A/C - Info. On the Use of Alternate Refrigerants CFC-12

NO.:
92-1-51

DATE:
August, 1992

GROUP:
1

CORP. NO.:
231205



SUBJECT:
INFORMATION ON THE USE OF ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS IN CFC-12 REFRIGERANT MOBILE AIR CONDITIONERS FOR ALL 1993 AND PRIOR YEARS' MODELS


A number of inquiries have been received concerning the use of "alternate refrigerants" as a replacement for R12 refrigerant in General Motors air conditioning systems.

Regardless of any advertised claims, there are currently no substitutes for refrigerant R12 approved by General Motors. At the present time, only new or recycled R12 is approved for use in General Motors R12 air conditioning systems.

Based on studies performed to date, the use of "alternate refrigerants" in General Motors R12 air conditioning systems may result in higher system pressures, higher leak rates, or incompatibility with drying and sealing materials. System performance and reliability may also be affected.

Service equipment manufacturers have indicated that cross-contaminating R12 recovery/recycling equipment with "alternate refrigerants" may damage the equipment. General Motors supports the Society of Automotive Engineers recommended service procedures for recovery and recycling of R12. The use of known "alternate refrigerants" without proper service practices for identifying vehicle systems containing these "alternate refrigerants" and dedicated recovery equipment to service those vehicles will contaminate the recycled supply of R12 refrigerant. Contamination of the recycled R12 refrigerant makes the refrigerant unusable for recharging air conditioning systems and could jeopardize the recycling program.

At the present time General Motors has not approved any "alternate refrigerant" for R12 in R12 air conditioning systems. Therefore, R12 systems should continue to be serviced with new or recycled R12 only.