AC Installation Tips, Uncategorized

Do I Need To Add Oil To My AC Compressor?

Customers often ask whether or not they need to add oil to an air conditioning compressor they purchase from us. This question comes up because people want to avoid poor cooling or failure problems resulting from improper oil levels. Fortunately, most people realize the harm to the system and the potential danger of running an AC compressor with no oil.

Do I need to Add Oil?

In all cases, Classic Auto Air customers receive a compressor that is fully charged WITH THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OIL.

Compressors that Classic Auto Air rebuilds come with a full system charge of Ester 100 oil, which is compatible with both the old R12 refrigerant and newer 134a.  New, R12 Rotary compressors come with a full system charge of Mineral Oil, which is compatible only with R12 refrigerant.  New 134a rotary compressors come with a full system charge of PAG oil, which is compatible only with 134a refrigerant.

If your compressor is going into a system that has previously been installed, it’s important to get as much of the original oil charge out of the system as possible to protect against an oil overcharge.  It’s typically ok for an extra ounce or two of oil to remain in the system, provided it is contaminant free.  A significant overcharge of oil (over 2 ounces) however, can cause multiple problems, including inefficient cooling and immediate or premature compressor failure.

As stated above, it is important to fully evacuate your air conditioning system to assure that any contaminants have been removed before attaching a new compressor. Contamination is one of the biggest causes of component failure. Failure to ensure the system is contaminant-free can cause your newly replaced compressor (and other components) to fail and void the component warranty.

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7 thoughts on “Do I Need To Add Oil To My AC Compressor?

  1. Luke Peterson says:

    You can believe every thing on the internet…….NOT. so where can I find a video of a full ac system flush, with chemicals and rinse ready to evacuate and charge?
    have done AC for 30 years as an occasional service including R12 and 134a and yet I never feel I have done the job right. there are people out there that claim flushing is ineffective and just replace the orifice tube or expansion valve and condenser??? how do you know a condenser is flushed and oil free? how much flush to use do I let it soak? air purge? brake clean to get all oil? what is a clean system? and install a filter? is it safe and what to expect?

  2. Lloyd says:

    Had to remove coolent line from a fully charged system from the condenser in order to remove the radiator. Do I have to replace the dryer and add oil before a vac and recharge?
    Thanks

  3. Samuel says:

    How much to rebuild my York style vertical compressor off my VW van?
    Thanks,
    Sam

  4. Nathan Valentine says:

    What determines how much oil should go in a system? Obviously size plays a part but Ive notived inconsistant recommendations/ specification among similar sized sytems some even with sma emodel compressors. some systems calling for as much 8/10 oz and many stating only 4. It seems 4 is a concensus among replacement comressor remanufacutrers; such as “drain the oild oil out of t he original compressor and put that much fresh oil in the compressor if it is more than 2 oz. If less than 2 oz of oil is drained from the original install 4 oz of fresh oil in the new compressor.” That is a significant difference. That could double the amountof oil in many cases and it becomes even more confusing when it says the specification for that compressor is 6 oz in the factory service manual – 8 total recommending 1 in the accumulator. dryer, and 1 in the condemsor if flushed. which means your 4 oz is less that 1/2 needed?? #1 How do you really know how much oil is needed/ NECESSARY withouth over charging it with oil? And #2 why doesnt everyone’s information match up? Gut feeling would be trust the vehicle manufacutrer specs. then you wonder maybe I should go by the compressor manufaturers specs, and when the suppleir you buy from says use even a 3rd different spec or the wont warranty if a failure occurs, and all three information supplies differe by more than 1/2 the amount, then what? WHen / if it fails, How di I as a technican know what happened? In cant open the compressor and inspect it for fear of voiding the warranty, so what is the answer?

  5. James Gregor says:

    Hi,
    I have a classic auto air in my 68 mustang and it has lost its charge. I have found the leak but, I want to know how to drain any remaining oil from the compressor and how much and what type of oil to refill. Using 134A.

    Cheers

    James

  6. Hi.
    I have a 1988 Toyota pickup 2.4L engine and I’m wondering what Type and weight of mineral oil the AC compressor should use. It is a YORK compressor and unfortunately,I can’t see the model# on the information Tag. A little old. Can you advise? Thanks…
    Kevin

    1. Steven R says:

      Hello Kevin

      Thanks for the email. Here at our Texas location we design and manufacture all the aftermarket systems.
      I have a Original Air group in Tampa, Florida that would be able to help you out with that question.
      If you like please visit their website at Originalair.com or give them a call at 877-371-0570 and they should
      be able to help you out.

      Thanks again
      Steve

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