Compressor Oil

The oil used to lubricate the compressor is circulating with the refrigerant.

Whenever replacing any component of the system or a large amount of gas leakage occurs, add oil to maintain the original amount of oil.

Oil Capacity.
Capacity total in system 150 cc (5.0 fl.oz.)
Compressor (Service parts) charging amount 150 cc (5.0 fl.oz.)

Checking and Adjusting Oil Quantity for Used Compressor
1. Perform Oil return operation.
(Refer to "Oil Return Operation".)
2. Discharge and recover refrigerant and remove the compressor.




3. Drain the compressor oil and measure the extracted oil with a measuring cylinder.
4. If the amount of oil drained is much less than 9O cc (3.0 fl.oz.), some refrigerant may have leaked out. Conduct leak tests on connections of each system, and if necessary, repair or replace faulty parts.
5. Check the compressor oil for contamination.
(Refer to "Contamination of Compressor Oil".)




6. Adjust oil level following the procedure below:

Collected Amount Charging Amount
more than 9O cc (3.0 fl.oz.) same as collected amount
less than 90 cc (3.0 fl.oz.) 90 cc (3.0 fl.oz.)

7. Install the compressor, then evacuate, charge and perform oil return operation.
8. Check system operation.

When it is impossible to perform oil return operation, the compressor oil should be checked in the following order:
1. Discharge and recover refrigerant and remove the compressor.
2. Drain the compressor oil and measure the extracted oil with a measuring cylinder.
3. Check the oil for contamination.
4. If more than 9O cc (3.0 fl.oz.) of oil is extracted from the compressor, supply same amount of oil to the compressor to be installed.

If the amount of oil extracted is less than 9O cc (3.0 fl.oz.), recheck the compressor oil in the following order:
5. Supply 9O cc (3.0 fl.oz.) of oil to the compressor and install it onto the vehicle.
6. Evacuate and recharge with proper amount of refrigerant.
7. Perform oil return operation.
8. Remove the compressor and recheck the amount of oil.
9. Adjust the compressor oil, if necessary.

Collected Amount Charging Amount
more than 9O cc (3.0 fl.oz.) same as collected amount
less than 90 cc (3.0 fl.oz.) 90 cc (3.0 fl.oz.)

Checking and Adjusting for Compressor Replacement
150cc (5.0 fl.oz.) of oil is charged in compressor (service parts). So it is necessary to drain the proper amount of oil from the new compressor.
1. Perform oil return operation.
2. Discharge and recover refrigerant and remove the compressor.
3. Drain the compressor oil and measure the extracted oil.
4. Check the compressor oil for contamination.
5. Adjust oil level as required.

Amount of oil drained Draining amount of oil
from used compressor from new compressor
less than 90 cc (3.0 fl.oz.) Same as drained amount
more than 90 cc (3.0 fl.oz.) 90 cc (3.0 fl.oz.)

6. Evacuate, charge and perform oil return operation.
7. Check system operation.

CONTAMINATION OF COMPRESSOR OIL
Unlike engine oil, no cleaning agent is added to the compressor oil. Even if the compressor runs for a long period of time (approximately 1 season), the oil never becomes contaminated as long as there is nothing wrong with the compressor or its method of use.

Inspect the extracted oil for any of the following conditions:
- The capacity of the oil has increased.
- The oil has changed color to red.
- Foreign substances, metal powder, etc., are present in the oil.
If any of these conditions exists, compressor oil is contaminated. Whenever contaminated compressor oil is discovered, the receiver/dryer must be replaced.

OIL RETURN OPERATION
There is close affinity between the oil and the refrigerant. During normal operation, part of the oil recirculates with the refrigerant in the system. When checking the amount of oil in the system, or replacing any component of the system, the compressor must be run in advance for oil return operation. The procedure is as follows:
1. Open the all doors and engine hood.
2. Start the engine and air conditioning switch is "ON" and Set the fan control knob at its highest position.
3. Run the compressor for more than 20 minutes between 800 and 1,000 rpm in order to operate the system.
4. Stop the engine.