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Whats in air con pipes?
coozer - 18/12/13 at 06:45 PM

Over crimbo I will be taking the motor and trans out of Dobbie for a few new bits..

Just wondering what happens when I disconnect the pipes off the air con pump?

Is there 2 circuits, or just one with the gas inside?

The air con works fine, ice cold (no use just now mind) so would like to keep it for the one time in summer its any use!

Whats the procedure?

coyoteboy - 18/12/13 at 06:53 PM

Pressurised refrigerant (something akin to butane). If you crack a seal you've lost it. One circuit. The procedure is take it to someone to vent it responsibly into a receiver tank (or vent it illegally to atmosphere) and then when the work is done you may be able to just reconnect and get it vac'd down and re-gassed if you're lucky.

I just ripped the air con out of my car, waste of time in the UK.

[Edited on 18/12/13 by coyoteboy]

r1_pete - 18/12/13 at 06:54 PM

I'm pretty sure its illegal to just vent the refrigerant to atmosphere.

But, somewhere on the system there should be a tyre type valve to fill the system, which you can release it through.

Best option is to take it to a re gassing quick fit type place, get them to de gas it and then take it back to them for re filling, you should be able to negotiate a staged payment.....

theprisioner - 18/12/13 at 06:56 PM

There are mobile services too. Best to discharge is legally.

britishtrident - 18/12/13 at 07:27 PM

In the majority of cars on the roads the refrigerant is usually freon r-134a with oil.
It is illegal for any motor trade or air conditioning professional not to pump it out before disconnecting the pipes.

The system is simple loop as in a fridge.
compressor pump outlet - > high pressure condenser -> restrictor refrigerating valve -> low pressure evaporator -> compressor pump inlet.

The low pressure pipe is the larger diameter, the high pressure one is smaller bore.

[Edited on 18/12/13 by britishtrident]

MkIndy7 - 18/12/13 at 07:58 PM

Could you not just unbolt the A/C compressor from the block leaving all the pipes etc connected?
Woul save a lot of hassle and money getting in pumped down and re-gassed etc

matt_gsxr - 18/12/13 at 10:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy

I just ripped the air con out of my car, waste of time in the UK.



Perhaps a bit of a generalisation given you live in one of the colder bits.

coozer - 18/12/13 at 10:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MkIndy7
Could you not just unbolt the A/C compressor from the block leaving all the pipes etc connected?
Woul save a lot of hassle and money getting in pumped down and re-gassed etc


Yep. thats what I'm thinking now as long as theres room and pipes are not rigid..

Peteff - 18/12/13 at 10:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboyI just ripped the air con out of my car, waste of time in the UK.


It's the best thing out in winter for demisting the windscreen, clears it in seconds far better than just the blower.

mark chandler - 18/12/13 at 11:01 PM

Would not buy a car without working A/C these days

Bare - 19/12/13 at 03:47 AM

As usual Lotsa Opinions few facts.
Intially, R12 (freon)was the ubiquitous refrigerant, it worked 'fine' for decades..bothy in AC units and in Rattle cans.
Subsequently it was deemed as Ozone unfriendly.
Problem was; as a 'designed' refrigerant..it was really good at it's intended purpose. Substitutes proved to be not nearly as efficient.
R134A was the 'decreed' substitute.. didn't/ doesn't work near as well (30% less efficient)
Unsurprisingly it too was eventually deemed as not so environmentally friendly either.
DIY substitutes .. typically Butane, cool fine (better than R134a) but it pisses out of hoses and seals at an alarming rate.. Despite.. Salesmens' continuing Bleats that it doesn't
Odd thing is that while it is against the Rules to vent R134a to atmosphere. Typical electronics/computer Dust Off or similar 'compressed air' cans as well as Rattle cans are the EXACT same stuff as what is sold as R134a.
Some even buy these for R134a top ups to their AC (wayyy cheaper when bought as Dust off) Do a bit of label reading :-)
One cannot make this Stupidity up.. unfortunately.

Once you have opened an AC system to atmosphere one needs put a Vacuum on the system to ~30inches, for at least a half hour to remove ALL moisture inherent in breathing air.
Failure to do so will result in a damaged/garbage AC system.

me! - 19/12/13 at 07:25 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Bare
As usual Lotsa Opinions few facts.


Pot.... kettle?

adithorp - 19/12/13 at 08:39 AM

quote:
Originally posted by me!
quote:
Originally posted by Bare
As usual Lotsa Opinions few facts.


Pot.... kettle?




While the first part may be correct and a direct answer to the heading, it's completely irrelevant to the actual post and the last bit is just a repeat of what others have already said.

coyoteboy - 19/12/13 at 01:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Bare
As usual Lotsa Opinions few facts.


I don't think you added anything here, nothing you wrote adds to the info already present other than to point out the difference in name of the two major refrigerants from history and a nice little rundown of which ones work and why (which wasn't requested by the OP). If you're going to get offensive you have to at least add something to the discussion.

nick205 - 19/12/13 at 03:05 PM

quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy

I just ripped the air con out of my car, waste of time in the UK.

[Edited on 18/12/13 by coyoteboy]



Bobbins...aircon is not just about cooling in summer, it makes a big difference this time of year by keeping the interior drier and faster demisting.

I'd not have a daily driver without aircon these days.

mookaloid - 19/12/13 at 03:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy

I just ripped the air con out of my car, waste of time in the UK.

[Edited on 18/12/13 by coyoteboy]



Bobbins...aircon is not just about cooling in summer, it makes a big difference this time of year by keeping the interior drier and faster demisting.

I'd not have a daily driver without aircon these days.


Yep // what he said

coyoteboy - 20/12/13 at 01:09 PM

I have no problem keeping my interior dry?

I have air con on my other tin top and never use it, and it's a wasteful addition of 25kg to my nippy tin top.

coozer - 30/12/13 at 06:47 PM

And, the bolt holding the pipe to the cooler sheared off taking it apart... DOH!