Flightoficarus

Hey all,

I know the best way to figure this one out is probably to just call some places, but I want to get an idea of what on average, you might pay. Not too expensive, I'd imagine?

I'm removing my A/C soon, and none of the parts stores around here seem to rent out tools for you to DIY. Sure, there's the illegal way, but environmental stuff aside, I'm gonna be working in a garage, and don't feel like getting blasted in the face or breathing in a bunch of the crap!

eseibel67

If it's a recovery only, cost will be minimal.

Tibo

iTrader: (15)

My AC hadn't worked in many years, I don't think it had more than a few psi in it, if any. Had yours been working or had you recharged it recently?

Flightoficarus

To be completely honest, I've never even tried using the A/C since the car has t-tops, but I vaguely remember the seller either saying that it needed a recharge, or it didn't work very well back when I bought it.

Reid Fleming

iTrader: (2)

If you get blasted in the face with it, you risk going blind. Refrigerant will freeze your cornea. Causes permanent damage. Safety goggles are a must. Even when just checking the pressure.

The labor on sucking refrigerant out of your car is zilch. It's just two hoses that screw onto your service ports. From there, it sucks it back into their machine. Back when I had my R-12 sucked out and vacuumed, it was a simple 30 minute labor charge. (I wanted them to run a vacuum on it for 30 minutes).

If all you want is for them to remove the refrigerant, you could probably slide any shop a $20 bill.

Flightoficarus

So, I have one more question - Since I've never actually tried using the A/C, what if I went to go try it out, and it doesn't blow any cold air at all? Does that mean the system is empty, or at least low enough that I can safely remove it without having to take it somewhere to get drained?

I've done a bit of calling around, and haven't found a place willing to only drain it out (They will only do recharges - probably so they can charge full service price), and I work irregular hours (overnight), so I'd prefer to avoid having to take it somewhere shady that's only open during a time I'm normally sleeping if possible

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

Not necessarily so. There is a pressure safety switch that cuts the compressor off when the pressure is too low. There may still be a good bit in there though. Any ammount released into the environment is not a good thing, as well as illegal. Though it is commonly done(even by certified technitians) Recovery is the only responsible way to do it.



edit: Try a residential HVAC company,they should have the recovery equipment.

paulo57509

Note: Residential HVAC units don't use automotive type refrigerants. They won't want to contaminate their recovery equipment by mixing recovered refrigerants.

eseibel67

Over the phone, your request sounded fishy so the shop just said they will only do a recovery and recharge. If you actually went there and explained what your are trying to do they would probably do it.

bwiencek

Call and tell them you are doing a "full restoration" on the car or turning it into a "drag car" and need to have the A/C system evacuated before unbolting all the a/c components and so you just need the evac and not a recharge - that should make more sense to the phone jockey if you call a major chain or somewhere they have only a semi-knowledgeable service writer.

Bringing it by a smaller shop that does A/C service is probably the best way to get it done as you can explain what you're doing and like Reid said they'll probably do it for $20 or if it's got a lot of R12 in it they might know it's worth more to get free refrigerant to re-sell to someone later and do it for no cost...

Flightoficarus

Good news/an update everyone!

Found a place w/a machine for R-12 refrigerant willing to do a recovery dirt cheap. Showed up this morning - Turns out the system was already empty! My guess would be that the PO drained it out and never got around to actually removing the A/C? Regardless, no charge to find out

I do have one more question though - When I remove it, I have to get a non A/C heater box to keep my heat/defrost, correct? I do live in western WA, where I will still want these things. If I went without the box for awhile for whatever reason, is the only other way to drive the car to bypass the heater core? Haven't digged into it much yet, just curious.

lunati397

whatever a ball point pen costs

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

Already empty, no charge... pun intended?
No it will work fine with no compressor or other A/C parts. Should leave the evaporator(part in the A/C box) just so it is sealed up.