A/C Removal + R134a disposal question
 

I have a little problem... I want to remove my A/C (and need to remove it to get my front cover off), but it was rececntly recharged with r134a refrigerant. Is there any way for me to drain the system and dispose of the refridgerant (preferably in a proper, environmentally-safe way)? I can't take my car to a shop to do it, because she isn't running... any suggestions on what I can do?

Thanks,
Eric

You don't have to remove the AC system to remove the front cover - you just unbolt the compressor and set it over to the side.

That said, R134A is safe to vent to atmosphere - that's why they sell it at Wal-Mart :).

If the AC works, leave it on there.

Dale

At least that's what they say this year.

They use to say the same stuff about R-12. I used to buy R-12 at K-mart in 16oz cans for $1.00 per can. Now the stuff is treated like toxic waste........

Really want to save the enviornment just roll down the windows ;)

Actually if you read around there are a few articles on how they found out that R-12 isnt nearly as damaging as they thought it was.

Alright, got it done. Vented the r134a to atmosphere. Took me acouple hours, because if I opened it up too far (the r134a kit had a valve asdapter I used) it started pulling oil out of the system. Overall about 3 hours to vent it all at that slow rate. Removal took an additional 3 or 4 hours, mainly because those lines were corroded together and almost impossible to remove from one another. Weighed it, came in around 40 lbs of savgins (everything removed except the relays: compressor, lines, radiator, dryer, evaporator).

I have yet to make a substitute for the evaporator uunder the passenger-side dash. I plan to do this by simply taking some 3" gutter pipe and duct-taping it to connect the two heating system parts. I'm goign to plug the holes in the firewall with some fat, short bolts and nuts with washers. It should get the job done well enough.

This site has a pretty good write-up on removal:
http://www.rx7turbo.com/tbmod.htm
NOTE: He says that there are only two bolts that hold on your A/C compressor -- mine had four. Model year differences I guess...

Thanks for the advice,
Eric