A/C - Use of Alternate Refrigerants Other Than R-12

NUMBER:
92-T-124

CORP.REF.NO:
231205

DATE:
September 1992

SECTION:
1



SUBJECT
INFORMATION ON THE USE OF ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS IN CFC 12 REFRIGERANT MOBILE AIR CONDITIONERS

MODELS/YEARS
ALL MODELS 1992-PRIOR YEARS



A number of inquiries have been received concerning the use of "alternate refrigerants" as a replacement for R-12 refrigerant in General Motors air conditioning systems.

Regardless of any advertised claims, there are currently no substitutes for refrigerant R-12 approved by General Motors. At the present time, only new or recycled R-12 is approved for use in General Motors R-12 air conditioning systems.

Based on studies performed to date, the use of "alternate refrigerants" in General Motors R-12 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 R-12 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 R-12. 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 R-12 refrigerant. Contamination of the recycled R-12 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 R-12 in R-12 air conditioning systems. Therefore, R-12 systems should continue to be serviced with new or recycled R-12 only.