PhilW

Last summer I purchased a 93 RSA for DE events. The air conditioning has a leak. Since I don't use A/C at the track I don't see the need in repairing the A/C. Will I futher damage the A/C system if I leave it "uncharged" for 5-10 years?

Thanks

Phil W.

Jeff Curtis

Phil, I don't forsee any issues with leaving the system uncharged...except for the fact that the receiver/dryer may be "shot" by the time you decide to fix it.

Your leak may be your evaporator coils...see the "AC Q's" post that was started today, along with yours.

Your receiver/dryer may be okay, provided you do not "open" the system to the environment...as I have. I removed my compressor and tied plastic around the open compressor lines in the engine bay. This was a feeble attempt in sealing them off...as that should prevent the dessicant in the receiver/dryer from being oversaturated...but I'm sure my "sealing" job won't suffice.

SO, when I do decided to take the fuel tank, fuse box and part of the dash apart to change out the evaporator coils...I'm sure I'll renew the receiver/dryer unit as well.

Adrian

Dear Phil,
Yes this will cost a lot of money in the end. Corrosion will occur within all components. Leaving the system empty means you no longer have the refrigerant oil inside working as a lubricant or corrosion prevention item. Now you may be lucky and get away with it but this will be a time factor. Once you get water inside the system it does not take long to go. What I recommend you do is remove as much as you can and inhibit what remains. In 10 years the condenser, evaporator, compressor, receiver dryer will be scrap. The hoses will be gone as well. However everyone please remember that synthetic rubber hoses only have an average life of 10 to 20 years anyway.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

PS: If you have an aircon leak you have it open to the environment.

PhilW

Adrian, I would like to clarify your note before I take action. Are you saying that even if I remove the major A/C components and attempt to seal the remaining system that the parts I remove will still turn to scrap? If so then I think I'll get it fixed now even though I won't use more than five days a year. If not then is it as simple as removing parts or does the car need to be tricked into thinking nothing is missing? How much do these parts weigh? This could require adding ballest to make minimum weight - for the car not me, I have plenty of ballast <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

Thanks in advance <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Phil W.

Adrian

Dear Phil,
If you inhibit and seal the removed components they should survive. If you just store them they will turn to scrap. Mind you to be quite honest I would have them overhauled anyway. I would probably recommend you chuck out the compressor and replace it with a more modern one. The receiver dryer has to go into the bin. A leak check of the evaporator and condenser would also be in order before you inhibit them and put into storage.
The total system including condenser and fan weights in at about 20kgs. If you remove the condenser and fan assembly you will need to rebalance the front because the oil cooler is on the other side. Sometimes you can just tweek the suspension a bit to rebalance. I do recommend you remove the evaporator from behind the fuel tank as well. Remove the hoses and seal the rest. Believe me the hoses will not survive.
Do not forget to inhibit and seal the remaining parts of the system.
This is a job I have to get around to one day.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

warmfuzzies

Most commercial systems that my company imports from the USA come filled with Nitrogen as an aid against internal decomposition, maybe this is worth a try?