This posting is essentially a duplicate of one I made 5 years ago in this forum. In 2020 there was no clear answer from the Priuschat readership then, but I want to poll the group again on the same topic: where is hybrid-compatible refrigerant in retail stores? I'm panicking because my inventory is gone. Does anyone know of a retail or online source of refrigerant suitable for recharging hybrid vehicles equipped with electrically-driven compressors? Or a related question: is the canned R134A sold today at retail devoid of lubricating oil on the assumption that the user will add his own lubricant to suit the needs of the vehicle? I am aware that conductivity of the oil in refrigerant is a big deal. I think the reason is either that lubricant causes electrolysis with the motor windings in the compressor or that the leakage current to ground trips a DC ground fault sensing circuit in Toyota's electronics. It's probably both explanations. For a period of time ending in the early 2020s I could purchase Interdynamics-made 12 oz canisters of R134a that were stamped HYB134a and the comment that it was suitable for hybrids. That stuff is now gone. One of Interdynamics' subsidiaries (A/C Pro) today sells what it calls a synthetic, improved version of HYB134a. But I want the original stuff or some confirmation that mixing A/C Pro's improved version with older refrigerant is OK. Anyone have any answers about whether HYB134a or dry, not lubricated R134a is available somewhere? Thanks for any advice you can offer.
As far as I know the blue cans that I buy of 134A are just that . Virgin 134A with nothing. There's some legal gobbledy goop that goes with that. I got family attached to HVAC for nearly a century . And they can spew all that nonsense for hours. All the substitutes you can use the new gases for and all that stuff never ends . I don't even try to keep up with that nonsense. But I do keep about five of my own vehicles of various makes ice cold . Like winter . That's one thing that will always work wherever I am . Forever . Or I'm headed there to make it work
In some states, it is illegal to sell R134A now, with heavy fines. Amazon no longer allow the sale of R134A. If you want it, and your state allows it sale, it is the only way to purchase it.
The last can that I bought was from the local brick-and-mortar auto job shop, and was a plain can from HARP Automotive and nothing but straight R134a.
Right here at my Walmarts in North Carolina blue and white cans 134A no additives unless I want it's in other can.
