How to Release Refrigerant from a Car Air Conditioner?
3 Answers
Close the manual high and low pressure valves on the manifold gauge and place the free end of the middle hose on a clean cloth. Slowly open the manual high pressure valve to allow the refrigerant to discharge from the middle cloth. Do not open the valve too much. When the pressure gauge reading drops below 0.35Mpa, gradually open the manual low pressure valve to allow the refrigerant to flow out from both the high and low sides. Observe the pressure gauge readings. As the pressure decreases, gradually open the manual high and low pressure valves until the low pressure gauge reading reaches zero.
I've done the job of evacuating car air conditioning refrigerant many times, usually as a necessary step when repairing the system or replacing parts. The specific operation requires professional recovery equipment, such as the common R134a refrigerant recovery machine. The steps are: first turn off the vehicle, wear gloves and goggles to prevent accidental splashing, then connect the high and low pressure port pipes to the recovery machine and start it to automatically extract and store the refrigerant. Never release it into the atmosphere casually because it damages the ozone layer and is toxic. If you don't have the tools, it's recommended to go directly to a professional repair shop where they can handle it safely and ensure compliant recycling. The whole process takes about half an hour and involves checking the pressure to avoid system damage. Before evacuating the refrigerant, it's best to check if the AC has any leaks using a soapy water test, otherwise you'll waste the refrigerant and have to replenish with new refrigerant, increasing costs. Afterwards, record the operation details for future reference. In short, never try to release it yourself with a wrench as it risks high pressure and may violate environmental regulations.
I think the air conditioning refrigerant cannot be released casually; a recovery device must be used. Be careful when operating. Last time, my car's AC was broken and leaking, so I had to take action. First, I used a pressure gauge to check and confirm that the system pressure wasn't too high to avoid a burst. Then, I connected the recovery machine's hoses to the high and low-pressure valve ports, turned on the machine, and let it cycle to extract the refrigerant, storing it in a sealed tank. The entire process must be well-ventilated to prevent poisoning. The most crucial point is not to release it into the atmosphere, as that accelerates global warming. Current regulations require recycling and reuse. If you don't have the tools, I strongly recommend leaving it to a 4S shop—they have the professional qualifications to handle it more safely and environmentally. It might cost some money to release it once, but it avoids personal mistakes, such as connecting the wrong interface, which could damage the system or cause injuries, leading to more harm than good. Remember, protecting the environment is every car owner's responsibility. When repairing the AC, prioritize refrigerant recovery—don't cut corners by directly releasing the gas.
