Old beater truck, recharged and holding do I need to add oil?

Dodge 318 on Thu July 08, 2010 7:05 PM

Year: 1995
Make: Dodge
Model: Ram
Engine Size: 318
Refrigerant Type: 134-A
Ambient Temp: 85
Pressure Low: 35
Pressure High: 200
Country of Origin: United States

Tough times force my winter truck to be my summer truck. AC had not blown cold in a few years, but compressor would short cycle in defrost. I pulled a vaccum and charged, but truck obiviously has a slow leak. It's held for about a month with no changes in pressure, but I was wondering if it has a slight leak should I add compressor oil? Compressor sounds normal. I know I should really fix the leak, but this a rusty old beater with 250,000 miles that isn't long for the world it just needs to get me through the year. If I ruin the AC I'll just bypass it, this is really just a shot in the dark thing. If it works great, if not, I go with out AC as I have in the past.

Thanks in advance for your honest opinions.

Chick on Thu July 08, 2010 10:23 PM

You seemed to answer you own questions, but it wouldn't hurt to add a half to an ounce of oil if you know the truck was never touched before.. If it was worked on before, there is no way of knowing.. Add UV dye to aid you in finding your leak, might be nothing more than the service ports..Make sure the caps are on them... Old beater or not, if you're in it for any amount of time, you want the Ac to work, just my opinion...

-------------------------
Chick
Email: Chick

---------------------------------------------

Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

fonebone on Fri July 09, 2010 3:30 AM

I agree with Chick- any vehicle, no matter how old and unsightly, is worth keeping the a\c working. It's sure is a nice feeling, driving on a hot day, looking out the window of your old beater at the traffic , seeing newer, more expensive cars around you with their windows down, knowing they are very uncomfortable, and you are as cool as can be.

Dodge 318 on Fri July 09, 2010 4:46 PM

Thanks for the responce Chick. The AC service history is as follows. I bought the truck in 1996. AC worked fine until 2000. Evacuated and charged in and worked until 2003. In 2003, it blew warm. Did not Vac and added two cans of virgin R-134A. Worked until 2005. Has not been touched since until I pulled a vaccum and added just under the factory charge of 2LB a couple of weeks ago. No part has ever been off the system unless it happened in the first 8,000 miles.

I guess my question is, Does the oil stay trapped in the compressor or does it leak out with the Refridgerent? And if it does leak out with the R-134A, should I be adding any when I refill? There seem to be conflicting data about this on the internet. Some people say no oil unless a part is removed and other say if it's leaking, it's leaking both oil and Refridgerant and oil needs to be added.

Thanks again.

Edited: Fri July 09, 2010 at 4:56 PM by Dodge 318

HVargas on Fri July 09, 2010 5:35 PM

If it is leaking oil, you should be able to tell by a buildup of dirt on the oil that has leaked out along with the refrigerant. If it is just leaking out of a service port slowly or the system doesn't show any signs of wetness anywhere, it still wouldn't hurt to add a tiny amount of oil and pull a good vacuum on the system and recharge it.

-------------------------

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: Arizona Mobile Air

CCWKen on Fri July 09, 2010 5:45 PM

My 81 Chevy C10 still has working A/C. It's been converted to 134A but works well. When you're this far South A/C is not an option, it's a necessity!

-------------------------
Ken Kopsky

Custom Car Works
"Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools."

Dodge 318 on Fri July 09, 2010 6:12 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: Adam@AMA
If it is leaking oil, you should be able to tell by a buildup of dirt on the oil that has leaked out along with the refrigerant. If it is just leaking out of a service port slowly or the system doesn't show any signs of wetness anywhere, it still wouldn't hurt to add a tiny amount of oil and pull a good vacuum on the system and recharge it.

Okay. Everything seems dry. If I were to say add a little oil, would I need to evacuate and vaccum? Could I use one of those cans just to add an ounce or two?

HVargas on Fri July 09, 2010 6:33 PM

You should evacuate and vacuum everytime you charge the system to remove any moisture or air that got into the system. I would evacuate, add an ounce of oil, then vacuum the system for a good 45 minutes and then recharge it with straight R134a.

-------------------------