I have a 2001 VW Golf GLS TDI. The air conditioning always worked great even in above 90 degree temperatures and the system never needed recharging up to August, 2007 when I installed Duracool 12a. The reason I installed the Duracool was based on the information on their website www.duracool.com. Their claims to be very environmental friendly and much more efficient (35%) by using much less refrigerant (60% less) than 134a and the potential to offer much less wear and tear on the compressor was very inviting. In the interest of upgrading my car’s air conditioning alone I had the 134a totally removed from my car and the Duracool 12a installed per the manufacturers instructions. This was a HUGE MISTAKE!!!
The car’s air conditioning worked great for about two weeks time so the proper amount was installed correctly with no leaks. In two weeks time the car was not cooling well at all and over a weeks time it went from a little cooling to none at all. I had the car checked for the leak and found a hole had developed in the Low Pressure Suction Hose. So after spending over $100 in product and labor to install the Duracool 12a I was looking at a bill of at least $600 to repair the system. I suspected the Duracool because I had never had any previous air conditioning problems before. My mechanic said there was a chance it was just due to normal wear and tear since I had no other experience with this product. I had no money to repair the car and even contemplated selling it.
Due to the growing increase in fuel prices I kept the car and had it repaired on August 1st 2008 for over $600 for parts and labor. Sadly I reinstalled the Duracool 12a and their AC Oil Chill and System Seal product to lubricate the compressor and seal any other future leaks as claimed on their website. I used the car right away for a 2 week road trip and the air conditioning worked great again showing proper installation and no leaks after installation. By the 20th of August I noticed the car was not cooling as well but was still better than ambient. Over the next week the problem got much worse. I went to my mechanic on September 2nd to read the PSI in the car and the reading was 22 PSI versus the 42 PSI at full charge. When the mechanic removed the vacuum hose from the High Pressure Valve it stuck open discharging the refrigerant into the air with its very distinct propane smell. He was unable to get the valve to totally seal and is still leaking now days later. He told me he has never seen this before in a car in over 25 years of A/C work. His conclusion was the same as mine that there are way too many coincidences now and that the Duracool is eating my car’s air conditioning system away as there is obviously another hole and the seal on the High Pressure Valve was eaten away now too. This makes two times new leaks have developed after installing the Duracool 12a in my car. There is no way this gas can be harmless to the environment if it is eating the insides of my car’s A/C system!
I called the company to talk about filing a warranty claim as their website proudly proclaims the following “Are the DURACOOL® products guaranteed?
Yes. DURACOOL® Refrigerants Inc. guarantees in writing that the DURACOOL® products will perform as an efficient refrigerant, and will not harm any air conditioning or refrigeration components and equipment.” The man who answered the phone claimed he was the “Owner the President” told me “BULLS**T” when I told him the experience I had just in the manner I have written about here. He refused to discuss my problem and was more intent on telling me that my “BULLS**T” meant nothing to him and that as I was in the States there was nothing I could do about it and he closed the conversation by saying “cased closed” and “F@@K YOU!!” as he slammed the phone down. So I am looking at another several hundred dollar repair bill as the High Suction Line is well over $200 alone and I have not even had the other leak or leaks located yet as I cannot afford the repair any way. I don’t know about any one else but the $700 I have already spent is not exactly petty change let alone what I am looking at to repair the new damage done.
The Duracool representative has a good point that being in Canada there is little I can afford to do legally as the cost would be prohibitive pursuing this across the Canadian border in addition to the cost I have already incurred and have yet to incur to get my car’s air conditioning working again. I am writing warn my fellow TDI ers to stay away from this product as it can and most likely will hurt your car and the company will not deal with you and stand behind their proclaimed guarantee.
The car’s air conditioning worked great for about two weeks time so the proper amount was installed correctly with no leaks. In two weeks time the car was not cooling well at all and over a weeks time it went from a little cooling to none at all. I had the car checked for the leak and found a hole had developed in the Low Pressure Suction Hose. So after spending over $100 in product and labor to install the Duracool 12a I was looking at a bill of at least $600 to repair the system. I suspected the Duracool because I had never had any previous air conditioning problems before. My mechanic said there was a chance it was just due to normal wear and tear since I had no other experience with this product. I had no money to repair the car and even contemplated selling it.
Due to the growing increase in fuel prices I kept the car and had it repaired on August 1st 2008 for over $600 for parts and labor. Sadly I reinstalled the Duracool 12a and their AC Oil Chill and System Seal product to lubricate the compressor and seal any other future leaks as claimed on their website. I used the car right away for a 2 week road trip and the air conditioning worked great again showing proper installation and no leaks after installation. By the 20th of August I noticed the car was not cooling as well but was still better than ambient. Over the next week the problem got much worse. I went to my mechanic on September 2nd to read the PSI in the car and the reading was 22 PSI versus the 42 PSI at full charge. When the mechanic removed the vacuum hose from the High Pressure Valve it stuck open discharging the refrigerant into the air with its very distinct propane smell. He was unable to get the valve to totally seal and is still leaking now days later. He told me he has never seen this before in a car in over 25 years of A/C work. His conclusion was the same as mine that there are way too many coincidences now and that the Duracool is eating my car’s air conditioning system away as there is obviously another hole and the seal on the High Pressure Valve was eaten away now too. This makes two times new leaks have developed after installing the Duracool 12a in my car. There is no way this gas can be harmless to the environment if it is eating the insides of my car’s A/C system!
I called the company to talk about filing a warranty claim as their website proudly proclaims the following “Are the DURACOOL® products guaranteed?
Yes. DURACOOL® Refrigerants Inc. guarantees in writing that the DURACOOL® products will perform as an efficient refrigerant, and will not harm any air conditioning or refrigeration components and equipment.” The man who answered the phone claimed he was the “Owner the President” told me “BULLS**T” when I told him the experience I had just in the manner I have written about here. He refused to discuss my problem and was more intent on telling me that my “BULLS**T” meant nothing to him and that as I was in the States there was nothing I could do about it and he closed the conversation by saying “cased closed” and “F@@K YOU!!” as he slammed the phone down. So I am looking at another several hundred dollar repair bill as the High Suction Line is well over $200 alone and I have not even had the other leak or leaks located yet as I cannot afford the repair any way. I don’t know about any one else but the $700 I have already spent is not exactly petty change let alone what I am looking at to repair the new damage done.
The Duracool representative has a good point that being in Canada there is little I can afford to do legally as the cost would be prohibitive pursuing this across the Canadian border in addition to the cost I have already incurred and have yet to incur to get my car’s air conditioning working again. I am writing warn my fellow TDI ers to stay away from this product as it can and most likely will hurt your car and the company will not deal with you and stand behind their proclaimed guarantee.