AC removal question?

phoneguy · 06-30-2003, 11:27 AM

The ac compressor is unhooked in my 82 SC. Have no interest in trying to make it work. When pulling it what is involved? Does the system need the freon evacuated first or just unbolt and pull? Thanks!

scott_rogers · scott_rogers's Garage

My understanding is that you should have the freon removed by a dealer so that you do not just release it into the air. I'm also looking to do this project so I would be interested in hearing how this goes for you.

Good Luck
Scott

ZCAT3 · 06-30-2003, 12:01 PM

It depends on how bad of shape it is in. If the system has not been charged in a while and has not worked in years then you probably have no freon left to evacuate. I just changed the hoses in my 86 930 and it had been charged 2 years back (it held that charge for about 1 week). I checked the site glass in the receiver drier and there was no sign of any refrigerant. I checked with my mechanic and he said just remove the hoses. The first hose let some air pressure out but that was all. I removed all hoses (cutting several in the process) and there was no freon at all in the system (a tad bit of AC oil was still in the low points though).

Jim Sims · 06-30-2003, 12:03 PM

Any EPA licensed automotive A/C shop can remove the R-12 for recycling. One does not have to go to a Porsche dealer. The A/C fittings are standard US components. Cheers, Jim

PDACPA · PDACPA's Garage

I thought I read in a post that there was some caution that should be taken in removing the AC hoses if there is any freon as they can whip around. Not sure, but thought I would ask as I am planning on rerunning all of my hoses with new ones.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 07-01-2003, 09:22 AM

I'll bet there isn't a bit of freon left in your system. If I were you, I'd untighten the pressure-side hose, gently as you begin to get it loose. If you hear the hiss of any gas, snug it back up again and have it recycled. If you get it off and there's not a whisper of pressure, pull it the rest of the way off and happily rid your car of a huge amount of weight, which is what I did: compressor, 25 feet worth of hose, two condensors, fan, a/c unit in the smuggler's box, dessicator, fittings, brackets, etc. etc.

Stephan

PDACPA · PDACPA's Garage

Stephan - Do you have a picture or a way to indicate which is the "pressure-side" hose?

Thanks

Jeffra · 07-01-2003, 11:38 AM

Good post! I'm in process of doing same. Got compressor off, now working on hoses and ac unit in smuggler box. No need for ac in Seattle.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

the portions of the unit in the smugglers box, is there a way to take the cooling element out and reinstall the fan? i think that the fan just pulled fresh air over the cooling element and would like to keep the fan to pull fresh air into the cabin. can it be done?

i took my compressor, the radiator deal of the back lid and all the plumbing up to the smugglers box, i got just a little poof from the one hose when i cracked it. my AM gas is probally more harmful to the enviorment then my AC disconnect.

Jim Sims · 07-01-2003, 12:15 PM

huge amount of weight =~75lbs

The high pressure side of the compressor is the side with the fittings/hose leading to the condenser on the back deck lid (sometimes marked D or discharge). The low pressure side can be at pressure too; so beware. There are gaging/charging fittings under the caps on the compressor; these fittings are equipped with Schraeder valves (similar to tire valve stems). One doesn't have to disconnect a line (dangerous) to check for pressure; just depress the pin in center of the Schraeder valve. WEAR EYE PROTECTION! Cheers, Jim

PDACPA · PDACPA's Garage

Thanks Jim. No I cam going to be disconnecting and rerunning my car with new lines so I have been following the AC threads and saving the info I think I will need.

scott_rogers · scott_rogers's Garage

Well I finally got up the nerve to try and check the pressure and do the removal. I'm sure this was not the safest way to do it, but I was positive that this car had little to nothing left in the system. I loosened one of the lines to the "black tube" in the front left wheel well. I knew that if there was any pressure the system would start hissing or spraying. I kept on loosening the line and nothing happened. Finally I pulled the line and the system was clearly empty.

After that, it was a matter of 3 bolts on the compressor, removing the belt and then the condensor from the deck lid. I just love having access to the right side of the engine now.

This weekend I will remove the rest of the hoses and unwanted hardware. I'll put it in the box and let the next owner decide what to do with them.

PDACPA · PDACPA's Garage

what happens to the belt that wraps around the compressor? do you just remove it or have to replace with a shorter one?

scott_rogers · scott_rogers's Garage

I just removed it. This was the outer belt that just ran the compressor on mine.

Jim Sims · 07-02-2003, 10:02 AM

If you disconnect the v-belt, remove the compressor too if you care about the bearings in the compressor clutch. They are at risk of "Brinnelling" if the clutch pulley isn't being turned over. Jim

Trust Me · Trust Me's Garage

Can someone give us a list of what exactly to do to remove the A/C from our 911SC's?
1)
2)
3)
......etc.

Troy

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim Sims
huge amount of weight =~75lbs

The high pressure side of the compressor is the side with the fittings/hose leading to the condenser on the back deck lid (sometimes marked D or discharge). The low pressure side can be at pressure too; so beware. There are gaging/charging fittings under the caps on the compressor; these fittings are equipped with Schraeder valves (similar to tire valve stems). One doesn't have to disconnect a line (dangerous) to check for pressure; just depress the pin in center of the Schraeder valve. WEAR EYE PROTECTION! Cheers, Jim

If phoneguy still have the original York compressor, than there is no shraeder valves under the caps, instead he has a stem valve which must be back off it seat to determine if the system still has freon.

Jim Sims · 07-02-2003, 07:11 PM

I've seen 911 York compressors set up both ways: some with service ports with Schraeder valves and no stem valves (including one from a NOS kit) and some with the stem type service valves in which case the service ports do not have Schraeder valves and the stem valves have to be opened to expose the service ports to the refrigerant pressure as ruf-porsche points out. Indeed, the factory parts manual shows the type with the stem service type valves. Cheers, Jim

Stanley · 07-02-2003, 07:35 PM

Trust Me- Taking the AC out is pretty simple, when I did it I just started unhooking lines and unbolting the compressor and the brackets. Theres really nowhere to mess up as long theres no freon left. I was told by the PO that it hadn't worked in years and was empty. However I was prepared just in case there was any freon left. I had goggles and gloves and when I unhooked the hoses and the only thing that came out was a bunch of dirt and other debris in the lines. The engine compartment also looks much cleaner with it gone and makes working on the engine easer to.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

If I wanted to drive around in a "HOT" car I drive one of my Lotus, but if I wanted to drive around in a "COOL" car I take the Porsche.