Quick Question
 

Hey guys, I'm in the process of taking out my motor, and I got to the p/s and a/c compressor. Now, I already managed to get the p/s off, but I'm afraid to mess with the a/c, cuz I heard you're supposed to discharge it before doing anything to it. The problem is, I didn't find out until I already started taking stuff out. Is this true, or is there a way I can get it out or something without having to worry about anything? I tried searching, but didn't really come up with anything. I'm stuck with that, and I can't find the brake pressure hose or something (I dunno the exact terminology cuz the manual and stuff is downstairs in the garage now, and I'm mechanically challenged). Any help would be appreciated...Thanks.

you should be able to push the compressor out of the way and bungee cord it up, you could even go so far as wrap the compressor in a towel to keep your paint from possibly getting scratched.


don't unbolt any of the lines or the system will discharge, it could hurt you or the car if the lines are onbolted quickly. R12 freon in these cars is extremely expensive so if it is full it is about $200+ to replace all of the freon unless you retrofit it to work with R134a and i don't know how well these systems hold up to the conversion so i would try as i suggested and work around the system.

all of this assuming your a/c still even works, it could already have been discharged.

but for safety sake, just work around the AC compressor. i did it when i pulled my motor. its not that big of a hassle

So I don't need to pull it or anything? Oh, and I know a guy that deals with a/c and heating and all that. My dad says if he stopped by he could discharge it probably. Could I go that route?

like i said, R12 is expensive, if your a/c is working still then work around the compressor rather than removing it.

in all simplisity its easier to unbolt the a/c compressor from the engine and set it aside and not have to disconnect any of the refrigerant lines and run the risk of spraying freon everywhere and possibly getting it in your eyes. so just unbolt the 4 bolts that hook the compressor to the engine and set it aside, much easier

It's not really an issue with the eyes as much as it's an issue breathing it in. R 12 is heavier than air, so breathing it in can kill you or deprive your brain of oxygen at the least.

Remember it is a federal offense to discharge R12 in to the air. As well as you can get frost bite burns if you get skin in the discharge stream.

And Freeze 12 is a cost effective replacement for R12 as is R12A. R12A is considerably more enviromentally sound than either Freeze 12 or R12 if you can find it.

i've never heard of anyone dying from breathing R12, but smoking while discharging it would cause you to be breathing mustard gas which can kill you. burnt R12 is quite deadly, R12 is also one of the main destroying factors of ozone.



i as well as many of my fellow mechanics have breathed in plenty of the stuff in single sittings and we are still here. it just makes you light headed. i wouldn't suggest putting your lips on the hose and sucking it in like helium though...

Alright guys, I'm gonna go ahead and just unbold it from the engine and set it off to the side. I appreciate all your help. Wish me luck. =D