How to recover R134a refrigerant from a car

So you need to discharge the a/c system on a car for service or for a motor swap. And want to put it back in afterwards. Well, this is how...

Beginning in 1992 & by 1994 100% of all cars use R134a refrigerant.

[bradclancy]

As a Reefer Tech. I work on both automotive type systems as well as reefer trailers. I will say that not everything was done correctly in this video. Not going to point it out, others have already. I just give you props for going out and getting most of the tools needed. You are trying to do it the correct way, that is great. You are using a filter on your recovery machine. I can't tell you how many times I have seen a universe and/or a type 2 certified tech not use one. Hell I've done it before out of laziness. Tring to do something the correct way, gos a long way in my book.

[stevenkennard]

It looks like this has been mentioned in the comments already but I just want to clarify for anyone reading: the 'valve' on the yellow line he says he opens around 5:10 IS NOT a valve, it is a cap which simply covers a 'schrader valve'. When opening the red or blue valve, you are always connecting the yellow line to whatever side you opened! The cap on the yellow line does nothing but protect the schrader valve, just like a cap on your tire.

[wiley]

You can definitely trust this guy because he knows that
A. 16 lbs bottle that has 0.8oz more weight (16.8lbs) is 12.8oz of recovered refrigerant.

[MrPlatinumfan]

this was excellent. Idk why but this is like the only good video explaining the standard procedure . thanks

[rbailey]

just to help out those automotive applications are measured in grams or ounces. Part of the reason these machines are so much cheaper is because the really expensive ones are automated and all the measuring is done for you. All you have to do is dial up the amount to be loaded in and hit start. Evac is the same....it measures what comes out.The machine handles the rest. Makes it really easy to detect proper levels. But this is pretty handy for those DIY who want to do it the responsible way.

[CayRome]

Great Video, appreciate the fact you let the camera run all the way through, thank you!

[reedrobb]

My LOW side is above my HIGH side. I do believe the magic words are about pressure and not about height above the ground.

[davidfrank]

Thank you for the information. I have looked at different videos for the last hour and a half. They all claimed that they would show the process from beginning to end. I could not find anyone doing what you did. I am a backyard mechanic and I have all the important tools to work on just about anything including air conditioning. Matter of fact I have three different set of gauges. I have one for r12 and two for r134. I have a vacuum pump I just don't have the recovery equipment. I wanted to see exactly what I needed. Your video showed me exactly what I need. And you went ahead and answered my question about reusing the freon that you recovered. Again thank you for the great information.

[lruiz]

Thanks for posting this video. I’m replacing a compressor tomorrow at work. It’s my first time using my recovery machine had it for a few months. Thanks again, I can sleep now 👍

[MightyPssum]

You need to vacuum the storage tank before you try to use it.

[fireyourrocketts]

Great video, I got my system completed but slightly expensive about half price of yours more. Went with Harbor Freight Manifold Gauges, Inficon Dual Vortex Recovery Machine which is $835.00, same recovery tank as yours, I have a VivoHome Scale for about $100.00 and also have a vacuum pump form before from Harbor Freight. this is to work only in one car but not worries, my brother is actually a HVAC Tech so he can use them after and he is very happy with the Inficon recovery machine

[phartblossum]

Thanks for at least showing an evac machine.

Yours is the first video on youtube in which I saw the capture evac pump

Most youtube "DIYer A/C recharge/repair" videos TELL you to get someone to evac your system for you. (Or kinda, sorta, imply you could vent it)
Then most videos jump to using a vacuum pump, getting a vacuum and adding freon, oil, and dye.


Still reviewing the last section of video.

[richmcgarvey]

This is the first time you have ever touched any of this lol. But at least you watched a few videos first.

[fireyourrocketts]

Man came revisiting your video because I could not find those adapters anywhere looked for days for it, finally seen here they are at NAPA, LOL, just bought one adapter for $20.00 if I get it at NAPA I will be returning it. I only need one!

[jamie-hbgy]

you didnt purge the lines between the ports and the gauges.now you have water in the recovery tank.

[jimc]

I’ve never messed with AC systems before. I’ve been studying and learning how to do it for the past month, before I buy all the equipment and start working on a couple cars I have. So many things here are not the way to do it. I would mention them but it looks like the professionals already beat me to it. 😂

[coldfingersub]

1990 was the first year R134a was first test run only one model for a few manufactures. You did not use a refrigerant analyzer to test the purity of the refrigerant this is mandatory by law from the EPA I mean California bureau of auto repair as of 2018. Any one doing refrigerant work should always test. You absolutely do not know what you are doing and should not be telling people how to damage their cars or customers cars. You never start your recovery from the high side line because you remove too much oil with liquid refrigerant, way more then you should or by recovering the proper way. That little filter inline is just to protect the recovery machine thats all. That little filter dose not remove the moisture it is saturated the first time it is open to the atmosphere. You do not just go bleeding off refrigerant to the atmosphere. if you vacuumed out you machine and hoses you do not get air in it in the first place. Then you test with you refrigerant analyzer that is the ONLY way you know. There is a lot of commentated refrigerant in cars because of IDIOTS who recover refrigerant from one bad car mix it with all the refrigerant then put it in all the other car like a STD.
On top of that the refrigerant recovered by this method is completely moisture saturated. Unsuitable to be put back into any car. Moisture + refrigerant = hydrofloric acid, it brakes down the oil, eats at the metal parts from the inside out and on electric motor winding it brakes down the insulation on the wires over time.
Also you must recover down to at least 15" or more vacuum wait 15 min and if vacuum falls below 15" vacuum turn on the recovery unit again and wait it should not fall below 15" vacuum then you know you have removed the refrigerant. And it is also mandated by EPA regulations ans proper practices. This video gets the YouTube Homer Simpson award. Congratulation.

[greatcars-sale]

AFTER looking at the comments SORRY THIS VIDEO IS TELLS PEOPLE THE BASIC INFO AND HOW TO GET THE JOB DONE. VIDEO WAS

[corneliuswoodson]

Overall great video...spme mistakes but diy id say grwat bro..all these negative comments bro...forget em...

[philcross]

I'm not an expert, that's why I'm looking you tube. This confirms to me that this is probably not the place to look, , , I saw many mistakes and I know little. Love the bit when he is taking R134a out and calling it Freon. I have charged fridges and cars but want to drain responsibly rather than venting to air (I assume you have to with R134a). Was waiting for the brass cap to fall off in his hands when opening the vac line!