How do I drain my A/C system
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 438
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From: Tempe Arizona
How do I drain my A/C system
I need to drain my A/C system so I can replace a couple of the hard lines. Is there a certain way to do this or do I just undo the line and let it drain? Is there a bleeder screw somewhere?
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You need to take it and have it vacuumed down....if you want it done right
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
The A/C system is under pressure even when it's not in operation. It does have charging and evacuation connections but they require specialized fittings. If you do not know much about it you should probably leave it alone. The system will have to be evacuated prior to recharging with new refrigerant and compressor oil.
Last edited by ipuig; May 9, 2010 at 10:52 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 438
Likes: 1
From: Tempe Arizona
I need to change out one of my hard lines before the motor goes back in. I don't have the clearence to take it out later with my turbo kit.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 372
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From: Fort Oglethorpe GA
Just crack the line open it will drain itself. After you remove the line go outside look up at the sky see if there is a hole in the ozone above your car. The right way is to use a recovery system they are portable.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 438
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From: Tempe Arizona
Where can I buy this recovery system and how much are they?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Do you have access to a trailer or won't the car roll? I would be careful here, this system is under pressure and you can get hurt doing things incorrectly. Also, pick up a new drier since the system will be open and a new line installed once you get it emptied.
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Advanced
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From: Plattsburgh NY
Per EPA regulations, it is illegal to vent R134a refrigerant to the atmosphere. This is the refrigerant used in automotive applications on newer vehicles. It needs to be properly recovered. Unless you have a the equipment to recover the refrigerant I would recommend that you find a way to have it done. Your local house A/C technician may only be 608 certified, that means he/she cannot to cars, need to be 609 certified for automotive applications. However, they can be certified in both. Give a call and they may come to your house and do it for you. There is a stiff fine for anyone knowingly venting refrigerant and is caught.
The most you can do at home is add refrigerant when your system is low, but once again, unless you know what you are doing you can introduce non-condensables into your system causing issues and eventually A/C failure.
JMHO
The most you can do at home is add refrigerant when your system is low, but once again, unless you know what you are doing you can introduce non-condensables into your system causing issues and eventually A/C failure.
JMHO
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
Check with rental supply vendors or maybe NAPA, AUTOZONE, CHECKER AUTO. The latter usually rent out tools of all types, maybe they have the portable vacuum recovery system available.
Call some local automotive a/c shops for their recommendations because the car is inoperable.
If you don't do it correctly, you're inviting failure/moisture/contaminants into the a/c system. Then the replacement of your hard lines will be in vain.
Call some local automotive a/c shops for their recommendations because the car is inoperable.
If you don't do it correctly, you're inviting failure/moisture/contaminants into the a/c system. Then the replacement of your hard lines will be in vain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Kinston North Carolina
00cls1camaross, it's begining to look like you need to be a rocket scientist to evacuate the AC system!!!!!!! I have to ask one question, if you have a bad hose, has it already evacuted itself?
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Evacuation is the removal of any air in the system, with a vacuum pump,
before the refrigerant is recharged into the system.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Columbia South Carolina
Per EPA regulations, it is illegal to vent R134a refrigerant to the atmosphere. This is the refrigerant used in automotive applications on newer vehicles. It needs to be properly recovered. Unless you have a the equipment to recover the refrigerant I would recommend that you find a way to have it done. Your local house A/C technician may only be 608 certified, that means he/she cannot to cars, need to be 609 certified for automotive applications. However, they can be certified in both. Give a call and they may come to your house and do it for you. There is a stiff fine for anyone knowingly venting refrigerant and is caught.
The most you can do at home is add refrigerant when your system is low, but once again, unless you know what you are doing you can introduce non-condensables into your system causing issues and eventually A/C failure. JMHO
The most you can do at home is add refrigerant when your system is low, but once again, unless you know what you are doing you can introduce non-condensables into your system causing issues and eventually A/C failure. JMHO
Also without the proper equipment, you can be blinded or/and suffer permanent lung damage. SO get a professional to remove the R134. But like others have said it is probably empty of refrigerant and simply needs to be evacuated.
Last edited by Jewjenk; May 12, 2010 at 08:57 AM.
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It should be pretty easy to get to one of the valves on the hard line where you normally add freon and open it. It's basically the same kind of valve as you have on a valve stem on a tire.. Just be careful. You can also go to walmart or wherever and get the tool you usually use to fill an AC system and just not put a can on it.. Leave the valve closed when you connect it to the car and slowly open the valve to release whatever is left in there.
I guess its technically illegal to let freon go into the atmosphere, btw. Sooo whatever, your call.
Also, DO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL RE-FILL THE SYSTEM. The whole system needs to be put under vacuum long enough to cause any and all liquid water to turn to a vapor and escape before you start adding freon.
I guess its technically illegal to let freon go into the atmosphere, btw. Sooo whatever, your call.
Also, DO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL RE-FILL THE SYSTEM. The whole system needs to be put under vacuum long enough to cause any and all liquid water to turn to a vapor and escape before you start adding freon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Kinston North Carolina
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I caught the "draining" part too. At atmospheric pressure, liquid R-134a vaporizes at -15 degrees F. It would have to be a COLD day to drain it!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Tempe Arizona