DIY Purging AC System

[SyTyJedi]

First off, I want to say that I understand how dangerous Freon is and how it should be handled only by professionals with the proper equipment.

Now - is there any way to do this safely yourself? I'm obviously concerned with the environment, so I don't want to vent it all out into the air.

Is there any way to have a technician come to your house and remove all of the AC from your system?

I need to get everything out of the motor for my buildup, and I regret not doing this before I parked the truck and began to work on it.

Is there a national auto repair chaing that will do this sort of thing? What has everyone else who has run into this situation done?

During an SR20DET swap into a 240SX, some friends used a long extension of some sort (they made it up from parts) to vent the AC while they were 6 ft from the car, outside. That is definitely not my style.

Any help, thoughts, experiences are appreciated.

 

[Loeryder]

I don't know if any old AC tech could do it or not.
Would think if they are qualified to work on central AC then they could properly evacuate your Automotive system.

Find a heating and cooling tech at a local fast food joint or gas station and point blank ask him if he will come by and do it for you for a small charge.

I knew a guy who didn't know much about cars. His alternator went out on a 98 saturn and someone at Autozone was telling him how to unhook it over the phone.
He told the guy there were "coolant lines" running into his alternator...
the autozone fella said "Oh that's ok, just get a rag to catch any coolant that comes out when you disconnect it."
Wonder if he ever realized he just told this poor sap to evacuate his AC right in his garage with poor ventilation.
he had a raspy cough for a few days, but he lived through it....

DO NOT VENT YOUR SYSTEM TO THE ATMOSPHERE!!
we have enough emissions and O zone problems the way it is now.

 

[leroy]

It doesn't have to be purged to remove the motor. You can just unbolt and set it aside.

Freon is not dangerous from a toxic point of view....extremely large quantities are an asphyxiant if enough oxygen is displaced. Phosgene gas is produced when it comes in contact with an open flame. Phosgene is not good for you.

We know R12 isn't good for the ozone. I think a good argument could be made that R12 is not a significant factor in ozone depletion, however. Lots of political and economic issues are involved.

If you are really concerned about the environment, you could sell the Typhoon and get a hybrid or efficient vehicle. Be sure your egr, pcv, and catalytic converter are working good. :wink:

Jim
Proud member of the Sahara club

 

[Methuselah]

If you are having trouble removing the bolts securing the AC compressor to the accessory bracket, because the pulley is in the way....then do what GM should have done better from the factory and grind the flat sides of the heads of those bolts down "flatter" than they are originally, and they will slide out past the pulley as (I hope) GM intended.
________
Shemale ass