A/C - Non-Approved Refrigerants
9225bmw01
Group 64
Heating and Air Conditioning
Bulletin Number
64 02 92 (3495)
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
February 1992
Product Engineering
SUBJECT:
Non-Approved Air Conditioning Refrigerants
MODELS:
All
Situation:
Recently, "alternative" refrigerants for automotive air conditioning have been marketed in certain areas. These refrigerants are claimed to be compatible replacements for the BMW-approved R-12 Refrigerants (also known as Freon(R)). The "alternative" refrigerants usually consist of a mixture of R-12, R-22, and R-124b. These refrigerant components are not related to, or as ecologically sound as, the new H134A refrigerant.
These types of "alternative" refrigerants are not compatible with, and are not approved for use in BMW air conditioning systems.
Problems that can occur when charging a BMW air conditioning system with a R-12/R-22/R-124b mix:
1. R-22 is incompatible with the existing R-12 desiccant found in BMW receiver-driers. The desiccant will break down, and may be distributed through the A/C system, clogging the expansion valve and destroying the compressor.
2. R-22 can result in substantially higher pressures when installed in a system designed for R-12, especially in stop-and-go traffic in high ambient temperatures.
3. Current R-12 hoses, O-rings, and sealing materials found on BMW vehicles are not designed to, and do not, retain R-22. The R-22 permeates out of the hoses. If the R-12 is then lost from the system, the remaining R-124b is flammable.
4. If a vehicle with a non-approved refrigerant is brought into a shop and connected to recycling equipment, the same problems can occur with the recycling equipment. In addition, the "alternative" refrigerant can be passed on to other vehicles that are connected to the same recycling equipment. This could spread the problems to other vehicles.
Solution:
There are currently no BMW-approved alternative refrigerants to R-12. Use of any refrigerant other than R-12 will preclude warranty coverage of resulting failures.
BMW is working on applying an acceptable, environmentally-sound alternative to R-12 known as H134A. In the interim, the most effective means of protecting the environment is the use of recycling equipment.
Protect your customer's air conditioning systems as well as your own recycling equipment. Do not allow non-approved refrigerants to enter your recycling equipment.
If a customer has had air conditioning service performed elsewhere, determine that only R-12 was used for recharging the system. This Service Information can be used to explain potential problems to customers.
Warranty
Status:
Information only.