Refrigerant Oil: Service and Repair

WARNING: REVIEW SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS BEFORE PERFORMING THIS PROCEDURE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

CAUTION: The oil used in the A/C compressor is SP-15 PAG R-134a refrigerant oil. Only refrigerant oil of the same type should be used to service the A/C system. Do not use any other refrigerant oil. The oil container should be kept tightly capped until it is ready for use and then tightly capped after use to prevent contamination from dirt and moisture. Refrigerant oil will quickly absorb any moisture it comes in contact with, therefore, special effort must be used to keep all R-134a system components moisture-free. Moisture in the refrigerant oil is very difficult to remove and will cause a reliability problem with the A/C compressor.

NOTE: Most reclaim/recycling equipment will measure the lubricant being removed during recovery. This amount of lubricant should be added back into the system. Refer to the reclaim/recycling equipment manufacturers instructions.

It will not be necessary to check the oil level in the A/C compressor or to add oil, unless there has been an oil loss. An oil loss may occur due to a rupture or leak from a refrigerant line, a connector fitting, a component, or a component seal. If a leak occurs, add 30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of refrigerant oil to the refrigerant system after the repair has been made. Refrigerant oil loss will be evident at the leak point by the presence of a wet, shiny surface around the leak.

Refrigerant Oil Capacities:

Refrigerant oil must be added when a receiver/ drier, A/C evaporator or A/C condenser is replaced. See the Refrigerant Oil Capacities chart. When an A/C compressor is replaced, the refrigerant oil must be drained from the old compressor and measured. Drain all of the refrigerant oil from the new A/C compressor, then fill the new compressor with the same amount of refrigerant oil that was drained out of the old compressor.