A/C - Alternate Refrigerants & Retrofit Information

BULLETIN NUMBER:
AC007-96

SECTION:
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

DATE:
NOVEMBER 29, 1996

TITLE:
ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS AND A/C RETROFIT

MODEL:
ALL MODELS

Effective January 1, 1996, the E.P.A. has officially banned the manufacture of Refrigerant 12 (Freon). As a result, surplus supplies of R-12 will begin to dwindle over the next several years until, eventually, R-12 will no longer be available.

This uncertainty about the availability of R-12 has caused significant concerns for Lexus dealers when servicing HVAC systems not using R-134a refrigerant. Similarly, the reduced availability of R-12 has prompted demands for R-134a retrofit kits and/or alternate refrigerants. This TSB will clarify Lexus's current recommendations for servicing and retrofitting HVAC systems on Lexus vehicles using R-12 refrigerant.

ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS:

Previously, the E.P.A. has endorsed other alternative refrigerants. These endorsements, combined with the uncertain future availability of R-12, have lead to a limited acceptance of using alternative refrigerants when servicing or retrofitting R-12 HVAC systems. Use of these refrigerants can lead to several service related problems, including:

- Poor system performance and leak detection capabilities.

- Contamination of R-12 and R-134a during refrigerant recovery and recycling.

Recently the E.P.A. released a statement clarifying that approval of alternative refrigerants relates only to the toxicology, flammability, ozone depletion and global warming characteristics. The approval does not imply acceptability of alternative refrigerants use with respect to serviceability or performance.

TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A. ENDORSES THE USE OF R-134a AS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE REFRIGERANT FOR VEHICLES USING R-12.

R-12 AVAILABILITY:

It is estimated that existing R-12 supplies will meet market demand in 1996. Beyond that, Lexus will supply R-12 to it's dealers from a strategic reserve. These strategic reserves are allocated specifically for distribution to Lexus dealers for repair of their customers' R-12 HVAC Systems. TMS projects these reserves may meet dealer demand through early 1998. After that, we believe R-12 will no longer be readily available and dealers will begin to retrofit customer vehicles with R-134a.

RETROFIT ISSUES:

Lexus has completed development of retrofit parts for all later model Lexus vehicles using R-12 refrigerant. These parts will be produced in harmony with market demand, based on R-12 availability.

The parts necessary for atypical retrofit will generally include:

- Receiver Dryer

- O-Rings

- Fittings

- Labels

- Oil

A TSIB outlining retrofit procedures will be released when the retrofit kits become available.

For additional information, contact the Environmental Assistance Network Hotline at 1-800-542-3914.