A/C Removal.

[JMitchell]

Happy Holidays Pelican Forum,

I am considering removing my A/C on my 84 Carrera. I very seldom use the A/C and would like additional room in the engine compartment for adjusting valves, cleaning etc.

Is there a professional and responsible way of doing this.

Are there plugs and caps to seal the system.

Do you guy's think this will cause me grief when I reinstall the system down the road.

Thank you!

John

[stormmaster]

I took mine out of my 87 a few weeks ago....took out everything related to the ac.....including all the lines....I have no regrets....never used the thing anyway....it sure cleans up the engine compartment...and the smugglers box....the hardest part was getting the mounting plate for the compressor removed.

[stormmaster]

I will detail the engine compartment when I finish with the rest of the body work

[johnnywishbone]

1978 930............
although i'm in southern california, i removed my compressor and condenser. i really dislike ac. i have sunroof. also have (but not installed) flip-out rear windows. i am now under the car replacing various hoses. pulling the ac hoses cleans things up a bit. as i understand the history, the good doctor never wanted ac in the 911. it was forced upon him.

[Thrlls]

I'm in Honolulu, and I removed all the a/c components in the engine compartment when I had the engine out. Next will be the hoses running along the driver side and the S-box.
However, I also have installed the door vented windows for some fresh air. I was going to also install the rear vented windows, but I figured the air can be exhausted via the door windows and the sunroof. Besides, I think it would be a PITA when having to close the rear windows and the way rain comes and goes even on sunny days, it could become a problem if left open....yes I'm too lazy to reach in the back!

[TT Oversteer]

I removed mine and I have no regrets. Easier acces to the engine, 50+ lbs. weight loss, engine runs cooler.

It sounds like you are worried about the environmental impact of venting the freon into the atmosphere? Think of it this way: that stuff was destined to be in the ozone layer the day it was made. No matter what you do it will end up there eventually. Maybe when you take the system apart or maybe when your leaky hoses vent or maybe when the car goes to the crusher. It's inevitable.

Yank that ugly Rube Goldberg monstrousity off there and you will be glad you did every time you wrench on your car.

If you intend to try and put the system back together sometime in the future I would recommend just taking the compressor off and leave it at that. There are a lot of components, hoses, brackets, switches, wires, etc that would be a nightmare to put back together once stripped from the car.

[lindy 911]

If the car is running you can simply take it to your local shop, any shop really, and have them do a vacuum pull on the system that will rid it of most of the refrigerant. A small bit will be left but nothing like just cracking open the valve and letting it rip. Pulling the A/C is kind of like deciding whether to amputate an infected finger; once you do it it's hard to return to where you were.

On the positive side, I have been in the rebuild process for some time and decided to eliminate the A/C in my '78 SC Targa. The pile of crap is amazing if you do the entire pull. I think the 50# estimate is way low! The car "feels" better without it even though it's still up on jack stands. One note of caution; once I got started on the A/C pull it has been very difficult to stop looking for other non-necessary bits and pieces to yank out. There is a lot of wiring for optional accessories that can be pulled. If I get time I'll put my pile on the garage floor and get a picture. It is amazing.

Lindy

[tcar]

If you're just removing the compressor, make sure you don't leave open orifices. Plug them both. Also plug the openings on the removed compressor.

[mca]

Love hearing these stories ....

I, too, pulled my A/C a couple of weeks ago. Just the compressor and condensor so far.

Do you guys pull the blower too? I'd still like to be able to get fan air from the center vents. This helps when it is muggy and rainy.

[TT Oversteer]

Go for it!

Before:



56 lbs of dead weight



Ahh, much better!

[pplkook]

Wow TT that IS a lot of junk for sure....I am thinking of doing the same.

It also looks like you did a heat back-date too, correct?

-Jack

[JMitchell]

You guy's are awesome. Consider it done. Looking forward to a clean engine compartment!

Thanks for the pictures and comments.

Happy Holidays!

John

[K Sykes]

I did the same, full monty, all the hoses and everything.

Question I have, is there any market for this stuff, or is it in the dumpster?

Kinsley

[89911]

Originally Posted by K Sykes

I did the same, full monty, all the hoses and everything.

Question I have, is there any market for this stuff, or is it in the dumpster?

Kinsley

I put mine on Ebay and sold if for a lot of money. I listed everything individually and some guy in Germany bought every part. I think it was a flukey thing, and I didn't think I would get much out of it. Removing my AC was one upgrade that I never doubted. Of course if you have a great example of a non molested car, it would come into play. My car is so modified, this didn't really mater.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by stormmaster

....the hardest part was getting the mounting plate for the compressor removed.

Stormmaster

My bracket still there... How hard, any trick, time???

Cheers

J.J.

[stormmaster]

Easier if you remove your muffler and slightly bend the right side muffler mounting bracket (on a 3.2)... there is a bolt behind that......there is also a hidden allen bolt(top of the bracket) that I had to go get a socket to fit took me a couple hours I guess including tool searching. Well worth the effort in getting it out though....looked kinda funny sitting there empty.

[TT Oversteer]

Originally Posted by pplkook

Wow TT that IS a lot of junk for sure....I am thinking of doing the same.

It also looks like you did a heat back-date too, correct?

-Jack

Yep, heater backdate saved another 6lbs or so high up on the rear of the car. Easier to access left side of engine too. I've never had a problem with insufficient hot airflow with just the engine cooling fan blowing air. But it doesn't get as cold in CA as some other places!

[bklyn]

My 2 cents, Dont junk up your car!

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by stormmaster

Easier if you remove your muffler and slightly bend the right side muffler mounting bracket (on a 3.2)... there is a bolt behind that......there is also a hidden allen bolt(top of the bracket) that I had to go get a socket to fit took me a couple hours I guess including tool searching. Well worth the effort in getting it out though....looked kinda funny sitting there empty.

Don

Thanks, another project for the list...

J.J.

[stormmaster]

Its my car...I will junk it up any way I wish....people that have seen mine in person dont think there is anything junky about it.....and even if they did....it makes no difference. The only reason for owning one of these cars is to make ME happy. One mans junk is another mans treasure.