R12 System Retrofitting to R134A

R12 System Retrofitting to R134a

R12 can and should continue to be used to service vehicles built with R12 A/C systems as long as it is available. If R12 is no longer available or affordable, a system retrofit utilizing R134a is recommended. R134a IS THE ONLY SUBSTITUTE REFRIGERANT RECOMMENDED BY GM FOR USE IN GM VEHICLE A/C SYSTEMS, AND THEN ONLY AFTER FOLLOWING THE PROPER RETROFIT PROCEDURES FOR THE MODEL. For complete retrofit instructions, reference Corporate Service Bulletin # 43-12-07E, dated January, 1997.

Although retrofitting R12 vehicles to R134a has been minimal up to this point, significant price increases in R12 is making this more attractive. This trend is expected to continue. GM offers a simple, low cost R12 to R134a retrofit on many late model GM vehicles. Dealers should discuss this capability with owners of these specific models whenever A/C system repairs are needed. Early retrofit of these models will aid in prolonging availability of the R12 supply and provide dealer service technicians the opportunity to become more familiar with the proper procedures for performing a retrofit.