FYI

The below statement is from the EPA regarding the stability and safety of EPA
approved refrigerants for automotive use

"The EPA has made it illegal to use flammable refrigerants in motor vehicle air
conditioning systems.  R-12, and  R-134a are not flammable at ambient
temperatures and atmospheric pressures.   At high temperatures (i.e., open
flames, glowing metal surfaces, etc.), CFC-12 can decompose to form hydrochloric
and hydrofluoric acids. "

Remember  there aren't too many things that would burn on your Vanagon that
wouldn't kill kill you if you were to breathe the resulting fumes in sufficient
quantities.  R-12 and R-134 are very stable compounds for automotive use.  As
has been said many times before the 15 - 20 gallons of fuel we carry around with
us present more of a potential danger than anything else on board.  In comment
to recent list discussion, explosions due to accumulated battery fumes are rare.
Fuel related fires in VW's are well known.  Someone once said there are two
types of VW's, those that have been on fire and those that will.  If you can't
remember when the last time your fuel lines were replaced plan on doing it soon.

Regards and happy motoring
Graham Mingst

>Date:    Tue, 15 Aug 2000 22:49:52 -0500
>From:    CHRIS STANN <cstann@home.com>
>Subject: Re: Fwd: 89 syncro westy ac question

>R12 and R134 will burn when exposed to flame.  The resulting gasses are
>poisonous and can kill you.

>Surprised?

>----- Original Message -----
>From: Tom Smith <TSmith5041@aol.com>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2000 8:24 PM
>Subject: Fwd: 89 syncro westy ac question

> Have read in the Bentley Bible that arc welding can break down R-12 but I
> think for the most part it's a pretty stable compound. My wife's 88 Toyota
> has cold A/C and has never been serviced.
>
>
> Tom Smith
> 83.5 Westie
> Charlotte, NC>>
> >>
>
>