evacuate A/C system

Status
Not open for further replies.
Donald

Donald

Joined
Mar 21, 2004
Messages
33,585
Location
Near the beach in Delaware
When a shop uses a fancy machine to evacuate the R134a before pulling a vacuum does that R134a go into a recovery tank and then never gets reused? (I mean reused at the local shop, I assume companies can take the R134a in the recovery tank and process that for reuse).
 
take it somewhere....if it hasn't had stop leak added, they'll take you charge for a minimal fee

when we auction off out-of-service vehicles, we suck out all of the refrigerant and re-use it
 
Last edited:
Our machines recycle it. They have filters that need to be changed every 150 lbs. I'm also required to have a refrigerant identifier to make sure that I'm only sucking r134a or r12 into my machines . That way there's no cross contamination. If you brought the car to me I would give you a reciept showing how much refrigerant I owe you.
 
Let's just say that somebody puts something other than R12 or R134 into an R12 or R134 system, and you suck it out. What is your procedure then?
 
I was at a place and the shop owner came back to the guy and said it was butane in the system and they refused to work on it. Years ago shady places were pulling out R12 and installing butane and it would work fine. Owner never knew until he had it serviced.
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
How does a shadetree mechanic evacuate an A/C system without dumping the R134a into the atmosphere?


It is illegal to vent refrigerant to the atmosphere. A shade tree mech would be best served by having it legally evacuated, then doing the work, and refilling, though if the shade tree mech can't charge by mass, and can't pull a 500 micron or lower vacuum, they shouldn't do the work.
 
The R134a or R12 isn't "spent" or "used up". It doesn't have a limited life. It works as well as virgin refrigerant.

You can buy a used recovery pump on EBay, and the local supply house has a recovery tank. When you get your license recovering refrigerant is about all they talk about.
 
Originally Posted By: Kruse
Let's just say that somebody puts something other than R12 or R134 into an R12 or R134 system, and you suck it out. What is your procedure then?
I can't touch it. If I sucked it out I'd be commiting a crime as it's illegal to mix refrigerants. Plus those illegal refrigerants are advertized as being environmenly Safe.so bring it to me empty.
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
I was at a place and the shop owner came back to the guy and said it was butane in the system and they refused to work on it. Years ago shady places were pulling out R12 and installing butane and it would work fine. Owner never knew until he had it serviced.


Butane and propane/butane mixes have been used successfully for a long time. Not that this is a good thing - Those are not considered ozone depleting gases, though. Quite a few R-12 substitutes are basically those gases. They are purported to function better in your A/C system than any of the other commercially available refrigerants. Take that statement at face value, but I do have direct knowledge of an acquaintance who charged his pre-1994 system with propane/butane. Head pressure is even lower than R-12 and output temperature is sub 40 degrees.

I personally do not believe these gases to be a hazard when used in your car, but there is a lot of fear spread by refrigerant manufacturers about it. R134a is relatively flammable, too, btw. I have no idea about the characteristics of the latest refrigerant that is about to be forced upon us.

I had Freeze-12 in my 89 Accord for a couple of years before I got rid of it. The output temp was 43 v. 40 with R-12. That sub is EPA approved.
 
Yes, I think several of the R-12 subs are better than R-12 or R134a, though Freeze-12 is a blend of R134a and R142.

The important things are adequate lubrication for the compressor and pressures that are similar to the design pressures.

Not hard to find good subs if you do a bit of research. R-12 is still viable, too. The cost has actually dropped due to low demand.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Donald
How does a shadetree mechanic evacuate an A/C system without dumping the R134a into the atmosphere?

It is illegal to vent refrigerant to the atmosphere.

That doesn't apply to DIY's, vent away.

Furthermore, wasn't the whole purpose of converting to R134a is because it was safe for the environment?
 
Originally Posted By: Rock_Hudstone
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Donald
How does a shadetree mechanic evacuate an A/C system without dumping the R134a into the atmosphere?

It is illegal to vent refrigerant to the atmosphere.

That doesn't apply to DIY's, vent away.

Furthermore, wasn't the whole purpose of converting to R134a is because it was safe for the environment?


They would have to prove you intentionally vented it. Vs, say a slow leak.

I find the whole thing comical as you can't vent R134a but we sell those air duster cans that are R134a. Hmm, wonder who wrote those regulations.
 
Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Donald
How does a shadetree mechanic evacuate an A/C system without dumping the R134a into the atmosphere

It is illegal to vent refrigerant to the atmosphere.
I find the whole thing comical as you can't vent R134a but we sell those air duster cans that are R134a. Hmm, wonder who wrote those regulations.

Its comical alright, unfortunately the joke is on us.
 
it sounded like you had a little charge in your system....why are you worried about sucking it out and pulling a vacuum.....why don't you add a bit to bring up the head pressure and enjoy the new cooling. Worry about evacuating the system when you have to replace hard parts and empty the entire system.

You said it was cooling a bit on the road test, finish the job by charging it complely. It's 12 years old.....it may need more parts sooner than later anyway....wait for it.
 
Last edited:
In these type of threads, people always rush to say "IT'S ILLEGAL!"

I'd like to know if anyone at home has ever been issued a citation for doing such a thing.

I've never been able to find such an occurrence. I've also never seen any regulation that states a person at home can't do such a thing.

I'm not saying one should do it. I'd just like to know how "illegal" it really is.
 
Originally Posted By: MarkM66
In these type of threads, people always rush to say "IT'S ILLEGAL!"

I'd like to know if anyone at home has ever been issued a citation for doing such a thing.

I've never been able to find such an occurrence. I've also never seen any regulation that states a person at home can't do such a thing.

I'm not saying one should do it. I'd just like to know how "illegal" it really is.


Just because it's extremely easy to get away with it doesn't mean it's not illegal. Dumping used motor oil down my toilet is just as easy to get away with; it doesn't mean it's ok to do or legal.
 
Originally Posted By: exranger06
Originally Posted By: MarkM66
In these type of threads, people always rush to say "IT'S ILLEGAL!"

I'd like to know if anyone at home has ever been issued a citation for doing such a thing.

I've never been able to find such an occurrence. I've also never seen any regulation that states a person at home can't do such a thing.

I'm not saying one should do it. I'd just like to know how "illegal" it really is.


Just because it's extremely easy to get away with it doesn't mean it's not illegal. Dumping used motor oil down my toilet is just as easy to get away with; it doesn't mean it's ok to do or legal.


My post was to see if anyone knew if it truly was illegal. Not ethical okay.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
2008 Nissan Sentra Air Conditioner Problems
Replies
6
Views
331
joshuawes1984
J
AC Compressor & Desiccant pack on Sienna
2
Replies
23
Views
943
Nukeman7
T
Cleaner for coolant system
Replies
9
Views
409
joshuawes1984
I
A/C goes warm after engaging recirculate.
Replies
18
Views
916
i6pwr
H
AC Leak Differential Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
Replies
16
Views
219
14Accent
Back
Top Bottom