Oil Balance Question
Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:49 am
Hello everyone,
I've got a few questions concerning the A/C in my 1998 eclipse. I'm no stranger to working on cars, and I understand A/C is a tricky subject usually left to professionals but I figured with multiple older (90's) family cars that it wouldn't be a bad thing to try and learn.
The A/C has not been working for about 2 years and was empty. I found a few leaks (high and low side schrader valves, o-rings at the ends of the suction line) and repaired them. When pulling a vacuum I accidentally shut off the pump before I closed the manifold valves on the gauge set and some oil (~ 1 oz) from
the pump was drawn into the system. I know, stupid error. I also think the pump I used (rental) had a defective backflow preventer.
Long story short I removed the evaporator, compressor and lines. I put a solvent based flush through the evaporator after removing the expansion valve, and blew dried compressed air through it for a good amount of time. I drained the compressor, but I only was able to get about .2 oz of oil out of it. The lines were flushed and dried, and I am replacing the receiver dryer.
1. I am essentially starting with a dry system. However, I don't believe the condenser took in any appreciable amount of vacuum pump oil. The service manual states that 1.35 oz of oil settles in the condenser, but since the system has been empty is that number accurate? The compressor barely had anything in it. I don't want to flush the condenser because I don't think I'll be able to get all the chemical out. It took a considerable amount of air to get just the evaporator dry. Should I assume there is 1.35 oz, or flushing it is the only way I can sure of the correct oil amount in the system?
2. I'm finding conflicting information on installing the oil charge. Some manuals state to put the full charge in the compressor, some say put half in the compressor and the other half in the rest of the system. The system capacity is 2.7 - 4.1 oz. The manual uses 3.4 oz as the target amount. Would I be okay putting in 2.05 oz in the compressor directly and assuming there is 1.35 oz in the condenser?
I greatly appreciate any advice.
I've got a few questions concerning the A/C in my 1998 eclipse. I'm no stranger to working on cars, and I understand A/C is a tricky subject usually left to professionals but I figured with multiple older (90's) family cars that it wouldn't be a bad thing to try and learn.
The A/C has not been working for about 2 years and was empty. I found a few leaks (high and low side schrader valves, o-rings at the ends of the suction line) and repaired them. When pulling a vacuum I accidentally shut off the pump before I closed the manifold valves on the gauge set and some oil (~ 1 oz) from
the pump was drawn into the system. I know, stupid error. I also think the pump I used (rental) had a defective backflow preventer.
Long story short I removed the evaporator, compressor and lines. I put a solvent based flush through the evaporator after removing the expansion valve, and blew dried compressed air through it for a good amount of time. I drained the compressor, but I only was able to get about .2 oz of oil out of it. The lines were flushed and dried, and I am replacing the receiver dryer.
1. I am essentially starting with a dry system. However, I don't believe the condenser took in any appreciable amount of vacuum pump oil. The service manual states that 1.35 oz of oil settles in the condenser, but since the system has been empty is that number accurate? The compressor barely had anything in it. I don't want to flush the condenser because I don't think I'll be able to get all the chemical out. It took a considerable amount of air to get just the evaporator dry. Should I assume there is 1.35 oz, or flushing it is the only way I can sure of the correct oil amount in the system?
2. I'm finding conflicting information on installing the oil charge. Some manuals state to put the full charge in the compressor, some say put half in the compressor and the other half in the rest of the system. The system capacity is 2.7 - 4.1 oz. The manual uses 3.4 oz as the target amount. Would I be okay putting in 2.05 oz in the compressor directly and assuming there is 1.35 oz in the condenser?
I greatly appreciate any advice.