I asked the forum brain trust about this while I had access to the front condensor and whether I should pull that off. The thought process was no because 1. It's weight out front, and 2. Makes the reversibility a lot more problematic.

Just a thought...

Also once I get this damn wire off, I can pull mine out and would say it was a 5 minute job altogether.

 

Yeah just pull from the compressor side and the wire comes out. Like pulling a tooth. Need to figure out where I will secure my tubes, but for the time being, engine space has a big fat tooth gap!

Also that compressor weighs a good amount. Wish I had a scale, but guessing 20lbs.

 

Yeah, that compressor is pretty heavy. I had to move mine quite a few times to work on the fan and alternator.

 

Anyone want to sell me their good compressor? Mine is very chatty!

 

I may sell mine once I get around to removing it.

 

After I removed my system I capped everything and put the factory RS firewall cap in place. I can't recall the part number but it's cheap.

 

Curious to see how people are dealing with the hoses to make this "operation" look nice and clean.

 

You take the hoses off, and cap the lines in the left wheel well. I made a rubber gasket to plug the hole left after the hoses were removed.

 

Do you have a c2 or c4.

Seems any weight lose on a c4 would be a good thing?

 

DD I did a DIY on the removal of the bracket ... but you can buy the rs one if you dont want to grind.
Came out neat ... have a look - it may help

 

I've checked that out before. Great write up. Eventually I want to go that route.

For now, I'm just gonna yank everything out that I can. Wish I would have decided early when I had my bumper off to install some Cult Werks ducts.

Think I can just yank it out threw the wheel well on the left side, or does the bumper need to go?

 

I'm just quoting Steen here .. the guy usually has something helpful to add

https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...con-pipes.html

and I had this saved:



Take the car to a garage to get the A/C system sucked dry of any gas.

Jack car at front left side and remove road wheel. Put axle stand in place.
Remove inner wing plastic mud guard.
Remove front left plastic under cover.
Remove windscreen washer reservoir and cut the two pipes joining the pumps on the bottle. This allows you to release the pipe which feeds through the fan surround nearest the bumper.
Remove bar between wing and inner wing to improve access.
Apply plenty of WD-40 to the bolt threads holding the fan to the condensor body. Remove bolts. Disconnect motor plug. Remove fan by pulling down.
Remove two bolts holding condensor housing to inner wing nearesr wheel. Then one nearer the front bumper underneath, and a small one from a support bar.
Disconnect resistor wire plug.
Unscrew pipe connectors.
Pull off and down the condensor unit.

On a bench inspect the condensor.
To remove the condensor, remove 3 screws and pull it out upwards.

Things that can go wrong:

Bolts holding the fan to the condensor housing can snap. This means sawing off the stub and drilling a hole etc.

Screws holding condensor in housing may be rusted so need drilling out.

The rubber "shockers" between the condensor housing and the triangular bottom support plate can shear needing subsequent replacement

You can easily break the washer pump ends on the reservoir when trying to remove the pipes.

Make sure you get the condensor pressure tested. They are robust and made of copper pipe. I think they are better quality than the new replacement aluminium ones. A leak may come from the seals where the pipes join the unit.

When refitting or fitting a new condensor, be VERY careful when screwing on the pipe connectors from the car. These are brass (I think) and the condensor is aluminium which will strip very easily. If you ruin the threads on the new condensor you might be faced with fitting yet another unit!

Its a bit of a pain but it is straight forward to replace if you go about it methodically. Make sure you print off a copy of the parts diagram to remember where everything fits - and to replace the seals where the pipes fit onto the unit.

No you don't take the headlamp out.

Regards.

 

Great info, thank you. I'll have to go get the system pumped before I take on this project.

Also want to a plate to cover the A/C buttons the CCU I think.

So bumper can stay on it sounds.

 

fan will still work so ccu can remain .. just wont have aircon so not sure covering the ccu controls makes sense ... but a simple vinyl sticker over the aircon button might work for 'blanking' that

 

...if you use the car as a daily driver, you will miss the AC when you have to defog the front windshield during a rain on a muggy day.