Leaving AC compressor while removing condensors / evaps

[TheHubbardBus]

I don't know much anything about AC yet. We've got two underskirt condenser assemblies (I think that's what they're called), and two in-cabin evaporator/blower assemblies (I think that's what they're called).

Our future plans are to keep all AC functionality. The underskirt units will remain where they are. The interior units may or may not be relocated, but we'll keep both as well.

In the meantime, however, the underskirt units are getting in the way of floor prep, and the interior units are in the way of removing/replacing the ceiling.

What I want to do is temporarily remove all the aforementioned assemblies, but just leave the engine-driven compressor in place as is, and still be able to run the engine / drive the bus.

Are there any problems with this?

[PNW_Steve]

You will want to have an a/c guy come out and evacuate the system and cap the lines.

Christopher is likely to drop in here. He is our resident a/c guru.

[cadillackid]

yeppers the compressor can stay and be just fine... unplug the wire so youy dont accidentilly turn it on.. with the lines disconnected, the outer pulley still spins just like it would any time your A/C is turned off.. the compressor outer bearing is self lubricated..



evacuate down the system... theres a lot of pressure and potential danger in that system..



tape over your compressor ports and any open hose ports... I use blue painters tape with a tie-wrap.. dont use duct-tape even though it sticks to everything as you dont want tape residue on the fittings..

if you tilt those units removing or re installing them.. pay attention to oil spills.. you need to replace the same amount of oil that gets lost.. or closely so.. losing a few drops here or there is OK.. but sometimes the coils have sizable amounts of oil in them.. that oil lubricates the seals and the compressor.. too much oil and it wont cool right.. not enough and it breaks things.. its not crazy critical so a litle loss wont hurt..



pay attention and mark your wiring, and whast hose is plugged into what.. in and out does matter on all A/C components..

[TheHubbardBus]

Sweet. Thanks so much gents. The info is very much appreciated

[Dustynyc]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

yeppers the compressor can stay and be just fine... unplug the wire so youy dont accidentilly turn it on.. with the lines disconnected, the outer pulley still spins just like it would any time your A/C is turned off.. the compressor outer bearing is self lubricated..



evacuate down the system... theres a lot of pressure and potential danger in that system..



tape over your compressor ports and any open hose ports... I use blue painters tape with a tie-wrap.. dont use duct-tape even though it sticks to everything as you dont want tape residue on the fittings..

if you tilt those units removing or re installing them.. pay attention to oil spills.. you need to replace the same amount of oil that gets lost.. or closely so.. losing a few drops here or there is OK.. but sometimes the coils have sizable amounts of oil in them.. that oil lubricates the seals and the compressor.. too much oil and it wont cool right.. not enough and it breaks things.. its not crazy critical so a litle loss wont hurt..



pay attention and mark your wiring, and whast hose is plugged into what.. in and out does matter on all A/C components..

Yes. Thank you!

[alpine44]

Christopher covered all the important disassembly steps. Let me just reiterate that the compressor clutch needs to be unplugged electrically unless you want to buy a new compressor.

Have a shop evacuate the system. They may credit the recovered amount of refrigerant towards the fill after reassembly.

When you get ready to put things back together you need to order a new receiver/drier. That is the upright, round canister somewhere between the condenser and evaporator(s). Install the new one with fresh desiccant just before vacuuming down the system.

[stamp11127]

Why unplug the compressor? The low pressure switch should open once the system has been evacuated and keep the clutch from operating.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by stamp11127

Why unplug the compressor? The low pressure switch should open once the system has been evacuated and keep the clutch from operating.

ha! it should.. but ive seen the LP switches bypassed orthe wires pinched in a seam etc... I just always tell people to unplug it.. also good practive for a system that gets charged with Nitrogen as a leak test down the line...

[stamp11127]

Another tip we give the students during our ac course is to change out the service ports on older systems as a preventative measure. Considering the amount of refrigerant in these systems it is cheap insurance against the old ports leaking.