Hey guys I hope everyone is doing OK. I am replacing the ac compressor on 1994 5.8l f150 and want to know if I remove the line that is bolted to the back of the compressor will I lose all of my ac charge? I started to take the bolt out and air started to escape, is that air pressure from the ac compressor or my the line?

Thanks Curtis

 

Dude, you're going to hurt yourself. You can't change the compressor until you remove the freon.

 

I'm thinking this job should be handled by someone that has the proper equipment (and knowledge) to work on a/c.

.

 

Thanks that's why I stopped what I was doing. I thought I had read that you could replace the compressor without losing your freon but I was wrong. Guess I'll take it to someone with a little bit more know how than me

 

All you need is to have a shop recover the freon. When the system is empty you can change the compressor yourself, but you're supposed to change the accumulator and orifice tube also.

 

Just have a shop recover the freon. You change what you want to change and have the shop charge it with freon. You need to get the amount of oil correct and the amount of freon correct. You may get away with using kits from parts stores, but if it gets charged wrong it can damage the whole system and even injure/kill you if it blows up. The shop can also test the system for leaks.

If you can actually find a shop that is honest, it shouldn't be very expensive. It's also very recommended to replace the dryer when the system is opened up also.