disconnecting A/C parts (how-to) ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sactoC10 · 10-23-2003, 10:57 AM

Maybe I am imagining things, but isn't the freon supposed to be dangerous in A/C systems? This weekend I'd like to remove some of my A/C parts (pump, brackets) along with my alternator as I continue into deeper cleaning and painting of misc pieces. I have some concerns though about the A/C lines.

What do I need to know about this? The A/C according to the PO has not worked for some time.

Please advise!
Thanks-

BadAssChevy502 · 10-23-2003, 11:09 AM

Are you gonna re use the a/c system ,if so you should let the pressure be in it otherwise i guess your pump will get stuck after a while.
and if you are not gonne use the a/c anymore,freon is not dangerous to your health or any as long as you remove it in a well ventilated area

I hope this is correct otherwise the I will be corrected by the other board members

Hope I was of any help to you,and good luck on the A/C and the Truck

sactoC10 · 10-23-2003, 12:43 PM

Well the PO removed the belt, but the pump still moves freely by hand. I do intend to fix it next year and use it eventually.

So as long as I am outside I can disconnect the necessary hoses (and what not) in order to get beneath them and remove the pump.

Great, thanks!

fatfords · 10-23-2003, 01:45 PM

More than likely if the AC hasn't worked for awhile, most of the freon has leaked out already. The freon contains CFC's which are supposedly linked to the hole in the ozone.

In some places (CA is probably one) it is illegal to vent R-12 into the atmosphere. It is supposed to be recovered. Like BAC502 said, I don't think it is harmful if you breath it, but if you happen to crack a line open on accident, I would make sure it is in a well ventilated area and you just happen to have on eye protection.

If you intend to re-use the components, I would plug the hoses/fittings with caps. Especially the POA valve as those things are expensive. You don't want to get any moisture in the system to cause corrosion/rust.

Good Luck!

Luv68's · 10-23-2003, 07:38 PM

Be very careful , if your not sure liquid refrigerant is nothing to play with. Refrigerant can be removed by a recovery machine. If you open the liquid line by mistake and get liquid refigerant on your skin it will burn you ( freezes the skin on contact ). Take it to a pro if you are not sure.

valley 67 · 10-23-2003, 07:55 PM

REMOVING REFRIGERANT OR VENTING IS ONLY ILLEGAL IF YOUR CERTIFED OTHERWISE YOU WOULDNT KNOW IF YOU WERE CERTIFIED YOU COULD GET FINED BY EPA. JUST REMEMBER THAT LIQUID REFRIGERANT DOES GET COLD QUICKLY WHEN IT STARTS TO VAPORIZE IT GETS REALLY COLD ALSO PRESSURE FOR R12 IS PRETTY MUCH POUND OF PRESSURE TO AMBIENT DEGREES OUT SIDE EX. IF 80 OUTSIDE PRESSURE IN LINES AROUND 80 OR BASICALLY WHAT EVER TEMP AROUND A/C COMPONENTS. AS FAR AS MOISTURE CONCERNS WELL YOU SHOULD TRY AND CAP OFF EVERYTHING TO PREVENT RUST CONTAMINATION AND WHEN GOING BACK TOGETHER ESSENTIAL TO EVACUATE SYSTEM TO GET OUT AIR. BY THE WAY R12 IS ABOUT 30-40$ A LB AND YOUR TRUCK TAKES CLOSE TO 2 LBS NOW THATS COST RETAIL TO JOE SOMEBODY AROUND 70$ A LB JUST KEEP IN MIND.

Tx Firefighter · 10-23-2003, 08:21 PM

You can't get liquid refrigerant on you. At atmospheric pressure, freon is a gas. So, as soon as the freon escapes the system, it instantly turns to vapor.

valley 67 · 10-24-2003, 10:29 AM

IN A WAY YOUR RIGHT YES REFRIGERANT DOES START TO VAPORIZE AT ATMOPHERIC PRESSURE BUT YOU STILL CAN GET LIQUID WOULDNT BE VERY MUCH BUT YOU COULD SEE DRIPPING TRUST ME. ALSO DONT TRY HEATING UP WITH FLAME TURNS TO PHOSGENE GAS RELLY BAD STUFF IT IS A POISONIOUS GAS OUTSIDE IN VENTELATED AREA YOU PROBABLLY WOULDNT EVEN KNOW UNLESS YOU GOT A WIFF OF IT AND YOU WOULDNT LIKE IT IT MORE OF A HAZARD IN ENCLOSED SPACES OR LARGE AMOUNTS OF REFRIGERANT IN NON VENTELATED SPACES.

