What happens to freon when disconnecting system?

[pbs911]

It's winter and since the AC doesn't work anyways, I want to remove the compressor but not the entire system. I plan on installing a rotory compressor, procooler and some new hoses over the winter.
If I disconnect the hoses will freon spray all over and ruin my paint or make me go blind? Can I still have children if I inhale the stuff? Stupid question but I'm totally ignorant on this subject. Thanks.

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Paul
78SC Targa
Pelican Parts Members Gallery

[This message has been edited by pbs911 (edited 10-15-2001).]

[emcon5]

As expensive as Freon is these days, you should find a friend to donate it to. A/C shops have equipment to reclaim freon from your system. I don't see why you couldn't put the same amount into someone else's car.

Even if you don't do this, you should take it to an A/C shop to empty the Freon from the system. I would call around, you may be able to find someone who will do it for free (so they can sell your freon later).

Tom

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82 911SC Coupe

[adamnitti]

well, if you just 'disconnect the hoses', the freon will shoot straight to the ozone and destroy it. also, you don't want it shooting all over your skin. ouch.

seriously, you need to have the freon 'recovered' by someone with a recovery device before going and removing a/c hoses, etc.. it is considered dangerous and irresponsible to just let it blow out into the atmosphere. it might not even cost you anything if you decide to give the shop the freon, but any decent a/c shop will have the capability.

oh yeah... and if you live in atlanta or close by, i'd like to have your freon if you don't need it anymore... :-)
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Adam Nitti
ajnitti@mindspring.com
www.adamnitti.com
'85 911 Carrera Coupe
'72 BMW 2002tii
'97 Grand Cherokee Limited
Peachstate PCA member

[This message has been edited by adamnitti (edited 10-15-2001).]

[Joeaksa]

The above posters are correct but one more thing. The "dryer" on your system tries to dry the moisture out of your system. When you open it up to the atmosphere it will again try to dry the moisture out of the world, which is not really possible but you will lose your dryer. I have heard of people trying to "bake" them in the oven at a low heat to get the moisture out of them but not sure if this works.

If you are going to change the compressor you should either cap off the dryer (if you want to reuse it) or plan on buying a new dryer when you get the new compressor. Depends on how old your system is, and if you are going to go back with R12 or R134.

Believe that you have to get a new dryer anyway if you switch to R134 but someone like R22Tech would know lots more than we do!

JoeA

[Jim T]

When was the last time you had it charged?

With the non-barrier hoses on the earlier cars, like the '78, it is doubtful that much, if any, freon is left in your system, if you have not had it recharged in the last year or so.

[R22tech]

What you do w/ the r12 is up to you- It is illegal to knowingly "vent" r12 into the atmosphere and carries a $25,000 fine if caught. An a/c repair shop will undoubtedly CHARGE you for recovering your freon and if they are legit-they will NOT reuse it in someone else's car. That being said, r12 is accidently released into the atm. unknowingly by laymen, such as yourself, all the time. Usually, they put guages on it and open the discharge line valve thinking that is how to check it when, before they know it, all the freon has escaped from the system. Since the center hose, or charging, hose is usually laying on the ground, neither the car nor the person is damaged by the escaping freon. If this happens to you, it is important to seal the system up so contaminents or moisture are not introduced causing a nightmare repair. If you remove just the compressor, it would be wise to seal the suction and discharge lines off w/ electrical tape until you can make an adapter w/ (2) male fittings that match the compressor fittings and attach the hoses to it to seal it permanently. Also, mark the lines S and D so you know which is which when you put the a/c back together.

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

Supports ozone depletion.

Don´t let it know the smog nazis.

But if your Schrader valve has a leak .........

And be carefull R12 is not a killer but can leave enough problems showing up much later.

As you need to refill anyhow you better check out your local shop to do a deal.

If you can´t deep evacuate you will run into several problems plus you maybe have to switch to R134a.

Grüsse,
Roland

[pbs911]

Thanks for the replies.

I have never had the AC charged in the over two years I've owned the car. The AC blows nothing more than ouside air into the cabin. So I doubt there is any freon in the system.
I'll take it to the corner and have the guy discharge the system anyways. I don't want to be blamed for anyones sunburn.

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Paul
78SC Targa
Pelican Parts Members Gallery

[rstoll]

I would just leave it as is until you get ready to make the compressor change. Not good to introduce moisture into the system by leaving it open. I wouldn't worry too much about spending the money to have the r12 (if any) recovered. Probably not any in the system anyway.

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Robert Stoll
83 SC
83 944

[911pcars]

Licensed A/C shops should have a recharging machine that recycles and cleans reclaimed R12. How else could they adequately, correctly and legally service an A/C system? At the prevailing price of R12, the shop should pay you to take it although this is probably not the case. Call around. You might be surprised.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars
http://www.seinesystems.com

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

The 911 system is a pure recirculation from the cabin.
The 911 system is based on the knowledge from the 60´s and only adoptet or improved if the old stuff wasn´t to get anymore.
Yet on the 928 and the 964 Porsche showed that they can stay in competition.
To much Doctores where driving Porsches and writing bad letters about to cold body parts supporting sickness ( Porsche fever ? ).

Depending on the content from the dryer you can "cook" it out.
Yet the best is to have hot day, a high vacuum over long time and use a hairdryer to speed up the moisture vanishing out.
But a new part is the best plus the old dryers don´t like to work with the new generation oil stuff.

The damn thing with FC is that it need several years to get into the stratosphere.

Right now the stuff up there eating up our sunrayprotection is from the 70´s and 80´s.
And the worst is we have the ozone on the ground maybe someone invents how to ship it up there ;-).

Best benefit; South Australia will see nude people on the beach again ;-)

Grüsse,
Roland