Refrigerant-134a Systems

REFRIGERANT-134a (R-134a) SYSTEMS

NOTE: R-12 refrigerant and refrigerant oil is not compatible with R-134a and R-134a refrigerant oil.

CAUTION: Never mix the two refrigerants or the oils.

In an effort to avoid the use of CFC refrigerants that may harm the ozone layer of the atmosphere, Ford Motor Company has introduced a new refrigerant system that requires the use of a Non-CFC based refrigerant known as R-134a. This new type of refrigerant has many of the same properties as R-12 and is similar in form and function. However, R-134a is a Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) based refrigerant while R-12 is a Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) based refrigerant. Because of the absence of chlorine in its molecular structure, the use of R-134a refrigerant will not have any harmful effects on the ozone layer of the atmosphere.

Ford Motor Company has begun producing some vehicles that have the new A/C systems requiring the use of R-134a refrigerant. R-134a A/C systems have special service requirements. The main thing to keep in mind about R-12 and R-134a systems is that they are different systems. R-12 refrigerant and components can only be used in R 12 systems while R-134a refrigerant and components can only be used in R-134a systems.