A/C Compressor (car) OIL

Jack345 · Jul 18, 2015

I'm in the process of replacing a compressor in my car (used from low mileage parts car). I drained the oil from old compressor & got about 1/2 to 3/4 oz of oil and about the same amount from newer compressor. Tag on compressors reads 5.7 of oil. Does the tag refer to total oil in system or to the oil in compressor only? I know that there is some oil that circulates within all A/C parts & hoses and if one is replaced oil should be added. But where help is needed is the compressor.. it has a fill & drain plugs, do I fill it with 5.7 oz of oil or replace what was drained out? Thanks .

Bob · Jul 18, 2015

If you have done this properly and replaced the dryer and properly flushed the system, 5.7 ounces of oil is needed.

If not, whatever you do is a GUESS, but 1/2 to 3/4 ounce of oil in the compressor is NOT going to be enough.

Did you notice any oil mess around any of the connections in the AC lines, etc?

Typically what happens is that there's a leak and oil gets pushed out along with the refrigerant at a leak, over time, and when there's no longer enough left in the compressor to properly lube it, it fails.

BayouFlyFisher · Jul 19, 2015

I just replaced the old York compressor on my '77 Mercedes 300D with a new Sanden compressor. The new compressor was delivered with PAG oil in it. Since I was sticking with R12 (I have a good supply still), I was told by the distributor to thoroughly drain all the PAG oil. Then put 6 ounces of mineral oil in the compressor and an additional 2 ounces in the discharge hose or the dryer.

da.bees · Jul 19, 2015

Bob is giving you the right answer.

jimg.allentown · Jul 19, 2015

I agree with Bob with the following exception: Beware of putting in too much oil. I think I would consider that there may be a little oil in the lines, in the evaporator and in the condenser, but the majority of the oil in the system will be in the receiver/dryer and in the compressor. Lack of oil could be the reason for the compressor failure. Personally, I have a recovery machine, and it usually pulls out most of the oil in the system. I had a case where a friend was complaining of not enough cooling in his system. He wanted me to put in more refrigerant. I hooked up the gauges, and showed him that the pressures were where they should be, and that this being the case, there was a different problem. We finally put the recovery machine on it, and it pulled out ever a quart of oil. We drained it dry, put in the correct amount of oil, and recharged it. Worked like a charm after that.

A/C Compressor (car) OIL

Jack345

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Bob

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BayouFlyFisher

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da.bees

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jimg.allentown

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