A/C compressor

[CurtisP87]

I want to build an on-board air system in my 87 BII, but to begin i need to change out my A/C compressor since the previous owner told me when i bought it that the compressor hasnt worked in years (we live in oregon, AC isnt really a priority). So I went to my haynes manual to see what it would entail to swap it out, and it says I need to have my AC system depressurized by a dealer or repair shop before I can safely tamper with anything. Ive never worked on an AC system before, and Im definitely not trying to have some pressurized vacuum hose nail me in the face....So my question , then, is if the AC hasnt been used in god knows how long, is it even going to be under pressure...? And if so, is there a way I can depressurize my system myself?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[Shran]

Welp....... to depressurize (legally!) you need to have the freon vacuumed out by a shop. This ensures that the environment isn't damaged.

However, you can also just let it out of the schrader valve near the compressor... or cut the line... I have "seen" people do both, works fine, just do it outside where there is ventilation and DO NOT SMOKE OR HAVE OPEN FLAMES AROUND THE FREON! R12 is quite deadly when burned.

I would just have it vacuumed out, personally, assuming there is any left. To check, just push the schrader valve a little and see if anything comes out...should give you some indication.

 

[CurtisP87]

I traced one of the lines going into the compressor back towards the radiator, and found a schrader valve, I assume thats the one youre talking about. I pressed it, and nothing comes out. Would that mean its safe to dismantle...?

 

[Shran]

Most likely, yes... seals probably dried up and let everything out years ago. Crack one of the fittings open and see what happens.