AC compressor oil

[OrrieG]

Sanden SD-508. had to change the rear head and found it only has assembly oil in it. It just came in a box, no instructions. Know it was new, still was charged with nitrogen when I pulled the caps. Got my dryer from VA. I am getting conflicting information online about compressor oil. Some say 6 oz in the compressor, another place says 4 oz in the compressor plus 2 oz in the filter.

Any recommendations from those that have done it???

[_Ogre]

ask rob at va, i don't remember adding any other oil than what was in the compressor
i do know that you can not freon charge it without a machine
i tried with cans only like i would any oem ac system, even with a vacuum pump
it did not work, even with trying to figure out the oz needed
luckily i have a friend with the machine

[OrrieG]

Humm, there a quite a few videos on Youtube of guys charging new VA systems just using a vacuum pump and hose set....I'll give Rob a call on Monday if still confused.

[OrrieG]

Mod - just kill this, I just found I was sold an R12 compressor in a R134a box. got it years ago and company is out of business (surprise). So back to getting the right compressor.....I hate crooks.....

[OrrieG]

Went back out and using a small rachet on the pulley nut it turn just fine, suspect sitting in sub freezing temperatures plus arthritic hands might have something to do with it. Going to change out the oil per Sanden recommendation for converting and see what happens.

[mr48chev]

Just curious, what is the difference between a R12 compressor and a R34 compressor? Seals or ?

Did some hunting and found my own answer. Compressor oil is different and there are a couple of other differences.

You might find this of use: http://www.sanden.com/productlibrary...uide_rev_2.pdf

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

ask rob at va, i don't remember adding any other oil than what was in the compressor
i do know that you can not freon charge it without a machine
i tried with cans only like i would any oem ac system, even with a vacuum pump
it did not work, even with trying to figure out the oz needed
luckily i have a friend with the machine

Ogre, I didn't have any trouble charging mine. I do have a vacuum pump and pulled a vacuum on it before charging it. Instructions said 28 Oz of 134 so I knew exactly how much to put in.

[_Ogre]

all i know is using the cans it never cooled, when i called rob he suggested the using a machine
i don't think ogres and technical stuff go well together

[OrrieG]

Thanks guys, mr48 I looked at that link, especially the section on converting r12 to r134a. I also communicated with a guy that sells a lot of universal r12/134 compressors on Ebay. 189 sold and no negative feedback, he said only three had problems with draining the mineral oil and adding the PAG and those were on systems were the whole system was r12 and suspected they had not flushed the systems. He also said his discussions with Sanden who said a little residual is not an issue, most problems are with complete r12 system conversions. All of my stuff is r134 and new, evap unit flushed. I've decided that if I can't sell the R12 compressor before it get 78 degrees (recommended temp for pulling the vacuum.) I will just change out the fluid and see how it goes.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

all i know is using the cans it never cooled, when i called rob he suggested the using a machine
i don't think ogres and technical stuff go well together

From what I have been reading and seeing on youtube it might have been introducing a little air into the system between pulling the vacuum and charging. Common issue is not purging the line from the can to gauges when switching from vac to charge. I used to do my old r12 systems all the time using cans without any issues.