Missoula MT R-1234YF Refrigerant Recharge Service

R-1234YF Refrigerant Basics

The technology in the vehicles driving around the roads of the greater Missoula area is ever-changing. Vehicle manufacturers continually strive to improve passengers' comfort, safety, and entertainment. In addition to vehicle enhancements for passengers, technology under the hood is no different when it comes to new advances in automotive design. The internal computers now found on most modern cars, trucks, and SUVs around the Missoula area have resulted in vehicles that are better than ever! One of the more recent advancements in vehicle technology that our auto repair shop in Missoula is excited about relates to the air conditioning system and an entirely new refrigerant known as R-1234YF. R-1234YF was developed to offer an improvement for the fuel efficiency of your vehicle while simultaneously reducing the detrimental effects placed on the Missoula environment. Transolution Auto Care Center wanted to share with our clients what is changing in relation to this refrigerant, and you should know, and how our shop in Missoula can help when your air conditioning system with R-1234YF needs service.

Over the Years

FREO, also referred to as R12, was the refrigerant that was used in vehicles manufactured from the 1930s to the early 1990s. It was in the middle of the 1990s that refrigerant 134A was replacing R12 in vehicles. Just as 134A replaced R12, so too has R-1234RF replaced 134A in vehicles serviced by Transolution Auto Care Center at our auto repair shop in Missoula.

1234YF Explained

134a is hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant, containing both fluorine & hydrogen. 1234YF is a hydrofluor-olefin refrigerant that was created by DuPont/Honeywell. 1234YF is similar to 134a in that both contain hydrogen and fluorine, but the former of the two also has carbon elements. The primary difference between the two refrigerants is that 1234YF has less of a detrimental impact on global warming than does 134a. When 134a was introduced to replace R12, it reduced the GWP (Global Warming Potential) of the two refrigerants from 11,000 down to 1,430. Comparatively, 1234YF has a GWP of only 3. The EPA followed the European Union with the requirement of vehicle manufacturers to replace 134a with 1234YF by the mid-2020's. In 2013, GM began manufacturing vehicles with the new air conditioning system using 1234YF, and completed that process in 2018. Transolution Auto Care Center expects that by 2025, all of the air conditioning recharges done at our shop in Missoula will have 1234YF refrigerant. For vehicles that are not compatible with 1234YF, 134a will still be available while there is a need for a recharge.

Missoula Auto AC Service & Repair

As with all new automotive technology, it is imperative to find a team of automotive specialists that are skilled in servicing vehicles that have air conditioning systems that require 1234YF refrigerant, like those working at Transolution Auto Care Center in Missoula. The process of recharging vehicles with either refrigerant is similar to one another. One of our technicians will extract the refrigerant into a vacuum to remove the air and moisture from the air conditioning system. Our technician will then connect a specialized, fully automated piece of equipment to the ac system to complete a vacuum pressure test that checks for any leaks that may be present. If no leaks are detected the machine will continue the process. When the vacuum test is completed, a "pre-charge" is delivered with a 15% system charge. It is during this process that the blower will be inspected for leaks as well. Only when no leaks are present in the system will the recharge be completed by adding the remainder of the 1234YF refrigerant to the vehicle's air conditioning system.

Advantages & Disadvantes

Transolution Auto Care Center believes that more times than not, changes in technology are often done with the greater good in mind. And though there are some cons to the new 1234YF refrigerant, the benefits really outweigh the risks. Listed below are some of the various advantages and disadvantages when it comes to 1234YF refrigerant.

Advantages:

• 95% Refrigerant Recovery
• Recharge completed within .5 ounce of specification
• No contaminated refrigerant recovered
• No recharge when leaks are present
• Overall better effeciency

Disadvantages:

• 1234YF is more costly and complicated. 134a refrigerant costs $10 per pound compared to a cost for 1234YF which can be 15 times greater. On average, a typical vehicle uses 1 to 1.5 pounds of refrigerant.
• 1234YF refrigerant is mildly flammable, but will not ignite if a heat source does not exceed 1,650 degrees Fahrenheit. 1234YF is safe for passenger use according to the SAE. There is minimal risk of fire in case of an accident or refrigerant leakage into the passenger area.

Technology Embraced

Transolution Auto Care Center has invested in new technology at our auto repair shop in Missoula to facilitate this new technology. Many other auto repair shops in the Missoula area do not offer an air conditioning recharge on vehicles requiring 1234YF refrigerant, but we are pleased to be one of the few shops in our area that can provide a 1234YF recharge for our clients. Transolution Auto Care Center is the best alternative to taking a vehicle to a local dealership in Missoula.