Refrigerant Oil: Service and Repair
Filling Oil Air Conditioning (A/C) System
Special tools: 981 1994-4
Note! The illustrations in this service information are used for different model years and / or models. Some variation may occur. However, the essential information in the illustrations is always correct.
Topping up the lubricating oil
Warning! Do not mix oil types. Always use the correct type of compressor oil.
Note! Too much lubricating oil will impair cooling. Too little lubricating oil will damage the compressor.
The oil must be topped UP when repairing a leak or when replacing a component. The quantity required for the component in question will depend on whether leakage has taken place slowly or quickly.
Slow leakage (longer than 24 hours) With a slow leak, there is normally minimal risk of oil loss.
When installing new components the following procedures apply;
When replacing components the new components or the system (which should be filled through the service valve) must have the oil volumes given below, except for the compressor (see the "Compressor" section below):
Accumulator 90 cm3
Evaporator 40 cm3
Condenser 30 cm3
Tube 10 cm3
Hose 10 cm3
Compressor
Preparatory operations for oil return
- Measure the volume of the oil drained from the compressor
- Replace the volume of drained oil see below:
Resusing the compressor
Drained more that 60% of the total oil volume
Replace the volume of drained oil with the corresponding quantity
Drained less that 60% of the oil volume
Fill with 60% of the total oil volume in the system
New Compressor
Drained more that 60% of the total oil volume
108 cm3 - (drained oil volume + 20 cm3)
Drained less that 60% of the oil volume
Fill with 180 cm3 40% - 2m cm3
Caution! When installing a completely new system:
Check that there is oil in the compressor. The other components should contain no oil. Rapid leakage (hose rupture)
Rapid leakage often means that lubricating oil escapes with the refrigerant.
If the hose has ruptured, add 200 cm3.
Replacing the receiver
Replace the receiver in the following instances:
- When replacing the compressor (compressor seizure for example)
- Refrigerant leakage, where nearly 100% has leaked out of the system. (The system has no pressure)
- When replacing any air conditioning (NC) component outside the warranty period.
Filling the A/C system with oil
Note! On newer filling/draining/vacuum pumping stations there is a reservoir for injecting oil. This can be used before filling with refrigerant and after vacuum pumping without needing to remove the needle valve in the service valve.
Note! Fill with oil before vacuum pumping. Filling with PAG oil
When replacing pipes or hoses the oil can be filled through the service valve.
The procedure for topping up PAG oil (P/N 8708581- 7) in the car is as follows:
- Remove the needle valve in the service valve using valve tool 981 1994-4.
Use the filling syringe (without plastic hose) supplied with the unit to top up the oil. Clean the syringe to avoid the possibility of mixing different types of oil.
- Check according to the table above. Measure how much oil is to be added. After topping up the oil, reinstall the needle valve.
Note! Use only your thumb and index finger when tightening the service valve using the valve needle tool 981 19944. This is to prevent damage to the seal for the valve.