# R-12 freon

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/r-12-freon/52067>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** corolla, toyota\
**Created:** [July 18, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/r-12-freon/52067 "2010-07-18T17:45:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![psmannes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dfb087/32.png) [@psmannes](https://community.cartalk.com/u/psmannes)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/r-12-freon/52067/1 "2010-07-18T17:45:47Z")

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I own a 1991 Toyota Corolla with 79,400 miles. The A/C is low so I know this car use R-12 Freon. The problem is that I know R-12 is no longer so can I fill it with R134a? Is there any DIY to do it? Or has to be done professionally shop?  
  
 Thanks  
  
 Pete

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**Author:** ![Jeffmw05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@Jeffmw05](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeffmw05)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/r-12-freon/52067/2 "2010-07-18T17:47:25Z")

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Certain things have to be replaced, but it isn’t terribly expensive. Have a pro do it for you if you don’t know what you’re doing. A properly done A/C job is always $ well spent.

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**Author:** ![Diamond-Chevy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/diamond-chevy/32/1244_2.png) [@Diamond-Chevy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Diamond-Chevy)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/r-12-freon/52067/3 "2010-07-18T18:59:12Z")

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You can still find R-12 from people who deal in old car parts, but it’s expensive. However, it still may be cheaper than converting to R-134a.

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 11:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/r-12-freon/52067/4 "2010-07-18T23:34:09Z")

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it still may be cheaper than converting to R-134a.

If the leak is fixed.

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/r-12-freon/52067/5 "2010-07-19T00:14:13Z")

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Google “Freeze-12”…Pro’s HATE it but backyard guys love it…

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**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/r-12-freon/52067/6 "2010-07-19T14:39:15Z")

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WalMart sells an R134a kit that says “compatible with R-12 residue”. When it leaks out eventually, look for a can (at WalMart again) that says it’s compatible with R-12, stops leaks and conditions the compressor seals.