Disposal of old refrigerant

Unread post by **Paul-R** » 13 Jul 2009, 10:50

Just bought a non-starting C5 with a view to breaking for spares.

Is there any way the gifted amateur (ahem) can drain the refrigerant from the A/C or is it a case of sod the ozone layer?

vanny · Unread post by **vanny** » 13 Jul 2009, 22:28

A C5 will have R134a refridgerant running through its veins, it is not an ozone depetant! It does however add to the global warming effect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane

A mobile AC recharge man would probably do it for cash, its not really possible to do by DIY, you need to draw the system down to a vacuum and store the old refridgerant, not to mention seperating the PAG oil.

R134-a will displace air/oxygen as it is dencer than air, and thus kill you by suffocation if your in a small low space.

Its certainly not a good idea to simply crack it in an enclosed area such as a garage.

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 13 Jul 2009, 22:53

Not to mention the risk of frostbite if you get caught in the escaping gas.