Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

dadesro on Thu July 07, 2011 7:44 PM

Year: 1989
Make: Pontiac
Model: Firebird
Engine Size: 5 L
Country of Origin: United States

Experienced a catastrophic leak (blown hose) and am replacing the R-4 compressor, accumulator and hose. Shop Manual says total system capacity is 6 ounces. Its a 1989 Pontiac Firebird with a 5 liter engine. Manual Goes on to say if a catastrophic/abrupt leak occurs 3 ounces of oil will be lost (The manual claims that this is pretty constant). Then it says that if accumulator is replaced 2 ounces of oil plus any residual oil in the old accumulator must be replaced. I am not replacing them...but the manual says that the evaporator is supposed to require 3 ounces of oil on replacement and the condenser is supposed to require 1 ounce of oil on replacement.

Sooooo my question is how much oil to add to the system...I am thinking 2 ounces to the Accumulator to replace that which is trapped in the dessicant and 3 ounces to replace the oil that blew out of the system. This makes the assumption that much of the oil in the evaporator and condenser were lost in the blowout. Does this sound like too little or too much oil?

Thanks for any help...

JJM on Thu July 07, 2011 9:07 PM

Flush the system so you'll end up with a dry system and the full 6 oz oil charge to the system. After more than two decades, flushing isn't a bad idea, and at least there's no guessing how much oil is in the system.

Joe

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: www.ACKits.com

dadesro on Thu July 07, 2011 10:31 PM

dadesro on Thu July 07, 2011 10:32 PM

Joe...thank you...totally makes sense...that's what I will do.