A/C compressor delete?

[Casey]

I'm working on squeezing a bit more FE out of my old '93 BMW 318is, and an idea hit me. Since there's a problem somewhere between fusebox and AC compressor, would removing the AC compressor entirely help my economy?

It seems as if it would, both from a weight and an engine-load perspective, and since the wiring is messed up, it's not as if I use it anyway.

Mine has a timing chain for the motor and water pump, and separate belts for AC, alternator and auxiliary fan, so unhooking the AC compressor shouldn't interfere with anything else.

Ideas? Good, bad, don't you dare?

[Weather Spotter]

If it is on its own belt, off with it. get rid of it!

[VWCw]

i've been thinking about this one as well. my compressor quit working a bout two years ago. my main concern with removing it is letting the refrigerant out into the atmosphere, which i'm guessing would do much more harm than the tiny amount of CO2 i'd be reducing.

any thoughts on how to safely remove an a/c system?

[Weather Spotter]

You must take it to a licensed AC place, they can remove the refrigerant and dispose of it properly.

[micondie]

If your a/c hasn't worked in two years there probably is no refrigerant left in it. If you have an R-134 system I wouldn't worry about releasing whatever is left into the atmosphere since the switch to R-134 was to make it more eco-friendly.

[Weather Spotter]

You still need to dispose of the refrigerant, any that is left, it is still 1000x worse per pound than co2 as a pollutant. R12 was like 10,000 worse.

[Casey]

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

You still need to dispose of the refrigerant, any that is left, it is still 1000x worse per pound than co2 as a pollutant. R12 was like 10,000 worse.

Mine was bled some time ago- the initial thought was that the problem was simply low R134. Bled it, then it wouldn't take any up, and a rather lengthy rundown with a multimeter, power supply and a electrical diagram proved it was a fried wire between computer and fusebox.

Removing it looks as if it will be a simple task.

[markweatherill]

I had a 1.5L Toyota Sera on which the A/C had never worked. I removed the compressor and changed the belt for a shorter one.
I also took out the condensor, receiver/dryer and all the pipework.
Any increase in mpg couldn't be noticed. Even so, I was happier not to be carting the excess weight around.

[dwtaylorpdx]

So the story used to be,

Rolling a window down, is more load than a modern AC compressor.

I know on my 318ti I get 2 MPG better cruising at 65 windows up, AC on,,,,
Than Cruising at 65 with the windows down. Best mileage when some ventilation is needed is 65 Windows up Sunroof in vent mode and just let air flow throught the car, this works til the outside air gets to about 75 or 85 degrees.

This is based on the On-Board computers MPG readout. Not a lot of real long road trips and logging.
Dave

[Casey]

Since I don't use it, the AC is now dead weight. Think it's gone.