A/C Fluid recharge necessary when fixing the spring/valve in the compressor?
 

All,

I'm planning to help a friend out tomorrow with their X-type that has the classic signs of needing the TSB JTB00183 done to swap the valve/spring in the compressor.

Here's the TSB

The question is - the TSB indicates that the A/C should be drained/recharged AFTER the spring/valve are swapped and the cover replaced.

Is this correct? (I would have thought you would drain it before removing the valve). Don't want to have the thing explode in my face, but the TSB definitely doesn't mention draining it beforehand. I'm wondering if for some reason this area is only under pressure with the motor running.

And, if it is correct, then is it actually necessary to drain/recharge the system? (or is that Jaguar just covering themselves)

I'm wondering if I can just pull the cover, swap the valve/spring (and probably replace the O-ring) and then replace the cover? (and not bother with a recharge).

Thanks in advance
Steve

Edit: DUH!! Answered my own question - step 1, you need to recover (drain) the A/C Refrigerant. I was confused as the last step refers to 'evacuate/recharge' - that's when you pull a vacuum on it before refilling. I would have just deleted this thread, but can't see how to do that....