how to discharge a.c. circuit?

[krnau 0]

Hi there,

 

I'd like to know if I can do it myself, or has to be "professionally done"?

 

I want to disconnect this:

(is it tthe thingy located in the heater box? that's what I want to disconnect).

 

 

I will also replace (while we're there....) the expansion valve seals

 

see pic. of expansion valve:

 

 

and I'll also be replacing the drier as well

 

 

 

 

so the question is... how should the circuit be emptied? may I get a frozen arm or something ( :lol: )?? is it dangerous?? my gf says there's no problem in doing it myself but who knows!!! (I hope she doesn't read it or I'll get my ***** cut off!)

[mr.ots 10]

If you are going to break into the refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant must be recovered first which requires specialist equipment. It is an offence to evacuate the refrigerant directly into the atmosphere.

 

Also how do you intend to recharge the system once you have carried out the intended repairs as the system will need to be brought under vacuum first, which again requires specialist equipment (vacuum pump, gauges) and you would also need lines, connectors and new R134a refrigerant to carry out the recharge. You should also pressure and leak test the system with with nitrogen and either ultra violet or a sniffer before the recharge.

 

If you are not properly trained in this type of repair I would recommend you leave it to a qualified refrigeration engineer.

[volksworld13 0]

well said mr. ots! couldnt put it better myself. :D

[krnau 0]

If you are going to break into the refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant must be recovered first which requires specialist equipment. It is an offence to evacuate the refrigerant directly into the atmosphere.

 

Also how do you intend to recharge the system once you have carried out the intended repairs as the system will need to be brought under vacuum first, which again requires specialist equipment (vacuum pump, gauges) and you would also need lines, connectors and new R134a refrigerant to carry out the recharge. You should also pressure and leak test the system with with nitrogen and either ultra violet or a sniffer before the recharge.

 

If you are not properly trained in this type of repair I would recommend you leave it to a qualified refrigeration engineer.

 

 

well I only want to take apart the heater box. I don't know if there is gas, coolant, etc that's why asked :|

 

i'd like to know what will I find there. once the evaporator is replaced, I'll obviously take it to a garage so they recharge the system....

[mr.ots 10]

If you are going to break into the refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant must be recovered first which requires specialist equipment. It is an offence to evacuate the refrigerant directly into the atmosphere.

 

Also how do you intend to recharge the system once you have carried out the intended repairs as the system will need to be brought under vacuum first, which again requires specialist equipment (vacuum pump, gauges) and you would also need lines, connectors and new R134a refrigerant to carry out the recharge. You should also pressure and leak test the system with with nitrogen and either ultra violet or a sniffer before the recharge.

 

If you are not properly trained in this type of repair I would recommend you leave it to a qualified refrigeration engineer.

 

 

well I only want to take apart the heater box. I don't know if there is gas, coolant, etc that's why asked :|

 

i'd like to know what will I find there. once the evaporator is replaced, I'll obviously take it to a garage so they recharge the system....

 

I'm not familar with how the evaporator is located within the heater matrix compartment, but if you intend removing it, it does of course contain refrigerant so disconnecting it would allow the refrigerant to escape, unless it has already lost it's full charge due to a catastrophic leak.

 

If you need to remove the heater matrix to gain access to the evaporator then you would need to drain the coolant from that first. I'm sure someone on here who has removed one in the past will be able to tell you.

 

Why are you removing the evaporator, is it damaged?

[krnau 0]

 

I'm not familar with how the evaporator is located within the heater matrix compartment, but if you intend removing it, it does of course contain refrigerant so disconnecting it would allow the refrigerant to escape, unless it has already lost it's full charge due to a catastrophic leak.

 

If you need to remove the heater matrix to gain access to the evaporator then you would need to drain the coolant from that first. I'm sure someone on here who has removed one in the past will be able to tell you.

 

Why are you removing the evaporator, is it damaged?

 

 

hi, yes that's what I would like to know: the way of draining the coolant of the evaporator ...

 

it's not damaged, I'm just pulling out the heater box so I need to unplug the evaporator

[mr.ots 10]

When you say removing the "coolant" from the evaporator I assume you mean "refrigerant". As I said before, the correct way to remove the refrigerant is with specialised recovery equipment. When properly recovered, refrigerant is either recycled or incinerated so that it does not cause environmental damage.

 

Obviously it is possible to vent the refrigerant to the atmosphere by just disconnecting the evaporator connections and allowing it to escape, but I can not recommend this as it is illegal.

[krnau 0]

When you say removing the "coolant" from the evaporator I assume you mean "refrigerant". As I said before, the correct way to remove the refrigerant is with specialised recovery equipment. When properly recovered, refrigerant is either recycled or incinerated so that it does not cause environmental damage.

 

Obviously it is possible to vent the refrigerant to the atmosphere by just disconnecting the evaporator connections and allowing it to escape, but I can not recommend this as it is illegal.

 

I may take it to a local garage to get it discharged then.

 

does anyone know if I can remove the heater box but leave the evaporator and heater matrix still connected to their pipes?

 

any pics of a corrado with the dash out so I can see it? rthanks :) :)