you the ac guru of the forums! I dont recall seeing your thoughts on 152a though. What are your thoughts on the 152a / the air duster stuff vs 134a?

 

Picture has a hint to my preference for over the past 10 years. Will also add that R152a has signifigantly less head pressure and better cooling. That was in 98F and 65% relative humidity. GM has a chart that shows the high side would be bumping the 420 psi high pressure cutout in those ambient conditions with R134a. I have a massive parallel flow and a lot of airflow but a lot of the reduced pressure is the fact R134a requires a lot more pressure to reach the same condenser temperature. If you ever have anyone touch your vehicle I would go with R134a to prevent someones $$$ recovery machine from getting contaminated during a service procedure that requires an evacuation of the AC system.



This is the chart GM put in the FSM for my 97 Express van. To me it is odd they included the R12 values but it makes for an interesting comparison. The P/T of R152a is closer to R12 than R134a. R152a carries more heat per unit of refrigerant evaporated than either R12 or R134s.

 

Ahh thank you for your thoughts! I need to do my S10 soon and was considering going full 152! thank you!