R-1234yf

[Jetronic]

F*** r1234yf. The process when using a machine is so unbearably longer than when using a 134a machine.

But to answer your question, I'm aware of merc, ford and Chrysler using 1234yf. not sure with other manufacturers. As far as conversion, I've read about people just replacing the refrigerant with 134a, but not with such good results.

i think all new vehicles are using it. At least passenger cars.

 

[Chris142]

I'm not a huge fan of R-1234yf, but saying it's a "step backwards in an environmental sense" is just plain wrong. When R134a replaced R12 it solved the issue of depleting the ozone layer but R134a still has a very high global warming potential (GWP) of 1,430 which means that one pound of R134a released into the atmosphere causes the same amount of global warming as 1,430 pounds of CO2 released into the atmosphere. R1234yf has a GWP of just 4, so just 0.28% of R134a's GWP of 1,430. So even if your R1234yf car leaked all it's refrigerant say 100 or 200 times it would still be much less harmful than leaking the same amount of R134a just once.

Something to fathom. When looking for a leak with an electronic leak detector you go UNDER the parts because refrigerant is heavier than air.


So if it's heavier how does it go up and hurt the atmosphere?

 

[GSCJR]

I recently heard that R1234y has been found to be more harmful to technicians than previous refrigerants. At least that's what I think I heard. Is threre any truth to this?

 

[atikovi]

Nobody mentioned anything about cost. Just refilled my older Honda with 19 oz of R134 for a little over $3. With 1234 that would probably have cost over $60.

 

[Skippy722]

I recently heard that R1234y has been found to be more harmful to technicians than previous refrigerants. At least that's what I think I heard. Is threre any truth to this?

If it catches fire it decomposes into some pretty nasty compounds, but that shouldn’t really be a problem for a technician.

 

[RamFan]

This is absolutely not true. My 2018 Mazda 3 is r134a along with my mom's 2020 mazda CX5. I have not checked my wife's toyota however.

Interesting. My 2016 CX-5 uses 1234yf.

 

[atikovi]

If it catches fire it decomposes into some pretty nasty compounds, but that shouldn’t really be a problem for a technician.

Technician might say otherwise I assume.

 

[brianl703]

If it catches fire it decomposes into some pretty nasty compounds, but that shouldn’t really be a problem for a technician.

Same is true for chlorinated brake part cleaner. And R12 and R134a will decompose into phosgene gas if exposed to a flame.

 

[Jake_J]

Something to fathom. When looking for a leak with an electronic leak detector you go UNDER the parts because refrigerant is heavier than air.


So if it's heavier how does it go up and hurt the atmosphere?

It's called gas diffusion. Makes sense if you think that heavier than air radon gas and carbon dioxide are constantly being released, yet it's not lethal to go outside.

 

[Avery4]

Although R134a and R1234yf have very similar pressures, R1234yf is a bit less efficient and it doesn't carry oil as well as R134a does. Special oil was created for 1234yf systems for this reason. So the simple answer is yes you could and it would work to some extent, but doing so would reduce the system's performance and longevity.

 

[KrisZ]

Can r1234yf be converted to propane like r134a?

 

[kschachn]

And R12 and R134a will decompose into phosgene gas if exposed to a flame.

Back in the day when you used a flame type leak detector for R12 you could smell it.

 

[brianl703]

Back in the day when you used a flame type leak detector for R12 you could smell it.

I heard that it used to be common (?) practice to use engine vacuum to evacuate R12 systems. And someone was doing this, and someone else got too close to the tailpipe and died from that. Could just be a BS story but it sounds plausible to me.

 

[Chris142]

Nobody mentioned anything about cost. Just refilled my older Honda with 19 oz of R134 for a little over $3. With 1234 that would probably have cost over $60.

My cost on 1234 is about$90 per pound! Gotta mark it up to be able to stay open

 

[Rygrego]

How many vehicles are using R-1234yf as a refrigerant? Can one convert a car with R-134a to R-1244yf?

Why would you convert to a refrigerant that is 10 times as expensive with no better cooling? 134A & 1234YF are compatible with each other. 134A is a HFC and 1234YF is a HFO. I would wait until 134A doesn't exist or becomes more expensive like R12 became. You can top off a 1234YF system with 134A and the proper fittings adapters but I'm sure that will drive the tree huggers nuts.

 

[kschachn]

Why would you convert to a refrigerant that is 6 times as expensive with no better cooling? 134A & 1234YF are compatible with each other. 134A is a HFC and 1234YF is a HFO. I would wait until 134A doesn't exist or becomes more expensive like R12 became.

No, you would not replace R134a with R-1234yf for any real reason.

 

[demarpaint]

IIRC I read somewhere that replacing R1234yf was illegal, and considered the same as tampering with an emissions system. I cannot confirm nor deny that. Some people might be concerned with that, and might want to look into it before diving in head first.

 

[atikovi]

Why would you convert to a refrigerant that is 10 times as expensive with no better cooling?

I assume he means for when, or if, R134 is no longer available.

 

[The Critic]

My cost on 1234 is about$90 per pound! Gotta mark it up to be able to stay open

$550 for 10 lbs is the market price, not sure why/how you are paying that much.

 

[atikovi]

$550 for 10 lbs is the market price, not sure why/how you are paying that much.

He's not PAYING that much, just marking it up for customers.