thummyuken

Hey all,
got an s5, want to remove A/C components, but still keep heater for foggy window days. I was searching for a thread that would guide me through this, but no luck. Can someone walk me through it. I want to free up some space around engine, plus I don't remember ever using the A/C since I've owned the car. I wanted to remove the power antennae as well, but that shouldn't be to hard, my car is semi-gutted at the moment.

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

download a factory service manual. i think it will help you much better.

thummyuken

I got one, but I'm trying to do it off of someones experience, so I don't make any mistakes while doing so. If I can avoid breaking anything, it would be more helpful. I just want to completely eliminate A/C from my rex. I'm actually trying to get it ready for paint, but I'm still far from. I was hoping to get a 4 point roll cage in there, but I'm not sure how to go about doing it ( which shop and who can do it right).

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

its easy, you just take the ac out, heater is seperate

thummyuken

j9fd3s:

let's say I do just rip it out, are there any blocking plates necessary to make it final?

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

from what i remember, no. just remove the compressor and condenser and all the associated lines that lead to the firewall. that was all i did and i never had a problem.

ultimatejay

iTrader: (1)

It's very easy. First evacuate freon. And don't just release it into the atmosphere please. Remove A/C belt. Remove a/c compressor, lines, reciever dryer and condensor. The only thing you will need to plug off are the two lines that go to your evaporator. Just plug those two lines with rubber plugs. All done.

thummyuken

is there some type of container to evacuate the freon? I know the dealership has something to use, but if I can avoid that it would be best. And do I need to keep the evaporator, if so, I'll plug up, if not, I would like to remove.


p.s. Thanks for the advice, it means a lot to me!

ultimatejay

iTrader: (1)

Yes, you need a special machine to remove the freon. You can take your car to any auto shop and have them evacuate your freon for you. They probably won't charge much if anything at all because after all they get the old freon and it is reusable.

The evaporator is located in your heater box next to your heater core. Removing it is a bitch and requires removing the dash to get too. It only weighs a couple of pounds so you aren't gaining anything by removing it. Just leave it in and plug the ends off. Who know's, you might change your mind when your sweating your *** off in the summertime.

thummyuken

My dash is already out at the moment, so I guess I could remove it now. But I don't think it's ready to drive anywhere. Is there any other alternative to evacuating the freon, other than into the atmosphere. Although, I have heard some home mechanics not givin a **** and freeing it into the air, but I don't really want to do that. Is there a way to see if there's even any freon left?

clint999

It's very easy. First evacuate freon. And don't just release it into the atmosphere please. Remove A/C belt. Remove a/c compressor, lines, reciever dryer and condensor. The only thing you will need to plug off are the two lines that go to your evaporator. Just plug those two lines with rubber plugs. All done.

incubuseva

iTrader: (13)

Dude, freon hasn't been used for years. There's something else in AC systems that's not harmful to the atmosphere. Search for it.


There's really nothing to removing the AC system. You just need a big enough box wrench to get the lines off. I used a 1" I think. I had to remove my radiator to get to the AC condenser. To get the compressor I had to go underneath the car for a bit, but you can get it from the top after taking out your battery. That's really all there is too it too.

solareon

iTrader: (1)

Maybe you should check your facts before you go spouting off bs . All the 2nd gens used a system based on R-12 aka Freon. Some may have been converted to R-134A but even then it's still not okay to release into the atmosphere. It may not kill ozone but it is a contributor to global warming.

incubuseva

iTrader: (13)

So does driving a 7 :nana:


Got a source for that info?

martinhickey

iTrader: (3)

My mechanic sucked out the freon in my fb for $20. It will still burp a little "pssthhtsss" when you remove the main line, but it's just a tiny bit of pressure being released, no freon, and no problem.

thummyuken

I haven't even tried yet, been slackin. It looks pretty easy though, and I honestly don't think there's any freon left in my car anyways, so I'll probably start yankin stuff out tomorrow. thanks for all the feedback y'all.

88verttop

be careful crack the lines first you could hurt your self if there is a charge if you dont have any ac tools you can take something and push on the low side where you add freon and if you can push it down and nothing comes out its empty if not you can call an airconditiong place and they will come and remove it for you for a small fee 20 or 30 dollars is my guess

fcs3l0ve

I started to take the A/C out in my FC. It's easy but taking out the compressor and condenser is the hardest part. If you have power steering you need to take the pump off to take the compressor out and you need to take the radiator out to get to the condenser. Everything other than that is really easy.

rotarygod

iTrader: (1)

Just blowing air on a window to defog it isn't the most effective way to do it. Sure it can be done but the best way to do it is with conditioned air which means the a/c system needs to stay. I've never really understood why people go to so much trouble to remove the a/c from these cars in the name of weight savings only to still be slow in the end. It baffles me but hey it's not my car. Mine has a/c/ p/s, etc and will easily still keep up. There are better ways to get more performance and let's face it, unless your car never drives on the street, you don't have a race car so don't treat it like one.

thummyuken

fcs3l0ve-Is it possible to keep the compressor on since it has a belt on it. I'm still keeping the p/s. I got most of the a/c lines out, just the condensor and compressor I'm concerned about now. I only plan to drive this car in the summer, but w/o A/C, never used it. Windows and sunroof work just fine for me when it comes to hot weather.

rotarygod-I understand where you're coming from, why remove something when you don't have to. But I want my car to be strictly motor, tranny, chassis, and suspension. I even took all the stereo equipment out, speaker, wires, even the antennae. That's how much the extras on my car bother me. But thanks for the opinion. I've already made up my mind though.

incubuseva

iTrader: (13)

how did you take the antenna out? I have both ends out but the middle is stuck. So now it's just kinda hanging out in my car.

fcs3l0ve

Yeah well to rotarygod, my a/c didn't work anyway and I wanted to free up space in the engine bay for when I work on it.... so it was never really about the performance part and I have power steering too. They run from 2 different belts. : ) and to thummyuken the same goes for me. Windows and sunroof work for me too.

thummyuken

incubuseva-you just have to unplug it, remove the two bolts holding it in, and unscrew the top piece to the antennae. After that you kind of guide it out from inside. Hope this helps.

incubuseva

iTrader: (13)

Ohh I meant the cable antenna going from the stereo to the power antenna. That thing is a bit more difficult...

thummyuken

I haven't taken that part out either. If i remember correctly, it runs through some of the chassis behind the heater blower, and the rest of the a/c heater components. It's in there pretty tight, but I'll let you know how it goes when I do take it out. Have no suggestions at the moment. Let me know if you found an easier way of removing it.