Removing A/C: R134

Hendog · Hendog's Garage

I've had the car for over 7 years. The PO upgraded to R134. It blew barely cool when I picked it up and never cared for it. One of the hoses has chaffed against the lid and has been slowly leaking A/C oil in the engine bay along the right side getting my Magnecor wires wet with this goo. The car's up on stands with no wheels nor front suspension so now's the time to rip out the A/C

So, the question is, can I undo the hoses and deal with the A/C oil with an oil pan? Is there more to this than just undoing the hoses and pulling compressor, condensors?

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Unlike R12 this one will not require you to bring her into an authorized shop to release the refrigerant into the air.

If you protect yourself, wear a mask, R134a is linked to Testicular Cancer. Try your best not to inhale it as much as you can help it.

bfunke · bfunke's Garage

Drago - do you have any evidence to back up your claims of carcinogenicity?

Barrpete · 07:17 AM

If oil is leaking out of the hose, then there is very little, if any, refrigerant left. Particularly after 7 years without (I assume) any recharge.

There really shouldn't be that much oil either, typically just a couple of ounces in the sytem, so you shouldn't need to worry about an oil pan.

To remove the system it's really pretty straightforward. The part that sometimes trips people up is that you have to remove the resistor pack under the passenger side floorboard in order to pull the evaporator out of the smugglers box.

And if you plan on selling the used parts be careful not to break the white capillary tube from the temp switch that's inserted into the evaporator. Once you break that tube the temp switch is useless.

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

There is little oil in the system (even when full) to deal with to answer your original question. We are talking ounces not quarts.

There is no refrigerant in the system left if the oil is from the AC system leaking.

On a preservation note, I bet you can find a high pressure side hose to the lid condenser pretty cheap. You sure you want to pitch the system?

tcar · 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

...R134a is linked to Testicular Cancer. Try your best not to inhale it as much as you can help it.

That's just absolute nonsense...

most asthma (and other) inhalers use R134a as a propellant.