Originally Posted by 01 BMW_X5

I don't see where cultheroes has indicated that he is using R-12/CFC - still available at $28-$35 a pound.

He is just saying he has freon kit which is available at all parts stores. I don't believe that he would be using R12(manufacture banned in USA in 1994) in a system designed for R-134a. Switchover by car manufacturers should be right around that time. The valve fittings for the R-12 and R134a system are not the same. The only 2 original parts after a R-134a retrofit is the evaporator and the condensor.

I had reason to call the EPA a long time ago, when I witnessed in a dispute an HVAC tech, evacuate a neighbor's entire system to the atmosphere. EPA agent that fielded the call wasn't in the least bit interested.
So much for protecting the enviroment.