How do I release the a/c pressure hose to remove the a/c unit?

[bigdog76]

I am in the process of trying to clean the condenserHow do i release the pressure on the a/c lines at the motor.

I started to unscrew and notice all the yellow colored stuff squirting out?

I tried to get at it with a toothbrush but it is way to dirty.

[bigdog76]

How stupid I feel now I see all the posts on cleaning the evaporator

Scratch the above post I will not be going that far.

Where can I buy some evaporator cleaner to get this cleaned up?

[audtatious]

Have you checked your local autoparts store? Probably the easiest place to find some.

[elwesso]

I just use a firm toothbrush and some water. Thats about the only way its gonna get done outside of tkaing it off.

[Q45tech]

Industrial AC' heating supply stores have special spray fin cleaner and assorted chemicals.

Consider that most homes have central ac with the exact same problems.

[elwesso]

does that stuff work well, like you spray the chemical on and the stuff like falls off when you rinse it off and stuff?

Seems like it takes a lot of harsh chemicals to do what a little physical persuasion does a better job at anyway...

[bigdog76]

Would a autozone or a Home Depot carry it?

I think I will clean it all up then

I just relized I was going to take it out.

I loosened the big nut on the inside where the motor was some R134 shot all out for like 2 seconds. That didnt screw anything up did it?

Also I just realized I forgot to put the cap back on the low pressure and drove off and lost it.

Will that make it leak out R134 from there with no cap??

[Q451990]

Would a autozone or a Home Depot carry it?

Home Depot carries it - think it's about $5/can. I used a can of it on the evap. coils in a condo I flipped, and it works OK. Smelled like a very strong version of foaming glass cleaner.

Also I just realized I forgot to put the cap back on the low pressure and drove off and lost it.

Yes. You need to find a new cap... probably available at Autozone. Those valves are about 99% effective, but without the cap you can loose a good bit of refrigerant over time.

Good luck!

Heath

[bigdog76]

I found the capBut I leak out about 2 second of frigerant when I opened the nit will cause problems?

I dont think I lost much?

[bigdog76]

I will head over the the Home Depot tomorrow and pick up some of the cleaner.

I did my best vacuuming and all and brushed it out. It is so tight in there.

Looks like it would be best if I could take it right out of the car.

I hope the little cleaning job makes my air conditioning colder??

[Q451990]

A couple of seconds of refrigerant loss shouldn't be critical. The seals will leak a little every year anyhow...

The FSM has very detailed graphs and procedures to check the performance of the system in terms of the output temperature relative to the ambient temperature and humidity...

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it too much if it feels cold to you and you're happy with it while driving. If it's not working as well as you would like, you can always add a little refrigerant, since your 1996 model uses R134a refrigerant that's available for about $6 a can over the counter.

Of course, the correct way to charge the system is to have it professionally vacuumed down, so that the exact charge can be put back in - but if you're getting pretty good performance, you can typically top it off a little and get it back to "good enough" assuming you don't have any major leaks.

Heath