Removing AC compressor and components?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
Removing AC compressor and components?
I have avoided this, but to really get suff clean and detail the engine compartment, I'm going to remove the AC components. I have a 94 so it is equipped with the newer 134a refrigerant.
How should I discharge the refrigerant from the system to remove the components and then once I have them removed and on the shelf how do I keep them from becoming contaminated? I'm not sure what fitting to remove first to discharge the system, or if I have to dicharge the refrigernat into a canister or something. Will it be liquid or gas when the system is opened?
I have read through the FSM but it only says to us approved recycling equipment. ?
How should I discharge the refrigerant from the system to remove the components and then once I have them removed and on the shelf how do I keep them from becoming contaminated? I'm not sure what fitting to remove first to discharge the system, or if I have to dicharge the refrigernat into a canister or something. Will it be liquid or gas when the system is opened?
I have read through the FSM but it only says to us approved recycling equipment. ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,350
Likes: 228
From: Northeast FL
I pulled mine out permanently for racing purposes. I have a friend that owns a shop so he sucked the 134 out with his machine. It's considered a pollutant if you just crack the fittings and let it discharge into the atmosphere. There really isn't very much of it in there but the pollution theory is that if everyone started just letting it out it would become an issue.
You will have to evacuate the system when you put it back together before putting 134 back in. You should also consider putting in a new evap cannister as the old one will be exposed to the humidity in the air when you open up the system.
You will have to evacuate the system when you put it back together before putting 134 back in. You should also consider putting in a new evap cannister as the old one will be exposed to the humidity in the air when you open up the system.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 30
I have avoided this, but to really get suff clean and detail the engine compartment, I'm going to remove the AC components. I have a 94 so it is equipped with the newer 134a refrigerant.
How should I discharge the refrigerant from the system to remove the components
***it has been a while since i have reviewed the laws pertaining to "venting", however, last i heard it was legal to vent into the atmosphere but. that there was talk about making it illegal. lets assume that it IS illegal...you would need a set of refrigeration gauges and you would need a reclaim/recovery machine as well as an approved recovery container/tank...using any other type of tank could cause the tank to explode with catastropic results!..so, if you don't have those i'd find someone who does and have them do it...i won't go any farther in my explanation as the average person does not own a recovery machine...
and then once I have them removed and on the shelf how do I keep them from becoming contaminated?
***i would put saran wrap over the openings of the hoses and then tin foil and tape with duct tape to avoid contamination. as far as the compressor, you could wrap in saran wrap or place in a small kitched trash bag and seal with tape...
I'm not sure what fitting to remove first to discharge the system, or if I have to dicharge the refrigernat into a canister or something.
***see above...
Will it be liquid or gas when the system is opened?
I have read through the FSM but it only says to us approved recycling equipment. ?
How should I discharge the refrigerant from the system to remove the components
***it has been a while since i have reviewed the laws pertaining to "venting", however, last i heard it was legal to vent into the atmosphere but. that there was talk about making it illegal. lets assume that it IS illegal...you would need a set of refrigeration gauges and you would need a reclaim/recovery machine as well as an approved recovery container/tank...using any other type of tank could cause the tank to explode with catastropic results!..so, if you don't have those i'd find someone who does and have them do it...i won't go any farther in my explanation as the average person does not own a recovery machine...
and then once I have them removed and on the shelf how do I keep them from becoming contaminated?
***i would put saran wrap over the openings of the hoses and then tin foil and tape with duct tape to avoid contamination. as far as the compressor, you could wrap in saran wrap or place in a small kitched trash bag and seal with tape...
I'm not sure what fitting to remove first to discharge the system, or if I have to dicharge the refrigernat into a canister or something.
***see above...
Will it be liquid or gas when the system is opened?
I have read through the FSM but it only says to us approved recycling equipment. ?
**just a note, once the accumulator tank is exposed to air for any length of time, it is NOT reuseable. i have seen people on the forum and on ebay sell these tanks which were removed...they are NOT reusable..
.....good luck
Last edited by Da Mail Man; Sep 2, 2007 at 08:28 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
***do it correctly or have it done for you.
**just a note, once the accumulator tank is exposed to air for any length of time, it is NOT reuseable. i have seen people on the forum and on ebay sell these tanks which were removed...they are NOT reusable..
.....good luck
**just a note, once the accumulator tank is exposed to air for any length of time, it is NOT reuseable. i have seen people on the forum and on ebay sell these tanks which were removed...they are NOT reusable..
.....good luck
Taking the car somewhere to have this done is problamatic because the car is not mobile. I got the engine half disassembled and I want to get the AC Compressor and the PS pump out of the car to continue my cleaning and restoration progress. I wish there was a way to do this correctly at home in my garage.
I do have a friend that is a retired GM mechanic. The last time I was in his garage he had the stuff to do this, but the 60million dollar question is will he come over here and help me with this? He now HATES working on cars and spends all his time fishing!
Cheers thanks again for the response
