AC compressor removal 96
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
AC compressor removal 96
I want to remove the AC compressor on my LT4 to make some room for some things that I want to do over the winter. It looks easy enough to remove and I know I have to have it evacuated first. My concern is if anything can happen while it sits over the winter. The works great so I dont want to cause any problems. Have any of you guys experienced any problems after removing your good working compressor and then reinstalling. It just seems that I get bit in the *** a lot when i try and make repairs. Other things seems to always go wrong. I just want more room to remove the steering rack, the intermediate shaft, upper control arms etc. Seems like if I remove the compressor and alternator it will give more accessibility. also, any idea of what it will cost to have a garage evacuate the system. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Can't you just unbolt it and move it off to the side w/o discharging the system? Unless you do it yourself, it will not be cheap to evacuate and then recharge the system.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
I havent really looked to see how much it has. I didnt think it would cost a lot to do, guess Ill have to call around. also just want to make sure that I am not going to cause more problems for myself by messing with something that works great
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 416
Likes: 3
Your only options are leave it pressurized and set it aside.
Or take it off, have the whole system flushed, and (at a minimum) put new oil in it and replace th accumulator/drier.
I know there are a lot of people who have taken it off, put it back on and added refrigerant and it blows "cold" air. Not the correct way to do it, and it will shorten the life of the system components.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
It sounds to me like you're making more work for yourself, rather than making things easier! You can replace your engine without disconnecting the a/c. The work you have listed is simple compared to replacing the entire engine!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 416
Likes: 3
Since this is back on top.....
To evacuate the system is to run a vacuum pump on it. This is the last thing done before adding refrigerant.
First thing in a/c component removal is recovery of the refrigerant. I'd imagine there would be confusion if someone contacted a shop for an evacuation when they wanted the refrigerant removed. The shop might think work was done and all that was needed was vacuum pump use and refrigerant charge.
If someone wanted to start work they need to ask a shop to recover the refrigerant.
I personally would just blow it out into the atmospere if it's 134a, which a '96 would be.
And for those who just blew their drink all over their monitors in shock....134a is used by a lot of companies as a blowing agent for spray foam and Icynene.
Icynene is sprayed in the attic of houses and other buildings typically under the roof, sometimes the attic floor. I'd guess the amount of 134a used to do a house could charge at least 50 cars.
To evacuate the system is to run a vacuum pump on it. This is the last thing done before adding refrigerant.
First thing in a/c component removal is recovery of the refrigerant. I'd imagine there would be confusion if someone contacted a shop for an evacuation when they wanted the refrigerant removed. The shop might think work was done and all that was needed was vacuum pump use and refrigerant charge.
If someone wanted to start work they need to ask a shop to recover the refrigerant.
I personally would just blow it out into the atmospere if it's 134a, which a '96 would be.
And for those who just blew their drink all over their monitors in shock....134a is used by a lot of companies as a blowing agent for spray foam and Icynene.
Icynene is sprayed in the attic of houses and other buildings typically under the roof, sometimes the attic floor. I'd guess the amount of 134a used to do a house could charge at least 50 cars.
