Air Conditioning Q

[wrecked2001]

Has anybody drained there own A/C system? I know all the legalities, but has anybody done it?

[Zim]

cant say i have

[Dom]

I know half the time they don't cool as well as they did.

[rowehoe]

i have but im a certifate mechanic

[xz06]

Dosen't sound like a good plan,unless your a certified HVAC tech. and use the proper equipment to recover the freon ,whether it's R134A or R12(1993 and before)

[meteorachick]

i have but it was on my firebird at my dad's shop, and hes certified to do it (we had to replace the entire system since it wasn't working)

[Kryptonite]

i know im alittle late but i did my 2 weeks ago. we just let the freon go.

[rocknbronco]

Yeah we do air conditioners at my shop-never just let it out

[bbunt302]

I hate to tell you guys this... but I can't tell you how many "certified shops" I've seen just let that crap out into the air.

I had my A/C charged at the local dealership when I was back home. I know a guy that works there pretty well. He told me that they do drain all of their's into the container... but no one ever comes around to pick it up to dispose of it properly. So they do one of two things: either "recycle" it and just put it in someone else's car or let the shit out.

[xz06]

One thing I will add to your obvservation about recycling.When you become certified to work with CFC's,there is a protocol that is followed...
Remove,Recycle,Replace.If the refrigerant is removed properly it is put into a recycling machine and the moisture in it is removed and it also has any debries removed.It is ready to put back in your car or someone elses,after the repair has been made.That is the proper method for a certified CFC Tech.to follow.All of the refrigerent is accounted for in logs,where it came from and where it went to.Those logs can be audited,so each time a HVAC system is recharged or has freon removed it gets recorded.A tag is also signed by the Tech and put in the engine bay.As far as blowing the refrigerent out into the atmosphere,that is a waste of expensive freon,and the CFC's(R12) help to eat away at the atmosphere.I expect that R134A isn't as dangerous ,but it is still pricey(to waste.)