recovering refrigerant - do you get oil? - Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum

Rodney R on Sun July 11, 2010 3:31 PM

If you recover the refrigerant out of a vehicle, do you get any oil from the system in the recovery tank? Will I need 2 recovery tanks for 134a (one for PAG and one for ester oil), or do I only get refrigerant?

Rodney

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'92 Ford F-250, 7.3 diesel

chris142 on Sun July 11, 2010 7:17 PM

My machine always brings some oil out. Usually less than an ounce unless the system is flooded with oil. If it's flooded I've seen it pull 6 ounces out.

Dougflas on Sun July 11, 2010 7:19 PM

If you recover from the low side, you will only pull vapor and no oil. There is a difference between a recovery machine and a reclaimer machine. Reclaimers have oil separators in them.

CCWKen on Sun July 11, 2010 11:51 PM

My recovery machine has two filters. One on the intake hose and another larger filter/drier before the tank hose. They may pull some oil but the intake filter catches nearly all of it. And these are relatively cheap and a snap to replace. If you don't already, run at least an intake filter. It can save your recovery machine a lot of grief if you happen to be recovering from a dirty system.

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Ken Kopsky

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

Rodney R on Mon July 12, 2010 7:40 PM

I'm using a promax RG5410A, and I recovered from the high side (per the instructions). I do have a filter on the intake.

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'92 Ford F-250, 7.3 diesel

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