Refrigerant Oil

When it is necessary to replace a component of the refrigerant system, the procedures in this Section must be followed to ensure that the total oil charge in the system is correct after the new part is installed. When the compressor is operated, oil gradually leaves the compressor and is circulated through the system with the refrigerant. Eventually a balanced condition is reached in which a certain amount of oil is retained in the compressor and a certain amount is continually circulated. If a component of the system is removed after the system has been operated, some oil will go with it. To maintain the original total oil charge, it is necessary to compensate for this by replacing the oil in the new replacement part.

The procedures for replacing oil are as follows:

FX-15 Compressor-3/4 View:

DURING COMPRESSOR REPLACEMENT
A new service replacement FX-15 compressor contains 207ml (7 ounces) of refrigerant oil. Prior to installing the replacement compressor, drain the refrigerant oil from the removed compressor into a calibrated container. Then, drain the refrigerant oil from the new compressor into a clean calibrated container. If the amount of oil drained from the removed compressor was between 90 and 148ml (3 and 5 ounces), pour the same amount of clean refrigerant oil into the new compressor. If the amount of oil that was removed from the oil compressor is greater than 148ml (5 ounces), pour 148ml (5 ounces) of clean refrigerant oil into the new compressor. If the amount of refrigerant oil that was removed from the old compressor is less than 90ml (3 ounces), pour 90ml (3 ounces) of clean refrigerant oil into the new compressor.

NOTE: The suction/accumulator-drier and the orifice tube should also be replaced whenever the compressor is replaced.

DURING COMPONENT REPLACEMENT
When replacing other components of the air conditioning system, measured quantities of the specified refrigerant oil should be added to the component to ensure that the total oil charge in the system is correct before the system is operated.

Clean refrigerant oil should be added to the replacement components as follows:
^ Evaporator Core: Add 90ml (3 ounces).
^ Condenser: Add 30ml (1 ounce).
^ Accumulator: Drain oil from removed accumulator drier. Add same amount plus 30ml (1 ounce) of clean refrigerant oil to new accumulator.

NOTE: Clean refrigerant oil should be poured directly into the replacement component.

If any other components such as an orifice tube or a hose is replaced, no additional refrigerant oil is necessary unless a hose bursts with a fully charged system. Then, the addition of refrigerant oil may be necessary with the amount to be determined by the technician. The suction accumulator-drier should also be replaced under these circumstances.