Air conditioning question

[shealy]

Hey guys I recently heard of a friends air conditioning in his L300 setting fire. I'm not sure if it overheated or was plugged or....? Anyone experienced this, and is this something to worry about in L300's? Since I heard this I've been hesitant to use my AC for fear of setting my rig on fire....

[FalcoColumbarius]

The older Delicas used Freon 12 or "R12" as a refrigerant in the A/C systems. R12 has no flash point as it is non-flammable. The replacement or "retrofit" is Tetrafluoroethane or R134a which is flammable and has a flash point of 250 °C (482 °F), so nothing to worry about. Propane also would make a great refrigerant as it's flash point is -104 °C. Some people have used this for their A/C, which is great so long as there is no leak, but if there is ~ you have a problem. This is why it's not used ~ actually I think it's illegal to be used in such a fashion. If you keep with R134a you should not have a fire, unless you are driving on Venus or Mercury.

Sources of enlightenment:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propane
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichlorodifluoromethane
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-134a

Falco.

[shealy]

So basically I have nothing to worry about? I'm assuming its just R12 in my van, but I wouldn't really know how to find out. I wonder what caused the fire then? Thanks!

[jessef]

There was an L300 that caught fire last year due to an electrical short and one with a suspect block heater go sour.

Was the engine fire contained to the a/c unit ?

[guywithpajero]

Understanding this is a super old thread but for anyone like myself looking for solutions to AC I will add that the issue was probably not fire, as much as smoke. My heating/cooling controls are kinda wonky and to make a long story short, the AC engaged soon after I bought my Pajero and smoke started billowing from under my hood. i think my AC was/is rusty, seized and started smoking when the belt started spinning. I removed the belt to prevent this from happening again but am hoping to find a solution that involves driving with AC as highway trips with the window down are a pain in the butt. If anyone can suggest a good AC shop, it would be much appreciated.

[rainypotato]

I cut the belt last summer, similar scenario. Ac looks wonky, so I am interested in a good repair service as well. Not something for this backyard mechanic.