Pete & Phil,
I was also wondering what I would do about this when I eventually put the
A/C back together on my '73.
I'm pretty skeptical about there being much residual oil in the evaporator
and condenser in my case, after sitting around in storage in the attic of
the garage for 20 years!!
Anyway, I was thinking rather than guessing how much oil may be left in the
components, I would just blow out all the component parts with compressed
air to remove all doubt about any residual oil, and then add the full
amount of oil to the compressor crankcase as they did at the factory.
Jim Stacey
'73 4drht slowly going back together
Near Toronto
-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Peter Engel
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 9:08 AM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: A/C system oil
Phil,
This is definitely the great unknown when servicing an A/C system and
I've been struggling with it for years.
Theoretically, a properly operating system will circulate oil
continuously throughout the system. Some manufacturers have released
specs on how much oil pools in each component after shutdown but these
are only approximate values.
At the other extreme, manufacturers recommend a full oil charge be added
if the system vents catastrophically (as in a front end collision where
a hose/line breaks open).
Unfortunately, neither of these conditions apply for about 90% of the
A/C systems I've serviced.
If you got no oil out of the old compressor I'd add the full capacity to
the system before recharging. I've always erred on the high side when
doing this operation and never had a problem. Some of the faulty R-12
A/C systems I serviced over 10 years ago are still going strong.
Do drain all the oil out of the old compressor, though, since the
shipping charge can be many times more than a normal full charge.
My .02
Pete in PA
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 22:21:44 -0500
Subject: IML: Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement
From: <pbrust@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I encountered something new while replacing a siezed compressor on a
lesser Mopar: there was no oil in the compressor.
While that explains the siezure, it raises the question of how much
distributed oil there is left in the system.
The manual states that 2 oz of oil for the evaporator and 1 oz of oil
for the condenser should be removed from the 7.75 oz of oil in the new
compressor.
Since the system probably doesn't have the normal level of distributed
oil, I'm inclined to remove only an ounce or two from the new
compressor.
Has anyone had experience with this?
Phil Brust
Jefferson GA
73 & 82 Imperial
Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network