How difficult would it be to remove A/C from a car?

[Frank N. O.]

First-off before you answer:
1. An average A/C system weighs a fair amount and the more weight the more fuel-use.
2. In Denmark there is NO need for A/C.
3. It's recently been brought to attention that the system can cultivate mould etc. if not used at least once a week.
4. A/C drains power from the car resulting in increased fuel-use.
5. I've tried looking both in Denmark and Germany and it seems that all Mondeo mk.2s have A/C, even cars that don't have heated-seats which is normally std. for danish cars, for some stupid reason.

Something like a late 90s Ford Mondeo, to remove the system both in terms of weight and power-loss. Would it be possible without having to change major components in the engine-room?

Frank

P.S. The reason is that my own house doesn't seem to be very realistic, but the 206's suspension now makes a loud noise like opening an old rusty cardoor going over every bump that uses some suspension-travel, even at crawl-speed, plus the trunk is too small, and my body-width and increasingly regular shoulder-pains makes the small car feel more and more cramped.

[Justin Martin]

2. In Denmark there is NO need for A/C.

Do you need it for the defroster to work? I know I do, the defroster in my Celica is useless unless the AC is turned on. The GM cars that i've driven automatically turn on the AC when you turn on the defroster.

3. It's recently been brought to attention that the system can cultivate mould etc. if not used at least once a week.

I don't know why it would if you're not using the AC.

4. A/C drains power from the car resulting in increased fuel-use.

Only when the AC is turned on. When it's off, the compressor should freewheel, so it uses practically no power. Only whatever it takes to overcome the inertia of the pulley and the resistance of the bearing.


Don't get me wrong, there's definitely reasons to take it out, the extra weight being number one. As far as taking it out goes, just find out what the difference is between a AC and non-AC'ed car. You'll probably just have to remove the AC components, and use a different fan belt.

[blackice111288]

but the 206's suspension now makes a loud noise like opening an old rusty cardoor going over every bump that uses some suspension-travel
sounds like its time for some new shocks..........

on taking your A/C out, it wouldn't be that hard if you know what your doing, but it would be a dirty job, and it also requires alot of work. first, you would have to go to a place that has the equpment to discharge the frion out of your A/C coolant lines. after that, you would need to remove your A/C compressor off of your motor (i'm not sure if it would run with out resized belts, because the compressor is belt driven. then you would go about removing the hoses and related components of the A/C system. if you wgo to your local auto parts store, they should have complete repair and matenance manuals on your car. the manuals usually have complete sections about the A/C system. they usually include pics to, incase you dont know what is is they are talking about

[Commander]

It isn't hard to do, it just comes off. Don't disconnect any lines though, you need to take the assembly to a place that will discharge it, as said before. As for the reason why you would want to take it off, I can't justify it myself. The weight of a BIG A/C unit, such as that on my full sized van, weighs only about as much as one of my dumb-bell weights, so I am sure that yours is even lighter; not enough to make a difference. As Justin said, the A/C will rob almost no power when the compressor is not engaged, and again as he says, you may want it for the defrost. You shouldn't need it for the defrost, but the compressor helps warm it up a lot faster, that's all. As for mould, well that might happen on the outside of the condenser where moisture builds up only if you park the car for a long time when the condenser is wet, but the engine heat will kill that anyway next time you drive. So I can't really justify removing an A/C unit unless it is severely damaged or something. Sometimes it is necessary to remove the belt if the compressor bearing is beginning to cramp up, if the pulley is bent, or if the system has leaked dry and you don't want the bearing to seize by running it dry. So the answer ultimately is: It isn't hard to take out at all, but it serves no real purpose to do so.

[TMiller]

The AC unit normally pops on for about 15 seconds. There you can watch the engine idle down about 50RPMs and when it pops off it will freespin and allow the engine to rev up again. The thing the AC unit does is just take the condensation out of the air so you don't fog your windows up. I'm guessing its about common on all cars now that the AC unit is required to run the defrost. When our pickups AC unit blew a gasket the engine would not idle right it would rev up to about 1500 RPM, and when you shut the AC off it would idle down.
I would leave it on cause they do a lot of good if you run the defrost. Plus you might run into computer problems, cause our pickup would rev up cause the computer said there was no AC presure.

[chris]

I agree with the others here. The fuss of removing A/C, for the little, if any benefit just doesn't make it worth your time or effort.

[Wazza]

Also with the others on this one Frank. Don't see any use in removing something that doesn't severely affect the car. How about a future owner of the vehicle? Would you put it back in, or tell them you didn't want it?
I could save more weight by going to the gym more often, and burning off those 10kgs. And if you're worried about weight.. Run on 5-10litres of fuel, and top of every few runs, rather than a full tank. My car takes 44 litres, and I always fill to the brim, and burn right down as far as I can go, without sucking up dirt in the bottom of the tank. :rolleyes:

My A/C does draw a lot of power. Very noticeable when driving uphill. My A/C knob has broken, and some days it just has to be turned on, either as a defroster, or just to warm the car up. (A/C on/off, or Economy heat mode). Basically, the 0, 1, 2, 3 phase switch has broken off, so I must use my fingers to turn this 4mm diameter knob, which rips my fingers to shreds. One day I will consider spending $20 on a new Toyota A/C knob. ^_^

[VQ]

Not worth it, in Australia, some cars don't even have a/c standard and any house older then about 15 years usually doesn't have any A/C installed, which is pretty stupid considering how hot Australia gets, at least christmas day is gonna be low 20's for once...

[wello]

why take the AC off AC will defrost a window quicker than the hot as strange as it sounds I use my AC for a demister all the time may be different with the ice you guys have but for a normal foggy window AC is the go

[VQ]

yeah, it's good for that, dad does that too.