Locutus · 10-24-2003, 05:28 PM

Breathing R-12 gas in small amounts is not harmful to your health. The propellant on most abuteral inhalors (asthma meds) is R-12. I was shocked to see that.

Eddie H. · 10-24-2003, 08:46 PM

To be safe and legal, I'd recommend taking it to a shop with proper refrigerant recovery equipment and having them drain it for you.
It shouldn't cost much for this service.

**truckster** · 10-24-2003, 09:29 PM

You have two schrader valves on your system. They look like tire valves. Take a small screwdriver and push one in. You'll know if the system is pressurized or not. If there's a lot of pressure, you should probably take it to an A/C shop to have them remove the R12. If there's not much, just open the valve and let the pressure out.

Safety note:
When the system is running, make sure you don't mess with the high-side valve. Since your belt isn't even connected, you don't need to worry about high side/low side.

sactoC10 · 10-24-2003, 10:36 PM

Whoa, lots of good info. My intention is to remove the lines for only a day (or the weekend) and re-attach everything. I will plug them for that time, but I will not leave anything open for any extended amount of time.

Thanks.

10-23-2003, 10:57 AM	#1
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	disconnecting A/C parts (how-to) ? Maybe I am imagining things, but isn't the freon supposed to be dangerous in A/C systems? This weekend I'd like to remove some of my A/C parts (pump, brackets) along with my alternator as I continue into deeper cleaning and painting of misc pieces. I have some concerns though about the A/C lines. What do I need to know about this? The A/C according to the PO has not worked for some time. Please advise! Thanks- __________________ 5/4 drop LWB wood bed - 15x8 front 235/60 - 15x10 rear 295/50 2003 FORD Escape 1998 Honda VTR1000

10-23-2003, 11:09 AM	#2
BadAssChevy502 Yeh It's Fast Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Zwijndrecht ,The Netherlands ,Europe Posts: 143	A/C Are you gonna re use the a/c system ,if so you should let the pressure be in it otherwise i guess your pump will get stuck after a while. and if you are not gonne use the a/c anymore,freon is not dangerous to your health or any as long as you remove it in a well ventilated area I hope this is correct otherwise the I will be corrected by the other board members Hope I was of any help to you,and good luck on the A/C and the Truck __________________ (I'm sorry if the spelling isn't correct,i'm trying the best I can ) 1972 C20 3/4 Pickup Fleetside 502ci Th400 Click here to view pictures of my truck 1971 C20 3/4 Pickup Fleetside 350ci 3speed manual gearbox "IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T TRY TO FIX IT" Zwijndrecht, The Netherlands Europe

10-23-2003, 12:43 PM	#3
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	interesting Well the PO removed the belt, but the pump still moves freely by hand. I do intend to fix it next year and use it eventually. So as long as I am outside I can disconnect the necessary hoses (and what not) in order to get beneath them and remove the pump. Great, thanks! __________________ 5/4 drop LWB wood bed - 15x8 front 235/60 - 15x10 rear 295/50 2003 FORD Escape 1998 Honda VTR1000

10-23-2003, 01:45 PM	#4
fatfords Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 350	More than likely if the AC hasn't worked for awhile, most of the freon has leaked out already. The freon contains CFC's which are supposedly linked to the hole in the ozone. In some places (CA is probably one) it is illegal to vent R-12 into the atmosphere. It is supposed to be recovered. Like BAC502 said, I don't think it is harmful if you breath it, but if you happen to crack a line open on accident, I would make sure it is in a well ventilated area and you just happen to have on eye protection. If you intend to re-use the components, I would plug the hoses/fittings with caps. Especially the POA valve as those things are expensive. You don't want to get any moisture in the system to cause corrosion/rust. Good Luck! __________________ '56 F-100 (w/all GM stuff) Lookin' for another parts chaser! '05 GMC crew cab

