[DuncanWaring]

Go to Mexico and buy a couple of cans of R-12. I've "heard" they run around $8 apiece.

They also have a different top fitting that the standard do-it-yourself ( DIY) adaptor hose will not fit.

At that point, you have two choices.

1. There is a style of filler adaptor used by folks who do it for a living that punches into the side of the can, thus bypassing the top connector entirely.

2. Fabricate your own adaptor. The fitting is a threaded nipple. Get one nut which fits that nipple, and another which fits the threads on the DIY adaptor. Epoxy/solder/weld the two nuts together, and you've got a fitting to attach old-style filler hose to new-style R12 can.

Voila! Air Fria.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Excellent advice. Just fill 'er up while you are there abd bring back a few for sale to friends.

[Tall_Texan]

If I took it to Mexico, would there be a problem with them knowing how to do this? You'd think somebody would have a little cottage industry for this. And if any folks need to stay cool, you'd think it would be south of the Rio Grande.

Supposedly, you have to be a licensed technician nowadays to even handle R12 in the states. I'm not too technically skilled under the hood so I'd probably need help.