Can I simply disconnect my A/C compression?

[Tachin]

My compressor is starting to leak oil and splatter it all over the deck lid and engine. Can I just dismount it and disconnect the hoses, or is that stuff under pressure? I want to remove the compressor (and still drive the car) until I have time to restore the full AC system. many thanks.

[HarryD]

How about just removing the belt? If you disconnect the hoses you will lose the refrigerant to the atmosphere (typically illegal, and worth money to you). Also if you are leaking oil you may have already lost your charge and there is nothing to recover.

[James Brown]

yeah just a couple oz of oil in the system, if it is leaking out, the freon is most likely out also, try taking off the service port caps and press the little shradder pin in and see if anything comes out (use a small screwdriver and go slow) if nothing comes out of both, than it would be ok to remove the compressor and cap off the lines. or disconnect the belt!

[kuehl]

Oil is pushed out of the shaft (nose) seal by pressure.

There is very little oil in the compressor as it does not have a sump; the oil is circulated through the system with the refrigerant when the compressor is pumping (the AC system in on, the outer clutch hub is engaged turning the compressor shaft and pistons).

Besides not turning on the AC system (RH side fan speed switch turns it on), you can simply unplug the clutch wire (connection is near the oil filter; translucent cover over the male and female spade connection inside).

Carefully wash out the residual oil, wipe down the AC belt, clean the deck lid, and your are good until the time arises you want to fix it all correctly.

[theclaw]

^^ expert advice.

Releasing r12 is a no-no but if the system is empty as a result of leaks then no issue with disconnecting the hoses and taking the compressor out. It's a lazy man's AC delete. Ask me how I know! You do need to watch out for the oil maybe dribbling out.


Jeff

[thumbdoctor]

Originally Posted by James Brown

yeah just a couple oz of oil in the system, if it is leaking out, the freon is most likely out also, try taking off the service port caps and press the little shradder pin in and see if anything comes out (use a small screwdriver and go slow) if nothing comes out of both, than it would be ok to remove the compressor and cap off the lines. or disconnect the belt!

Wear eye protection if you're going to open the closed system. Some freon in the eyes is never very pleasant.

[Tachin]

Thanks for all the great advice. I will disconnect the belt and electric wire of the compressor for now. Then save up for a whole new kuehl system!