Author Topic: discharge AC system (Read 1129 times)

JackstandJohnny · « **on:** November 03, 2007, 07:07:58 PM »

need to discharge the system to put in a new compressor pump. so umm, how do i go about legitimately discharging the system so as not to kill myself with fumes, or the environment?
can i do this at home or do i need to do it somewhere? and if so, where?

Waytec · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2007, 08:16:24 PM »

Hay, you are going to have to tack it a shop and have them vacate the system for you. Then they can charge it back up agene after the pump it put on. Gust breaking the line is very bad for you and the environment. The one thing you are going to have to watch is if the system has R12 in it, pending how old the unit is, I don’t think they can put that back in. But in Alberta the rules may be different; the last time I took the course was in Ontario. If you have any more questions of if someone knows different let me know

cLAY · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2007, 09:10:12 PM »

You can not get R12 anymore but there are aftermarket subsitutes that will work without haveing to do an r134 conversion. Duracool, Redtrek.

Redtek is available at Canadian Tire and you can do it yourself. But you would have to completely evacuate the system to a vacuum to refill it.

Some comprsseors have backseated valves that allow you to isloate the comp from the rest of the system to change it. My '89 XJ had one.

HIWYH8R · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2007, 09:18:39 PM »

Legal way is to have a shop recover the freon, you/or them change the compressor and they recharge your AC and add dye and leak test. Costs about 200-250ish. You sure it's a problem with the compessor? Noisy? $50,000 dollar fine if caught letting freon out to the atmosphere, and up to $500,000 to a shop that does it.

HIWYH8R · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2007, 09:30:08 PM »

Quote

You can not get R12 anymore but there are aftermarket subsitutes that will work without haveing to do an r134 conversion. Duracool, Redtrek.

Redtek is available at Canadian Tire and you can do it yourself. But you would have to completely evacuate the system to a vacuum to refill it.

Some comprsseors have backseated valves that allow you to isloate the comp from the rest of the system to change it. My '89 XJ had one.

If you use those other freons no one will touch your system because you cant mix them with the normal R134a freon, and it will contaminate the AC machines we use. A conversion to R134a is nothing but a couple fittings and add some special oil to the system and rechare as normal. Costs about $100 more but then anyone can service it, although I'm sure many shops have contaminated recovery tanks (like CT) :roll: We use freon identifier equipement on the system first to see what's in it.

JackstandJohnny · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2007, 11:03:12 PM »

thanks guys. pump says R134a. that one isn't as terrible as actual freon right? as in its more environmentally friendly. either way, i will take it to CT or somethin to do it right

cLAY · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2007, 03:16:44 PM »

I like the Redtek as you don't lose any effeiency lon an R12 system like you do when you switch to R134. Also not all R12 ssytems are simply changed over with a few fittings and seals. We've been stuck for $1000-$1500 bills to change over compressors and condensors before. Particularlly on Chev pickups. I have been told that some of the AC shops in town are now using Redtek on r12 systems for this reason.

No need on a R134 system though since it is still readily available.

HIWYH8R · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2007, 08:42:17 PM »

Man you guy's are misinformed. First off, if you want it (or anything) done right, DON'T take it to CT. I don't mean to bad mouth but I have seen many shady things come from there. Find a nice little local independant shop.

On to AC. Its not rocket science. You don't change compressors, seals, hoses, etc to retrofit to 134. We litterally put new fittings on the old ones so our AC machine hooks up and add a special retrofit oil. Thats it. Recharge, add leak detection dye, leak test and your done. Ya it costs 2-3 hundred bucks but thats the price to do it the right, and legal way.

Those DYI flamable freons do work and nothing wrong with them except no shop (reputable shop) with an ac machine will hook them up and service or repair components due to conamination to the machine (unless the system is completely empty).

redbull · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2007, 10:48:01 PM »

Quote from: "HIWYH8R"

Those DYI flamable freons do work and nothing wrong with them except no shop (reputable shop) with an ac machine will hook them up and service or repair components due to conamination to the machine (unless the system is completely empty).

Not exactly true. A shop that has a tank for collecting "unknown" or already contaminated refrigerant will do it. Autotemp did mine.

You are right that most shops won't touch it, especially if you've already added Redtek or Duracool.

4PLAYZJ · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2007, 09:35:18 AM »

The hydrocarbon based refridgerants can be good replacemant for r-12 if done properly. This is due to the fact that the hydrocarbon molecules are a similar size to that of r-12. The 134a molecule is much smaller and is prone to causing slow leaks in retrofitted systems. Just never use the crap sealant that these aftermarket systems try to push, if you put the sealant in your system I can guarantee you that a service facility will never touch the a/c in your car again.

cLAY · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2007, 02:52:08 PM »

Quote from: "HIWYH8R"

.

On to AC. Its not rocket science. You don't change compressors, seals, hoses, etc to retrofit to 134. We litterally put new fittings on the old ones so our AC machine hooks up and add a special retrofit oil. Thats it. Recharge, add leak detection dye, leak test and your done. Ya it costs 2-3 hundred bucks but thats the price to do it the right, and legal way.

I always wondered about this as I'm a fleet mechanic and we've had many vehicles converted by outside shops. Some said comps and condesors need replacing due to r134 not being as efficient so needing a bigger condensor(not sure about the comp). Other shops just did the seals/fittings and then filled with r134. Generally speaking the ones that did the pumps and condensors worked better and had fewer problems. The ones that just got seals came back with complaints that it didn't work as well as before, and there was a high rate discharge after the first winter.

I'm happy using Redtek for r12 systems. For R134 I tend to stick with it to keep things simple.

JUST REMEMBER TO PUT THE WARNING STICKER ON TO PREVENT SOME SHOP DOWN THE ROAD FROM CONTAIMINATING THEIR EQUIPMENT!

HIWYH8R · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2007, 08:29:11 PM »

As far as the contaminated systems we use our old r12 machine with modified hoses to evacuate 134 systems since we dont use the r12 machine for anything else.

Yes the 134 is not as efficient but we still get decent temps from 35-40 degrees C at the vents.