R-12 AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT PURITY. Saturn Saturn 1991

For 1990-2009 cars

# R-12 AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT PURITY

#### SUBJECT: R- 12 Air Conditioning Refrigerant Purity Identifier

#### TO: Saturn Fixed Operations Managers

The recovery and recycling procedure for R- 12 refrigerant has been in place for a few years now, and is working well. However, refrigerant purity has recently arisen as a concern due to the marketing of refrigerant blends that claim to be "drop-in" replacements for R- 12. Some of these replacements for R- 12 contain R-22, propane and butane which may damage the A/C system. Since these refrigerant blends are sold as "drop-in" replacements for R- 12, the purity of the recycled refrigerant is at risk. To address this concern and protect the integrity of the recycled refrigerant, the RI-2002DS refrigerant identifier will be shipped to retailers as essential equipment in July, 1995. The cost of the RI-2002DS is $1050.00, and includes samples, hoses, cylinder adapter, and mounting bracket. This equipment will be shipped to you prior to August 7, 1995. If you have already purchased this piece of equipment and do not wish to receive an additional one, call your Market Area Manager to cancel your equipment. If you would like to receive your identifier before August, 1995, you can order it by calling 1-800- 468-6657.

The RI-2002DS refrigerant identifier is designed to mount on the refrigerant recovery/recycling carts and will act as a power enable switch to the cart. Before every refrigerant recovery or recycling cycle takes place, a sample of the refrigerant will be analyzed for purity. The RI-2002DS refrigerant identifier has the ability to detect R-12, R-134a and R-22 refrigerants, as well as hydrocarbons and air. After analyzing the gas, the RI- 2002DS refrigerant identifier will display the percent by weight of each element detected. The RI-2002DS refrigerant identifier will provide power to the cart only if the analysis indicates 98 percent or better purity of R-12. After analysis is complete, a hard copy of the analysis can be obtained by connecting the RI-2002DS refrigerant identifier to an Epson LX810 or LX300, or IBM ProPrinter II printer (printer not included with RI- 2002DS refrigerant identifier).

Proper use of this tool can:

0 Prevent damage to your R-12 recovery/recycling equipment.

0 Prevent contamination of previously recovered R-12 in the recovery tank.

0 Prevent loss of your recovered R-12 as contaminated refrigerant will activate automatic air purge system.

0 Prevent the spread of contaminated R-12 to other vehicles you service.

The RI-2002DS refrigerant identifier can also be used as an A/C system diagnostic tool to:

0 Detect air mixed with R-12, both in vehicle and in the recovery/recycling cart tank.

0 Verify the proper evacuation of R-12 when performing a R-134a retrofit.

0 Check the purity of bulk refrigerant storage cylinders.

If your retailer has multiple R- 12 recovery stations which are not protected, use the RI-2002DS to check the refrigerant in these recovery tanks for contamination at least once each week. Simply connect the R- 12 sample hose to the red or vapor side of any recovery cart tank and run the test. It is also important to check a tank containing recovered/recycled material for purity before installation on your charging equipment. Even new R- 12 refrigerant purchased from sources other than Saturn should be tested for contamination prior to use.

The use of the RI-2002DS refrigerant identifier is not limited to R-12 purity testing. By setting an internal switch, the RI-2002DS refrigerant identifier will function as a R- 134a purity detector. Therefore, as the use of R- 12 is phased out, the RI-2002DS refrigerant identifier could be mounted on a R- 134a cart and be used to verify the purity of R- 134a refrigerant

#### Sources Of Contaminated R-12 Refrigerant

Since refrigerant testing has not been a standard practice in the mobile A/C repair industry, the amount of R- 12 refrigerant contamination is unknown. As R- 12 prices rise and supplies are depleted, it is anticipated that contaminated R-12 refrigerant may become more prevalent from the following as well as other sources:

0 The use of R-12 refrigerant substitutes without installation of unique service fittings and proper identification labeling.

0 Improper use of R- 12 substitutes, such as topping off R- 12 systems with R- 134a or other refrigerants available to "do-it-yourselfers."

0 Poor quality or contaminated new or reprocessed R- 12 refrigerant.

R- 12 can and should continue to be used to service vehicles built with R- 12 as long as it is available. Combining any refrigerant with R- 12 results in a refrigerant mixture which cannot be used in an A/C system. R- 134a is the only substitute refrigerant approved by Saturn and should only be used when the appropriate retrofit service bulletin procedures are explicitly followed.

