Silly question about Air Con

Apologies if this sounds a silly question but I have no idea regarding air
Conditioning.
I have just bought a Vectra that has a seized engine the car has been fitted
with air con.
I plan to fit a replacement engine in next weekend.
To give me more room in the engine bay I want to disconnect and remove the
air con pump.

There are two pipes that run to the air con, my question is this:

Can I just disconnect the two rubber pipes?

I am not worried about the air con working afterwards as it's something I
would never need.
I just need to know that I'm not doing anything dangerous by disconnecting
the pipes.

 

Google refrigerator/refrigerant disposal.
Officially, you're supposed to get it professionally disposed of - as it
destroys ozone.
I know someone who had a massive refrigerant leak, which essentially
resulted in a prodigious quantity of steam being produced.
Safety considerations : - keep it away from bare skin, which it'll burn
(being so cold) - but I'd imagine it'll evaporate PDQ.

 

So you think as long as I wear heavy duty gloves I can disconnect the pipes
with no harmful effects to myself?

 

Well, I'd be willing.
Just make sure they're rubber gloves.

 

The gas can cause frost bite and I am sure I once read somewhere it is
illegal to knowingly release it into the atmosphere.
I would ring a few mobile ac people and get a price for them to de gas it
before you strip and re gas after. Point out that you wouldn't be using any
of their gas cos you would just be putting back what they took out.
AC is great to have so would be a shame not to use it if it is fitted.
By the way - are you sure it has gas in cos Vectras do tend to leak a bit
from the main pipe and if previous owner didn't bother getting it repaired
you won't need to de gas it?

 

give local garage or mobile aircon guy a ring.
they will prob come and degas it for you at no charge
what they get out (if it has not leaked) will more than pay their wage if
the truth be known!

mike

 

If you're anywhere near Poole, I'll de-gas it for free: www.poolecool.co.uk