The last thing you want to do is tap into a closed system, this is the beginning of the end in most cases. If a unit is damaged, the refrigerant will be gone anyways. A refrigerator holds 4 oz. to 5 oz. refrigerant, it takes a tiny leak to deplete it entirely.
Should you need to pump a system down then you can install a tap temporarily and sil floss in a proper suction line access, the high side is optional.
it is necessary to heat the compressor and strike it with a rubber mallet!
If there are contaminants in the oil, the system will need to be flushed.
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All devices used for refrigerant recovery must be certified by the EPA. If the device was manufactured before November, 1993, It must be capable of recovering 80% of the refrigerant in the appliance. If the device was manufactured after this date, it must be capable of recovering 90% of the refrigerant.
Recovering refrigerant from a system in the vapor phase will minimize the loss of refrigerant into the atmosphere. This helps protect the environment by preventing harmful greenhouse gases from being released. It also ensures compliance with environmental regulations governing the handling of refrigerants.
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Run the circulating pumps
This is not a job for the home fix-er-upper type. There are special tools required, and special training and Federal/EPA training and testing required for refrigerant recovering and recycling. Assuming, then, that you had all of this covered, you would: make the unit safe, disable and lockout the electrical power supply, Pull the refrigerant out of the system and store for later recycling, verify there is no pressure in the system, cut the pipes with a tube cutter leading to the compressor. Remove the power leads to the compressor. Remove the compressor. Mount the new compressor, Fit up new copper pipes and solder them in with a nitrogen purge and limited flux. Connect the power leads. Put a deep vacuum on the system and check for leaks. Charge the system with the correct number of pounds/ounces of refrigerant. Start the system and test run, checking the system pressures with guages to verify proper operation. Put all the panels back on, (with ALL the screws).
Run the circulating pumps
There are three 13mm bolts on the front of the compressor and one 10mm bolt on the back. the rest is recovering the froen, taking the lines off, there is a plug on the back of the compressor.
It is recommended not to make any dramatic changes in the first year (such as getting into/out of a relationship).
There isn't an "AC drain line". Refrigerant is recovered through the schrader valve on the high pressure side. Servicing an AC system is not a "do-it-yourself" task, especially when it comes to recovering, handling, and storing refrigerant.