Durango 4WD V8-5.9L VIN Z (1998)
Refrigerant: Description and Operation
Refrigerant
The refrigerant used in this air conditioning system is a HydroFluoroCarbon (HFC), type R-134a. Unlike R-12, which is a ChloroFluoroCarbon
(CFC), R-134a refrigerant does not contain ozone-depleting chlorine. R-134a refrigerant is a non-toxic, non-flammable, clear, and colorless
liquefied gas.
Even though R-134a does not contain chlorine, it must be reclaimed and recycled just like CFC-type refrigerants. This is because R-134a is a
greenhouse gas and can contribute to global warming.
R-134a refrigerant is not compatible with R-12 refrigerant in an air conditioning system. Even a small amount of R-12 added to an R- 134a
refrigerant system will cause compressor failure, refrigerant oil sludge or poor air conditioning system performance. In addition, the PolyAlkylene
Glycol (PAG) synthetic refrigerant oils used in an R-134a refrigerant system are not compatible with the mineral-based refrigerant oils used in an
R-12 refrigerant system.
R- 134a refrigerant system service ports, service tool couplers and refrigerant dispensing bottles have all been designed with unique fittings to
ensure that an R-134a system is not accidentally contaminated with the wrong refrigerant (R-12). There are also labels posted in the engine
compartment of the vehicle and on the compressor identifying to service technicians that the air conditioning system is equipped with R-134a.
