How to evacuate A/C freon to change A/C compressor?

[ExtremeSi]

So my wife's 2004 Audi A4's air conditioning compressor seized up and snapped the serpentine belt. It happened on the highway so I had the car towed home. I can change it myself but I'm wondering if there's any way to evacuate the system of freon first? I know some shops can do it, but I would have to get the car towed there and back just to get it evacuated. Any way to do this myself at home?

Also after I replace the compressor (and the condenser since I heard it's a good idea to swap it out in case it is full of debris), where is a good place to get the A/C system recharged?

[spike98]

You need special equipment to evacuate it properly.

[Abeo]

Personally, I'd get a shop to do the work. The refrigerant may be full of debris, and the orifice tube or expansion valve might be clogged, along with debris throughout the system. Let it be on the shop to get it flushed and working right IMO.

And yes, you need a proper machine to evacuate the system... not really an at-home job to do it right.

[Darell_n]

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You need special equipment to evacuate it properly.

Just a vacuum pump and a set of gauges. I will do it for you if you bring it out to Cochrane.

[ShermanEF9]

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Personally, I'd get a shop to do the work. The refrigerant may be full of debris, and the orifice tube or expansion valve might be clogged, along with debris throughout the system. Let it be on the shop to get it flushed and working right IMO.

And yes, you need a proper machine to evacuate the system... not really an at-home job to do it right.

hehe... you said orifice.


also, agreed. get a shop to at least evacuate it, but it'll probably only cost a bit more to get the whole thing done

[ExtremeSi]

Well I guess I don't need to worry about evacuating it, I checked the high and low pressure lines last night and there's nothing left in it. It must have released when the compressor broke.

So once I replace the compressor does anyone have any suggestions on where to get the system refilled?

[Tik-Tok]

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Well I guess I don't need to worry about evacuating it, I checked the high and low pressure lines last night and there's nothing left in it. It must have released when the compressor broke.

So once I replace the compressor does anyone have any suggestions on where to get the system refilled?

Once it's replaced, you'll probably find there's a leak in the system and that's why it seized... no oil. I've used Auto Temp Air & Sound off Blackfoot before and they've been very decent to deal with (for A/C needs anyways)