Evacuating Air Conditioning - Troubleshooting - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• Evacuating Air Conditioning by jeepwillies on 11 Apr, 2007 00:14
• I have a 2002 TDI that I am removing from the car (to be put in a 1987 Vanagon) and need to work around the AC system.  I am wondering if I can remove the engine without getting the AC evac’d?  Can I just pull the pump off the motor and move it out of the way?
  Or should I just bite the bullet and have it evac’d?
  
  Next question is if I need to have it evac’d, does anyone know of any services in Calgary that would come to my garage and do it, as the car is obviously not running right now.
• #1 by QuickTD on 11 Apr, 2007 00:36
• Is the AC even still charged? If the car was a wreck the AC is often discharged due to condenser damage.
  
   In any case, the lines are long enough that the condenser and compressor can be set aside to allow engine removal. It'll be moderately in your way but it can be left charged.
  
   If you're not planning on reusing any of the AC componenets you could have an "accident" involving an axe and the condensor to discharge the system, but I'm not going to condone that sort of behavior...
• #2 by nkb on 11 Apr, 2007 02:48
• the ac refrigerant is r134 and isn't as enviro hazardous as r12, your supposed to have it contained to remove it but id just unbolt the lines and let it vent, just don't do it in a closed garage, ive done it in my driveway once and i couldn't believe the cloud of gas that filled my yard. (it was r12 tho )
• #3 by burn_your_money on 11 Apr, 2007 08:27
• wow.. good thing the last car I took apart wasn't charged, I might have killed myself in my garage. Or gotten really high. I'm not familiar with R12
• #4 by saurkraut on 11 Apr, 2007 08:55
• Best of my recollection.  R12 is the old stuff, non-flamible, but attacks the ozone layer (maybe).  Works alot better.
  
  R124, the crappy but effective replacement.  Dosen't attack the ozone layer, but is extremely flamable.
  
  Before all the hoopola about the ozone layer, Ive dumped ac sytems, in closed garages.  Duckies and bunnies didn't die, buildings didn't lose pieces of brick and women didn't take children off the streets.
  
  Best of my recollection.
• #5 by jeepwillies on 11 Apr, 2007 10:16
• Thanks for the tips, but I have to admit, "having an accident" and letting it all fly away is not an option I would chose.  
  Sorry to get all environmental, but has anyone read the paper lately?  Our world is kinda in a bit of trouble right now, AKA Global Warming!
• #6 by burn_your_money on 11 Apr, 2007 11:01
• Check to see if it is charged. There is a vent on it and you just press it in like a tire valve. If you hear pressure you need a pro (unless there is another option) if no hissing then just take it apart.
• #7 by jeepwillies on 11 Apr, 2007 11:10
• Yeah, that's what I thought.  Thanks I will certainly give that a try tonight.
• #8 by saurkraut on 11 Apr, 2007 13:00
• From: http://www.sadik.net/nissan/howto/ac_r12.htm
  
  At the present time, there are NO FEDERAL RESTRICTIONS on the sale of R-134a Refrigerant, because it is not an Ozone Depleting Substance or "CFC". The sale of R-134a is restricted in the state of Wisconsin, where it can only be sold to certified technicians.
  
  So, at the present time, it appears its OK to "let er rip" if its R134a.  Just make sure there is no ignition source as it is flamable.  That flamible thing really bugs me, just what we need strapped to the front of our cars.  If you could get someone to recover it, there might be a financial concideration as its over $10/lb. and at full charge, there are a few pounds in the system
  
  My earlier comment was for R12 venting safty.  Once upon a time, it was OK to "let er rip".  It wont kill you.  R12 is a chloroflorocarbon (CFC).  CFCs were blaimed for the hole in the ozone layer over the poles.  Since we've eliminated CFCs from airosol cans and AC systems, I havn't seen much on the hole in the ozone layer.  There was one report I read that said CFCs would condense, or freeze befor it even got close to the ozone layer, so we have probably tossed out a good safe refrigerant based on junk science.
  
  As far as global warming, i don't know if the hole in the ozone layer was any way related to global warming.  You may want to search the internet and see if R134a is a green house gas.  Last big news I saw on green house gases was that the biggest green house gas generator was cow flatulence.
• #9 by jtanguay on 11 Apr, 2007 13:04
• the bentley or haynes i had showed the guy moving the whole a/c system to the side to get the motor out.   but thats on a vw.
  
  some guy's might pay you a few bucks for the R12... or just ask them a favour later on when you're installing it (get them to vacuum it for you)
  
  and i recommend using the hydrocarbon refrigerant.  Duracool makes it.  flammable yes, but way better than crappy R134A.  my system is still working great.  been a year since i charged it.
• #10 by saurkraut on 11 Apr, 2007 13:42
• a 2002 TDI should have R134a in it.  R134a started showing up in VWs around '93.
• #11 by jtanguay on 11 Apr, 2007 20:35
• Quote from: "saurkraut"

  a 2002 TDI should have R134a in it.  R134a started showing up in VWs around '93.

  
  
  R134a is also very corrosive, and much less efficient than the hydrocarbon refrigerant (propane).  it is also made from 3 seperate gases, one of which has a very small molecule which escapes very easily with older worn out seals.