For anyone thinking about AC work on there car

[Lohman446]

From two years ago to last November the wholesale price of R134 quadrupled. In the past two months it has again doubled. Somehow it appears there may be a distinct shortage this year and the price is likely to only continue to climb. If you were thinking about getting AC work done on your vehicle and it uses R134 (most anything past '94) you may want to not put that off.

I know.. I was trying to buy some earlier today for the shop, IF you can find it it is drastically expensive. I found some.. but thought I would share the info.

[Muzikman]

If you are looking for a large amount, cheap, drop me a PM I'll see what I can do.

[Steelrat]

Why the hell is it so hard to find?

[Lohman446]

No clue... I ended up looking around quite a bit to find it at a reasonable price (under $200/30lb can). Most places were getting wholesale about $240 for it. This is the stuff two years ago I bought a skid for $30 a can.

[Muzikman]

Wow, damn, your right. I just called a local supplier, R134a is now at old R12 prices, and R12 is so expensive that no one could afford it now.

[Lohman446]

Surprised me to when I went to buy it... my two main parts warehouses worried me.. then I started calling around. I bought a half dozen 30 pounders, and hope its enough for the summer

[Muzikman]

They say why? I tried looking around and I can't find a reason. I assume that they found out that it's worse for the enviroment than I thought.

[Lohman446]

They said oil prices.. now I have no idea on how freon is made but I have been hinted that it involves some process involving salt water??

Perhaps some of the major manufacturers were forced out in the changeover from R12 to R134, I don't know why that would be though?

In answer.. yes I was given several "reasons" but none of them seemed logical to me and they surely were not consistent across the suppliers.

[Hasty8]

I have no clue if this will help but I hope it does.

http://www.autofreon.com/freon.htm

[Lohman446]

There are alternatives, like that one - I am wary of anything that is not actually R134A or R12 as being questionable in use and very likely in violation of EPA guidelines that could get me in big and expensive trouble

[WickeDKlowN]

I think theres a couple cans of R134a or something in my garage.

[Muzikman]

I got about 3/4 of a 30lb bottle of R12 downstairs...wonder if I should go black market:) I am not longer certified.

[hitech]

I got about 3/4 of a 30lb bottle of R12 downstairs...wonder if I should go black market:) I am not longer certified.

Man, I have a 1988 Silverado Truck that needs a little... You're not moving to CA anytime soon?