I will be replacing my compressor soon but i need to discharge my a/c b4 opening the system. Must i go to a shop and pay them for discharge or is this something a DIY can do? How much does shop usually charge for discharge?

 

Find a big plastic bag and let the gas into the bag. Seriously, R134a is not ozone depleting but is a green house gas like CO2. It contributes to global warming.

 

well, i know that the dealer charges 132.00 for the complete service and if you don't drain it right or overfill it it can damage or blow the compressor. for the trouble, i would go to a shop, i think jiffy lube does it for 115.00 and they usually have a special running in the summer. look online and see what you can find, DO NOT go to firestone, i have heard horror stories about their techs.

 

so, where's he supposed to take the plastic bag??? dumb idea to save a dollar or 2. i don't don't work for green peace but i'd say no to that .......

 

Yes, just pay the shop to take out the gas. Go home and replace the compressor, dryer, expansion valve etc. Then go back to the shop, evac and put in new gas and oil.

This global warming is serious. I left home on Sunday and had a flight everyday until today. So far only the flight today was on time. Had weather delays 3 of the 5 days plus one mechanical delay.

 

Press on one of the valve of the low side of the system. If there exist pressure then yes you should discharge it at a shop. If there is no pressure then just take it apart.

 

I would not go to JL too. They are no better...

 

Some shops, if you're just doing a recover and letting them keep the refrigerant, will do it for free. Especially so with R-12, but I've heard of it happening with R-134a as well.

 

never heard of this, please tell what shops will do ANYTHING for free.

 

R12 is expensive enough to the point that some shops will do the recover for free if they get to keep the refrigerant. I've seen two shops that have done that, and another that did it with R134a. It's not like they're not getting anything out of it.

 

There is really no shortage of R12 in California. It is still produced in Mexico and most Hispanic owned shops have R12. I filled my R12 '91 Volvo last year.

 

Yeah, there's a couple cans in my garage and I kno a guy who's got a nice big tank still (he does commercial A/C I think).

Jae