Refrigerant Oil: Service and Repair
REFRIGERANT OIL LEVEL
When an A/C system is assembled at the factory, all components except the A/C compressor are refrigerant oil free. After the refrigerant system has been charged and operated, the refrigerant oil in the A/C compressor is dispersed throughout the refrigerant system. The A/C accumulator, A/C evaporator, A/C condenser and the A/C compressor will each retain a significant amount of the needed refrigerant oil.
It is important to have the correct amount of refrigerant oil in the A/C system. This ensures proper lubrication of the A/C compressor. Too little oil will result in damage to the A/C compressor, while too much oil will reduce the cooling capacity of the A/C system and consequently result in higher discharge air temperatures.
CAUTION: Be certain to adjust the refrigerant system oil level when replacing an A/C compressor. Drain the refrigerant oil from the A/C compressor using the procedures described below. Failure to properly drain the refrigerant oil from the A/C compressor can prevent the A/C system from operating as designed and cause serious compressor damage.
CAUTION: ND-8 PAG refrigerant oil is used in the A/C system. Only refrigerant oil of the same type should be used to service this R-134a A/C system. Do not use any other refrigerant oil. The refrigerant oil container should be kept tightly capped until it is ready for use and then tightly capped after use to prevent contamination from moisture and dirt. 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 amount of refrigerant oil being removed during the recovery process. This amount of refrigerant oil should always be added back into the refrigerant system. Refer to the reclaim/recycling equipment manufacturers instructions.
It will not be necessary to check the oil level within the A/C refrigerant system or to add oil, unless there has been an oil loss. A refrigerant oil loss may occur due to component replacement or a rupture or leak from a refrigerant line, connector fitting, component or component seal. If a leak does occurs, add 30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of the recommended 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 must be added when an A/C accumulator, A/C evaporator or A/C condenser is replaced. See Refrigerant Oil Capacities charts.
The refrigerant oil level in a new A/C compressor must first be adjusted prior to compressor installation. See COMPRESSOR OIL DRAIN PROCEDURES.
REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES - 5SE12 A/C COMPRESSOR
REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES - 6SEU16 A/C COMPRESSOR
COMPRESSOR OIL DRAIN PROCEDURE - DENSO 5SE12 A/C COMPRESSOR
CAUTION: Be certain to adjust the refrigerant system oil level when replacing an A/C compressor. The refrigerant oil in the Denso 5SE12 A/C compressor can only be drained using the procedure below. Failure to properly drain the refrigerant oil from the A/C compressor can prevent the A/C system from operating as designed and cause serious compressor damage.
NOTE: When replacing multiple A/C system components, see the Refrigerant Oil Capacities chart to determine how much oil should be removed from the new A/C compressor (example: new 5SE12 A/C compressor and an accumulator requires 80 ml. (2.7 oz.) of oil to be added to the system. 120 ml. (4.1 oz.) of oil is in new compressor. 120 ml. (4.1 oz.) minus 80 ml. (2.7 oz.) equals 40 ml. (1.4 oz.) oil to be drained from new compressor).
If the Denso 5SE12 A/C compressor is being replaced, some refrigerant oil must first be drained from the new A/C compressor. The 5SE12 A/C compressor is filled with 120 milliliters (4.1 oz.) from the factory. Drain 70 milliliters (2.4 oz.) of refrigerant oil from the new 5SE12 compressor. Use the following procedure to drain and measure refrigerant oil from the Denso 5SE12 A/C compressor.
1. Place the new A/C compressor (1) on a workbench.
2. Position the A/C compressor so that the refrigerant oil can drain out of the suction port (2) into a suitable clean measured container. Hold the A/C compressor in this position until no more oil comes out of the compressor port.
3. Reposition the A/C compressor (1) so that the pulley (2) is facing upward and slowly rotate the compressor pulley clockwise one full turn.
CAUTION: The 5SE12 A/C compressor is filled with 120 milliliters (4.1 oz.) from the factory. Drain 70 milliliters (2.4 oz.) of refrigerant oil from the new 5SE12 compressor.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 at least seven times or until the required amount of refrigerant oil is drained from the new compressor.
CAUTION: Failure to properly adjust the refrigerant oil level prior to installation of a replacement compressor can prevent the A/C system from operating as designed and cause serious compressor damage.
5. Install the new A/C compressor onto the engine A/C Compressor - Installation.
COMPRESSOR OIL DRAIN PROCEDURE - DENSO 6SEU16 A/C COMPRESSOR
CAUTION: Be certain to adjust the refrigerant system oil level when replacing an A/C compressor. The refrigerant oil in the Denso 6SEU16 A/C compressor can only be drained using the procedure below. Failure to properly drain the refrigerant oil from the A/C compressor can prevent the A/C system from operating as designed and cause serious compressor damage.
If the Denso 6SEU16 A/C compressor is being replaced, some refrigerant oil must first be drained from the new A/C compressor. The 6SEU16 A/C compressor is filled with 100 milliliters (3.4 oz.) from the factory. Drain 60 milliliters (2.1 oz.) of refrigerant oil from the new 6SEU16 compressor. Use the following procedure to drain and measure refrigerant oil from the Denso 6SEU16 A/C compressor.
1. Place the new A/C compressor (2) on a workbench and remove the drain plug (1).
CAUTION: The 6SEU16 A/C compressor is filled with 100 milliliters (3.4 oz.) from the factory. Drain 60 milliliters (2.1 oz.) of refrigerant oil from the new 6SEU16 compressor when replacing only the compressor.
NOTE: When replacing multiple A/C system components, see the Refrigerant Oil Capacities chart to determine how much oil should be removed from the new A/C compressor (example: new 6SEU16 A/C compressor and an accumulator requires 60 ml. (2.1 oz.) of oil to be added to the system. 100 ml. (3.4 oz.) of oil is in new compressor. 100 ml. (3.4 oz.) minus 60 ml. (2.1 oz.) equals 40 ml. (1.4 oz.) oil to be drained from new compressor).
2. Position the A/C compressor so that the refrigerant oil can drain out of the drain port into a suitable clean measured container. Hold the A/C compressor in this position until the required amount of refrigerant oil is drained from the new compressor.
CAUTION: Failure to properly adjust the refrigerant oil level prior to installation of a replacement compressor can prevent the A/C system from operating as designed and cause serious compressor damage.
3. Reinstall the drain plug. Tighten the drain plug securely.
4. Install the new A/C compressor onto the engine A/C Compressor - Installation.