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Identifying R-12 and R-134A Systems

IDENTIFYING R-134A AND R-12 SYSTEMS

NOTE: R-134a A/C systems can be identified by a gold colored A/C compressor clutch.

CAUTION: Do not add R-12 refrigerant to an A/C system that requires the use of R-134a refrigerant. Also, do not add R-134a refrigerant to an A/C system that requires the use of R-12 refrigerant. These two types of refrigerant should never be mixed. Doing so may cause damage to the A/C system.

R-134a A/C System Identification And Charge Tag Locations:






In order to find out which type of A/C system a particular vehicle has, the A/C system major components and refrigerant lines need to be inspected. If the system components have yellow R-134a NON-CFC tags as shown, it is an R-134a system requiring the use of R-134a refrigerant.

If the A/C system has any of the R-134a identifying characteristics explained, R-134a refrigerant is the only type of refrigerant that can be used in the A/C system. If the A/C system is not identified as an R-134a system as explained, it is an R-12 system requiring the use of R-12 refrigerant.

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