Classic Air con re-gas problem

frog hopper said:

1988 2.4 VM classic.
Took the old girl to a garage this morning to have a chat with their air-con guru. Basically I wanted to know if it would be safe for me to put a belt onto the compressor for them to do a diagnostic on the system, tell me what parts I needed to replace - if any - and book her in for a diagnostic and re-gas.

I was less than impressed when the guru told me he couldn't re-gas the system anyway as it was built for cooling gas 12 and the modern gas would eat the seals etc, and it was now illegal to use gas 12 in France (and elsewhere I guess).

I have searched google and LZ and found there may be a solution if I can find someone who can use a "Drop-in" gas, or maybe RS 24 gas. Are there any other options open to me before I spend the next couple of weeks failing to find someone who can do it.

It's maybe not all bad news as the guy this morning stuffed a probe into a valve on the back of the compressor and there was some pressure in the system, so maybe OK in that respect.

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wammers said:

Change the seals and use R134a. RS 24 is a mix of R134a and other ingredients.

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frog hopper said:

Thank you @wammers , would that be all I would need to change ??
Not really looking forward to having the dash out (again) to access the seals in the cabin. If I have to then so be it, rather have an easy alternative if possible, cos I feel like being lazy.

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DanClarke said:

Saw this and wondered just "how-dodgy" is it? Probably very safe for Merkins. ;-)
https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/r12-freon-substitute-tip-for-car-buffs-save-yourself.1025612/

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Ratae said:

Worth a read:
http://www.kwecars.com/technical/air-conditioning-the-r134a-conversion-myth/
and:
www.boconline.co.uk/en/products-and-supply/refrigerant-gases/hfcs/r437a/index.html

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