10-23-2003, 07:55 PM	#6
valley 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: calif. central valley Posts: 175	R12 REMOVING REFRIGERANT OR VENTING IS ONLY ILLEGAL IF YOUR CERTIFED OTHERWISE YOU WOULDNT KNOW IF YOU WERE CERTIFIED YOU COULD GET FINED BY EPA. JUST REMEMBER THAT LIQUID REFRIGERANT DOES GET COLD QUICKLY WHEN IT STARTS TO VAPORIZE IT GETS REALLY COLD ALSO PRESSURE FOR R12 IS PRETTY MUCH POUND OF PRESSURE TO AMBIENT DEGREES OUT SIDE EX. IF 80 OUTSIDE PRESSURE IN LINES AROUND 80 OR BASICALLY WHAT EVER TEMP AROUND A/C COMPONENTS. AS FAR AS MOISTURE CONCERNS WELL YOU SHOULD TRY AND CAP OFF EVERYTHING TO PREVENT RUST CONTAMINATION AND WHEN GOING BACK TOGETHER ESSENTIAL TO EVACUATE SYSTEM TO GET OUT AIR. BY THE WAY R12 IS ABOUT 30-40$ A LB AND YOUR TRUCK TAKES CLOSE TO 2 LBS NOW THATS COST RETAIL TO JOE SOMEBODY AROUND 70$ A LB JUST KEEP IN MIND. Last edited by valley 67; 10-24-2003 at 10:22 AM.

10-23-2003, 07:38 PM	#5
Luv68's Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Russellville, Tn and DeLand Fl. Posts: 533	Be very careful , if your not sure liquid refrigerant is nothing to play with. Refrigerant can be removed by a recovery machine. If you open the liquid line by mistake and get liquid refigerant on your skin it will burn you ( freezes the skin on contact ). Take it to a pro if you are not sure.

10-23-2003, 08:21 PM	#7
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	You can't get liquid refrigerant on you. At atmospheric pressure, freon is a gas. So, as soon as the freon escapes the system, it instantly turns to vapor. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-24-2003, 10:29 AM	#8
valley 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: calif. central valley Posts: 175	LIQUID REFRIGERANT IN A WAY YOUR RIGHT YES REFRIGERANT DOES START TO VAPORIZE AT ATMOPHERIC PRESSURE BUT YOU STILL CAN GET LIQUID WOULDNT BE VERY MUCH BUT YOU COULD SEE DRIPPING TRUST ME. ALSO DONT TRY HEATING UP WITH FLAME TURNS TO PHOSGENE GAS RELLY BAD STUFF IT IS A POISONIOUS GAS OUTSIDE IN VENTELATED AREA YOU PROBABLLY WOULDNT EVEN KNOW UNLESS YOU GOT A WIFF OF IT AND YOU WOULDNT LIKE IT IT MORE OF A HAZARD IN ENCLOSED SPACES OR LARGE AMOUNTS OF REFRIGERANT IN NON VENTELATED SPACES.

10-24-2003, 05:28 PM	#9
Locutus Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Santa Fe, Texas Posts: 250	Breathing R-12 gas in small amounts is not harmful to your health. The propellant on most abuteral inhalors (asthma meds) is R-12. I was shocked to see that.

10-24-2003, 08:46 PM	#10
Eddie H. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Paradise TX USA Posts: 1,200	To be safe and legal, I'd recommend taking it to a shop with proper refrigerant recovery equipment and having them drain it for you. It shouldn't cost much for this service. __________________ "Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution"

10-24-2003, 09:29 PM	#11
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,875	You have two schrader valves on your system. They look like tire valves. Take a small screwdriver and push one in. You'll know if the system is pressurized or not. If there's a lot of pressure, you should probably take it to an A/C shop to have them remove the R12. If there's not much, just open the valve and let the pressure out. Safety note: When the system is running, make sure you don't mess with the high-side valve. Since your belt isn't even connected, you don't need to worry about high side/low side. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

10-24-2003, 10:36 PM	#12
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	OK Whoa, lots of good info. My intention is to remove the lines for only a day (or the weekend) and re-attach everything. I will plug them for that time, but I will not leave anything open for any extended amount of time. Thanks. __________________ 5/4 drop LWB wood bed - 15x8 front 235/60 - 15x10 rear 295/50 2003 FORD Escape 1998 Honda VTR1000



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