Swapping AC compressors...

TheCooler · 06-21-2006, 07:39 AM

My current AC compressor has a broken ear on it and it needs to be replaced with my spare compressor. The problem is that the lines have pressure in them now...Can I remove the AC compressor while still keeping the r12 in there or is that impossible? If I cant keep the r12 in there how can I vent it without killing myself?

mscromer · mscromer's Garage

Take your car to an A/C shop and have the r-12 recovered from your system. They can tell how much they recover, and you wont be charged for that amount of r-12 they put back in after you change the commpressor. They will of course charge you labor but you get the amount of r-12 back that they recovered.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

There is no way I can think of to change compressors without emptying the freon. You can use a hose to a grill gas tank to empty the freon into. I have heard of some that have a vacuum pump, and they pull a vacuum on the gas tank and then empty the freon into it and then reuse it. Personally, I would go with new freon. But that is how you properly empty the freon without an expensive machine. Not sure where you take it to properly dispose of it, but probably someone that works on a/c systems will take it. If you are recharging it yourself, don't forget to put the proper amount of oil into the system after you change compressors. I don't have a book in front of me so I'm not sure what that amount is, but probably around 2 oz or so.

TheCooler · 06-21-2006, 10:39 AM

Hmm so i just cant unbolt it and drain it illegally?

mscromer · mscromer's Garage

Yes, you can just crack a line and let it leak out, but why do you want to waste the r-12. R-12 does not go bad. If you take your car to an A/C shop and they recover it, the next car that gets charged will get some of that freon in the shops tank. R-12 cost about $75.00 a pound I think so why do you want to waste it? There is no such thing as new freon. It doesnt go bad. Freon is freon no matter how long it has been used or how old it is. When you have to have your system recharged because your A/C stops blowing cold, its just because it has leaked out naturaly not because you have bad used up freon.

TheCooler · 06-21-2006, 10:53 AM

But the problem is the AC compressor is broken ....SO I have to take it off to drive the car ...OR drive with no alt+compressor....

I remember last time i drove with no Acc belt on the car ran for about 50 miles.

mscromer · mscromer's Garage

Well thats different. Can you some how rig it so it wont fall off and carefully drive to an A/C shop to have the freon recovered? Was your A/C blowing cold? If it wasent you probally dont have that much freon anyway and it probally wouldnt be worth haveing the freon recovered.

TheCooler · 06-21-2006, 11:10 AM

Nope it wasnt blowing cold....but there it some in there...Ill just evacuate it by unbolting it.

..P · 06-21-2006, 02:33 PM

What about the Freon, if you have an old car as I do, with R12, I thought they required you to change over to a new product. Can they legally recharge an old car that still has some R12 in it?

thanks,

P

mscromer · mscromer's Garage

Yes you can still get r-12. As a matter a fact I just replaced my entire A/C system last year and chose to stick with R-12. I dont understand it either. I thought also, that they quite producing it. Just call any A/C place and ask if they can service r-12. I bet they can.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

R12 is not illegal, you just have to be a licensed technician to buy it. They haven't quit making it, just slowed way down which is why it's so expensive. Any licensed technician can still recharge an R12 system legally.