Last time I checked on R12 was about $40 a can in my area. So how ever many cans plus any labor cost.

 

Here in TX you can find a can of R12 on craigslist for about $25. If you have a set a guages you can top off your system fairly cheaply.

 

The only problem with adding a can of refrigerant is that -

• R-12 can be expensive
• This could be a temporary fix
• You could mistakenly charge through the hi-pressure side and have the can blow up in your hand. (Not a pretty picture!)
• You MIGHT need to replace the receiver/drier if the system was 'sucking in' 02

Bite the bullet and take the car to a repair facility that can charge the system and add a 'dye', that IF it leaks again, will leave a tell-tale sign that can be detected by blacklight.

Yes, I did that. The cost was $219.00.

 

Hey Lexguy26. I'm not sure what the laws in NY are but in cali R12 is banned but there is an alternative to R12 without retrofitting to R134. It's called freeze12. Doesn't get as cold as R12 but you can add it to your stock R12 ac system and it's fairly cheap. Hope this helps, if you have any more questions about freeze12, pm me

 

I'm intrigued about Freeze12. Can I just add it to my R12 system just like 134a? would i have to do anything special for it to work? i dont mind it not being as cold as r134