Letting refrigerant out of car AC seems like a seamless and no-brainer task, but it is far from the truth.
Numerous factors coax the process, and just a slight misstep might cost tons of expenditures for reparations.
Today, we aim to alleviate such headaches by offering you a clear guideline on how to drain R134a from car.
What Is R134a?
R-134a (also termed HFC-134a) is a combustible fluorocarbon gas supplied to industrial and commercial usages. It is designed as a permanent substitute for R-12 CFC refrigerant.
Indeed, a typical 134a alternative functions comparably to R-12 – while also receiving an ASHRAE certification for guaranteed safety.
Due to the palpable absence of chlorine, this liquid refrigerant is far less hazardous than its predecessors.
There are significant drawbacks, however. R134a is hardly a friendly refrigerant in terms of environmental impacts.
The freon suffers from a global-warming potential (GWP) of 1430, which means it exudes more gas into the ozone layer than CO2 does in at least one hundred years.
As a result, the Environmental Agency (EPA) has deemed this substance “Unfit” for common usage in certain automotive, retail, and industrial settings.
Then what are some of its most common applications? In essence, people install 134a for:
- High-pressure line air conditioning in housing developments
- Low-pressure line air conditioning for vehicles
- Moderate industrial uses (ex: vortex coolers)
How To Drain R134a From Car?
How to remove R134a from AC system? Overall, there are three steps you should bear in mind.
- Step 1. Attach the gauge hoses and locate your low-pressure service port
- Step 2. Activate the AC recovery machine
- Step 3: Unhook the recovery machine
The next sections will unveil each stage to empty 134a from car in more detail.
Step 1. Attach the Gauge Hoses and Locate Your Low Pressure Service Port
With appropriate safety precautions in mind, position your recovery equipment in front of the vehicle. Plug the gauge hose into your service ports inserted within the vehicle’s air conditioning.
Once done, the next stage is to locate the low-pressure service outlet in the vehicle. All you need to do is follow the hose and line assembly from the rear of the air conditioner – and stop when it reaches the cylinders.
You will see the tube on the rear of your A/C compressor. The service outlet will hover somewhere at the pressure line.
There are two service lines: a low-pressure line and a high-pressure counterpart. The latter is a more compact cord.
One thing to note, though: not every low-pressure port is arranged on the same row.
Its position varies across vehicles; indeed, tons of automobiles incorporate the low-pressure port right on the A/C compressor instead. Hence, be flexible and examine your car carefully.
Step 2. Activate The AC Recovery Machine
Now, plug the AC recovery machine into the service ports of your air conditioner. Its operation is fairly straightforward: the system will extract all the excess refrigerant from your vehicle’s AC.
Once you connect the gauge valves of the recovery machine to your pressure air systems, a vacuum is created. It will activate the Auto Drain Mode and suck all freon out of the dust caps.
All that remains is to operate the recovery machine, which will kill off the freon vapours and non-condensable hydrocarbons from your cars.
Some of the cooling chemicals will be in a molten state, but that is alright; after all, the recovery machine will transform them to vapour.
Just give its engine a few minutes to adjust to the operating pressure valve, and all substances will convert themselves in a blink.
At this point, the R-134a is no longer subjected to internal pressure. Once the air filter body is empty, it triggers a manual off switch, causing the recovery system to shut down immediately.
Whenever the ambient temperature rises, the compressor clutch on your gas recovery machine will spring up to activation right away and start drawing a vacuum, replicating the steps above.
Step 3. Unhook The Recovery Machine
Disconnecting all recovery machines from the service port is our last step.
Before unplugging its mechanism, it is a must to shut the server hose valves first.
Otherwise, the increased air temperature will wreck your A/C compressor; and once this critical feature no longer functions properly, it will stop blowing cold air into your engine. Such damage is way too tremendous, so do not forget to exercise utmost caution!
In the case of older recovery devices – which can only drain R-12 freon – you might need to close the pressure switch. Fortunately, for R-134a, there is a rapid detachment tube for refrigerant loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
The primary issue of how to drain car AC refrigerant has been tackled. Now, let’s move on to other common inquiries.
1. How Many R134a Cans Does A Vehicle Accommodate?
In most cases, a can of R-134a contains around 12 ounces. Most AC systems only accommodate 14 to 28 ounces (equaling 1 to 3 cans).
Hence, do not insert an excessive amount into your vehicle, especially if the unit system is low.
2. How Long Will It Take for The R134a in An AC to Settle?
Should no technological issues persist with your AC, it will take 15 to 30 minutes for the freon to disperse. Nevertheless, experts suggest you wait as long as possible – just in case.
We cannot stress enough that you should ensure the AC is in its top-notch condition before inserting any refrigerant.
If you detect any unpleasant smell (such as pee) or observe a rough idle during its operation, fix those problems immediately.
3. What Is The Cost of R134a Extraction?
It is feasible to evacuate R134a at home with our guidelines above – given that the car still operates fairly well. But if it undergoes severe damage, professional help is a must.
Depending on proper tools requirements, timing, and disposal constraints, the expenditures might span from $100 to $300.
Conclusion
This article has illustrated how to drain R134a from car.
Though intricate attention to small details is required, the overall process will be pretty straightforward – as long as you do not steer away from our instruction.
For optimal efficacy, check the AC conditions to confirm no functional glitches! Write to us if there are still lingering inquiries on how to remove R134a from car.
We are more than delighted to help you tackle all possible issues.