However, you should know that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed several products as acceptable replacements for R- 12 mobile A/C systems under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP). Some of these products are: R- 134a, R40 1 c (a DuPont refrigerant blend) and FRIGC (another refrigerant blend). It is important to understand that the SNAP program only considers the health, safety and environmental characteristics of a chemical. It does not test for A/C system cooling performance or durability. That judgment is deferred to the vehicle manufacturer. Use of any R-12 refrigerant substitute without dedicated service equipment, unique fittings, labels and refrigerant testing prior to recovery, could result in contamination of the R-12 supply and the loss of R-12 recycling program.

#### What To Do When Contamination Is Detected

Repeat the test to verify contaminated refrigerant is present. Contact the vehicle owner to advise that previous A/C system repairs were apparently performed with an R-12 refrigerant substitute that Saturn does not recommend. Suggest the owner contact or return to the previous repair facility. Explain that environmental regulations prohibit repair facilities from discharging ozone depleting A/C refrigerants into the atmosphere. Explain that recovery of this unknown refrigerant could damage your service equipment. If the customer wishes to pursue repairs through your facility, it is recommended that the proper A/C service equipment be purchased. Saturn recommends the Kent-Moore J41428 "Scavenger," an air operated refrigerant recovery station, be used to remove unknown refrigerants. The air operated feature reduces the hazard of recovering potentially flammable refrigerants. Retailers should evaluate the need to purchase the equipment based on the number of contaminated vehicles they encounter.

As an alternative to the initial purchase of a recovery only system, retailers should check locally for A/C specialty shops which may have the equipment to service substitute or contaminated refrigerants. They may be able to provide contaminated refrigerant recovery service to the retailer.

Although A/C refrigerant testing and disposal have not been a service practice in the mobile A/C industry, it has been common in the stationary A/C service industry for many years. Listed at the end of this bulletin are companies that provide refrigerant disposal service for the stationary A/C industry. Please be advised that Saturn has not independently evaluated these companies and is not in any way endorsing or promoting the use of these companies. Each of these companies has expressed an interest in provided refrigerant disposal service to Saturn Retailers.

In working with the stationary A/C industry, these companies typically receive large volumes of different refrigerants that have been mixed together. Unfortunately, because the volume of material returned by the mobile A/C industry will be in much smaller quantities, the cost of handling will be greater.

To arrange for retum of the refrigerant simply call the company nearest you, using the phone number listed. The company will advise you on billing and shipping procedures. Disposal cost will vary between $3.00 and $5.00 per pound plus freight and handling. Shipping charges will vary by distance and location. In general, a 7 to 10 day turn-around time on the tank can be expected. The tank can be shipped via common carrier. Documents that your refrigerant has been properly disposed of will be sent to you with the retum of your tank.

As an alternative, may retailers already have contracts in place with a disposal company who manages their hazardous wastes. In these cases, the disposal service may agree to handle containers of mixed refrigerants. Initially, the local disposal companies may be surprised by this inquiry. They may want to evaluate how much material will be collected before deciding whether to provide this service.

As we move forward with the practice of testing R-12 refrigerant, it will take time for all the questions to be answered. Saturn Service Engineering will provide additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Refrigerant Disposal Locations CFC Reclamation United States Refrigerant Reclamation Inc. 1321 Swift 12420 North Green River Rd. North Kansas City, MO 64116 Evansville, IN 47711 (816) 471-2511 (800) 207-5931, FAX (812) 867-1463 Full Cycle-Global Omega Refrigerant Reclamation 550 James Street 5263-North Fourth St. Lakewood, NJ 08701 Irwindale, CA 91706 (908) 370-3400, (310) 698-0991, FAX (310) 696-1908 FAX (908)370-3088

Refrigerant Reclaim Svcs, Inc. Refrigerant Management Services of Georgia dba Full Cycle-Global 216 F. Atlantic Hwy. 121 S. Norwood Drive Cumming, GA 30130 Ft. Worth, TX 76053-7807 PH/FAX (800) 347-5872 (817) 282-0022, FAX (800) 831-6182

Refrigerant Reclaim Inc. Full Cycle-Global 122 (Old State Coach Rd. 2055 Silber, Ste. 109 Dumfries, VA 22026 Houston, TX 77055 (800) 238-5902, FAX (703) 441-0393 (713) 681-7370, FAX (713) 681-9947

Gartech Refrigerant Reclamation Ctr. Full Cycle-Global 2002 Platinum 343 South Airline Hwy. Garland, TX 75042 Gonzales, LA 70737 (214) 272-4070, FAX (214) 272-8548 (504) 644-53-3, FAX (504) 644-1809

National Refrigerants, Inc. Full Cycle-Global 11401 Roosevelt Blvd. 2966 Wireton Philadelphia, PA 19154 Blue Island, IL 60406 (215) 695-6620, FAX (215) 602-8205 (708) 388-8551 FAX (708) 388-8550

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.