QuestionQUESTION: I am replacing the AC compressor on my Dodge Stratus (mitisubishi compressor). The new compressor shipped dry and says to add 8oz of oil. Is this added before installation or after the system is vacuumed. The label in the car calls for 15oz of R134. Does the Oil figure into this volume?
ANSWER: Bill,
The compressor oil is added to the compressor prior to installation. You will pour the full amount into the low side port. As you are pouring, you may find it necessary to continually rotate the clutch and pulley while you are doing this. Some shops will tell you to add a couple ounces to the lines and the remainder to the compressor, but this is not necessary. The oil is to lubricate the compressor, nothing else, although it naturally gets carried throughout the rest of the system with the refrigerant.
The 15oz. is strictly the refrigerant. Nothing else figured in. A couple recomendations... 1. of course replace any o-ring or washer seals that came off of the old compressor. 2. Torque Specs are a must. Make sure you put the right amount of torgue on the manifold bolts. This will not only prevent any leaking from this point, but also prevent you from snapping the bolts or the manifold. They are not made as stout as they should be. 3. If you pour out the oil from the old refrigerant and find any metal shavings, make certain you flush the lines and condensor or you will be doing this again in about a year. 4. If your stratus uses an orifice tube, make certain to replace this also. There is a filter/screen on the inlet of this that may have caught some metal shavings in it from your old compressor. 5. When you recharge it, use a refrigerant withthe dye added. This will save a big headache later should it develop a leak.
Thank you for the question, I hope I was of some assistance. If so, please remember to rate this answer. If I can do anything further during this process or in the future, do not hesitate to ask. Thank you again and good luck in everything.
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QUESTION: I have pulled -29 vacuum which has held for 4 hours. Manual is looking for more like 40. Since it is holding vacuum am I correct in assuming the system is OK to charge?
AnswerBill,
I had to respond to this one also in order to remove it from my cue. Allexperts.com counts it against us if we let anything remain in there for too long a period of time.
But to expand a bit more, not too much I promise, on my last response. Yes yo are fine to charge it after it holds for 4 hours. The industry standard is pretty much that it has to hold for 1 hour.
But this does not completely rule out a leak. If one of your lines are leaking from the rubber itself, the negative pressure on the inside actually pulls it in on itself sealing the leak. It will re-arise when there is positive pressure inside the system pushing out on it. But this only happens to pinhole leaks that are in the rubber itself. Changing the compressor, I assume all of your lines were in good shape.
Thank you for the question, I hope I was of some assistance. If so, please remember to rate this answer. If I can do anything further during this process or in the future, do not hesitate to ask. Thank you again and good luck in everything.
