rgs944

OK, here is where I am at. I have replaced the canister and as many seals as I could last year when I did the TB job. I have 20lbs of R12. I borrowed R12 guages for the weekend. I also went to Napa and got the Esther oil. To my surprise it comes in a fluid bottle. I was expecting to put it in with the R12 low pressure hookup. So my first question would be, where is the best way to pour it in the compressor and how many ounces should an empty system have? I did not have the compressor out so maybe it has oil still in it? After that I will hook up the freon and jumper the AC to get it circulating. I will put the tank on a bathroom scale and put in 3lbs. It does have rear AC. I will also watch for the bubbles in the sight glass. What am a I missing or doing wrong? Probably plenty but I am not a pro AC guy so this is the best I came up with to get some cold blowing.

Speedtoys

Pour it in via the suction line to the compressor..there is a connection TO that, about what..2" from the low side R12 connection under the upper radiator hose. Pour er in.

How much? 9oz...but only if the compressor is empty.

If you didnt drop the compressor, you didnt change the WORST shape Orings in the whole system.

The ones on the compressor itself.

They WILL look like this:

ammonman

The oil volume in a new 6E171 compressor is 280 cc +/- 20 cc. Once the system has run, 10% of that oil ends up in the dryer so that is how much you removed when you took the old dryer out. You need to add between 26 and 30 cc (about an ounce) of oil to the new receiver. I hope you didn't leave the system open for a year after installing the new dryer. If so, the dryer is full of moisture and no good. As cheap as they are I would install another new dryer before charging. You will also need a deep draw vacuum pump to evacuate all the air from the system as well as evaporate out any moisture in the system before adding the refrigerant.

Mike

rgs944

Thank you, I will look for that. I did not unbolt the compressor but I did take the lines off and look for seals so maybe I got those changed. It has just been a while since I did it. I think I might go about 6ounces since there likely is some in the bottom of the compressor yet.

Speedtoys

If you didnt drop it, you didnt replace the four critical seals at the compressor plate where the lines go into it.

They're shot.

Be a good time to drain out the gunky oil in the compressor as well.

rgs944

I did not leave the system open so I think I am OK there. As far as vaccum I just do not have any way to do that and I only have the guages for this weekend. I am basically hoping for the best that I will be able to fill to correct levels and be OK. I just do not have the equipment to do it the right way. I have a friend who changed engines in a R12 vehicle a few years back and had the system open for a few months. Afterwards he just charged it without even putting in a new reciever dryer and it works good. I am hoping for similiar results.

Speedtoys

Then..what advice did you need? You seem all set.

Ive recently learned the hard way myself.

rgs944

For some reason I think I got the seals on the compressor fittings. It has been so long but maybe I did drop it down to get as some seals. For this weekend I am just going to go for the recharge and see what happens. If it does not work I will do more work and try again next year.

rgs944

My main question is on the oil fill and volume. So basically I have a 8OZ bottle. Given that I likely still have some oil in there what would be a guess on how much I should put in. I know its only a guess. I know my friend did not put any oil in. I want to put a little in just to know there is something in there. I wish I could do it entirely by the book but I do not have the equipment or knowledge.

Speedtoys

Didnt ammonman get that answer?

You dont need much knowledge..just the right equipment.


Look....

Drop the compressor, replace those four critical seals.
$30 for another dryer at the corner store there

Couple hrs, done.

Have a tech somewhere pull a vacum..see if it holds..if it does...

Put on your manifold at home, and pull in as a liquid the initial charge from vacum (with the can on a scale).then put in the rest as a gas slowly once car is runnung until your weight of R12 is in it.

But if you do this at home, and dont pull a vacuum, it'll end in tears.

ammonman

From the WSM



Unless you flushed all the oil out of the system you only need to add back what was in the replaced components. If you drop the compressor and change out the oil in it as suggested by speedtoys then you will have to add 40% of the full oil charge to the compressor. The rest of the necessary oil is still in the evaporator and condenser.

That is a great idea to have a local shop pull the vacuum. Saves the cost of a vacuum pump for a single use.

Mike

AirtekHVAC

If you don't pull a vacuum, there will be moisture in the system, it will cause problems, with the compressor and expansion valve. Surely there is an AC guy somewhere near you that can pull it down on the quick...

rgs944

I guess I will leave it alone and see if I can find a local shop to vaccum next week. Will the vaccum pull any oil out? Thanks Mike for the great WSM page.

Speedtoys

Vaccum will not pull any oil out. Nope.

rgs944

So after I run a vaccum and ready to fill I am probably looking at about 3 oz of oil to add back in. Does that sound about right for what I have done so far. If it holds vaccum without a major leak I think I will leave the compressor alone for now. It sounds like the vaccum is a must do though. Thank you for the advice.