It then passes through the receiver-drier, a storage and filtering device and on to the expansion valve which releases the correct amount of gas into the evaporator through a small orifice. The sudden pressure drop in the atomised liquid gas causes its temperature to fall well below that of the vehicle cabin where it absorbs heat through the evaporator coils, vaporises to gaseous form and returns to the compressor for the cycle to be repeated.

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In making the policy VASA took these points into account:

(a) the over-riding importance of safety, both to its member workshops and consumers; and

(b) the accepted practice of the major automotive manufacturers and the designers and manufacturers of automotive airconditioning components and systems.

VASA supports a mono-refrigerant policy throughout the automotive airconditioning industry and recommends to members the refrigerant gas R134a as the preferred replacement gas for R12 in all automotive systems.

VASA does not recommend the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants or refrigerant blends of any kind in automotive air conditioning systems that are not designed specifically for their use.

Read the Queensland Government safety alert
Read about the Hydrocarbon test which went horribly wrong

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Since Australia has joined other countries in changing over to a gas which is more environmentally friendly, the car airconditioning industry has been opened to a new range of gases. Some are cheaper and therefore attractive to car owners. Some are blends of various gases.

R134a is a proven gas which has been adopted by all major car manufacturers and all component manufacturers. Due to lack of uniform approach by all state governments within Australia, this recommendation and adoption by manufacturers of R134a does not stop the sale of so-called alternative refrigerants.

VASA simply takes the view that since R134a is the only gas which has been proven for use in mobile airconditioning systems, it should be consistent in the use of this recommended gas in all vehicle systems when they are changed over or converted from the old gas.

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By law, all refrigerant gas must be recycled and VASA supports the efforts of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia, a cooperative industry effort, whose job it is to take back all recycled gas, paying a rebate to the workshop which supplies it. The gas is either recycled in its original form, or if contaminated, is must be destroyed by special methods.

VASA has taken a strong stance on the recycling issue, showing the lead for the industry in recycling. However, VASA is the only organisation in this industry which is fully committed to recycling of gas, hence its scepticism about back yard regas "experts" doing the right thing.

The risk of contamination of gas which otherwise could be recycled, is also a serious risk to the recycling effort and sooner or later, the cost of this may filter back to the car owner.

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It is always wise to follow the manufacturer's specifications in case you have a warranty claim.

Ask about the flammability of the gas recommended by your car airconditioning specialist. After all, you can't be too careful about the safety of your occupants.

Be aware that many car airconditioning systems were simply not designed to run on just any old gas. Your airconditioning runs most efficiently when those maintaining it recognise the delicate relationships between the refrigerant gas, the oils and the sophisticated equipment.

Regassing is not easy and not everyone can do it. Experience and knowledge in properly diagnosing airconditioning breakdowns is imperative. A wrong diagnosis could eventually prove very expensive.

Be wary of repair shops which advertise cheap regassing of vehicle airconditioning, especially if airconditioning repair is NOT their main business. If you would not entrust your car engine to anyone other than a qualified mechanic, think carefully before sending your airconditioning to anyone other than a trained specialist. An airconditioning mechanic must be skilled in three trades – motor mechanical, refrigeration and auto electrical.

Sometimes it's attractive to get a quick, cheap repair job done on your car.

But remember – sooner or later, cheap repairs or poor diagnosis of faults can come back to haunt you. It's the same with everything . . . but you have a choice.

So for all of these reasons, next time your car airconditioning is serviced remember to ask the question . . .

"WHICH GAS ARE YOU PUTTING IN MY CAR?"

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These workshops recommend and use R134a as the replacement gas when stocks of the old gas run out.

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