It is my experience that R-12 is substantially "colder" than R134a especially on a retro fit vs factory R134 configs.  R-12 can still be purchased but its expensive.  It can also be found outside of the US fairly inexpensively. Not sure what the situation is up in CA.

I also understand from the classic hot rod community that there is a direct type replacement for R12 called R-freeze or similar that works with R12 systems and keeps the "ice cold" effect of the R-12.

Doug

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: VWSottnik@aol.com 
  To: vanagon@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2004 4:34 PM
  Subject: [vanagon] Freon

  In a message dated 3/9/04 7:51:56 AM Central Standard Time, 
  vanagon@yahoogroups.com writes:

  > Newer A/C systems no longer use Freon.  They use a
  > refrigerant called HFC-134a.  Some van owners have
  > converted their whole system to use HFC-134a, but this
  > is not a simple or inexpensive undertaking ($$$$).
  > 
  > -Mike
  > 
  > 

  Mike,

  R-134 is still Freon. R-12 was a freon as well. Most home systems use R-22, 
  which is also still a type of freon.

  Pete

  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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