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Old Sep 9, 2012 | 04:44 PM
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I have a 77 L-48 with original R4 compressor a/c system that has been converted to 134A by Previous owner.
If I needed to add oil to the system via a charge can, which oil would you use?
I don't know what is in there now PAG or Ester. If it is PAG I don't know if it is 46 or 100 or 150 wt oil.
Would something like this oil be appropriate?

http://www.supercool.ac/products/aut...l-charge-3-oz/

Or would I be better off using this?

http://compare.ebay.com/like/4000387...Types&var=sbar

Neither one of these oils state what wt they are. So, is that not important?
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Old Sep 9, 2012 | 06:24 PM
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Do you have a leak? Why are you trying to add oil?
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Old Sep 10, 2012 | 11:15 AM
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Don't have a leak right now. With a leak freon will be lost and some oil loss is also likely depending on where and how bad the leak is. In that case which oil would be the better option?
Not wanting to discharge, flush and vacuum down and recharge a system just to replace 1 or 2 ounces of proper oil. It seems that one of the two mentioned oils would be an easier and far cheaper option. I'm guessing I'm not the only one who may be wondering.
In my other vehicles where 134a was the original system it's easy to find which PAG oil to use should I need it, but in this case I'm not sure. So I thought someone who knows a lot about a/c might have an idea which way to go.
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Old Sep 10, 2012 | 03:51 PM
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Did the previous owner make the conversion to R134a? If so, can you contact him/her and see what was used?

It is my understanding the older ester oil is not compatible with R134a, hence the use of PAG during conversions.

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Old Sep 10, 2012 | 04:36 PM
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excellent
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Old Sep 10, 2012 | 04:57 PM
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It is my understanding the older ester oil is not compatible with R134a, hence the use of PAG during conversions.
I think mineral oil is the non 134A compatible oil and ester oil is compatible with R12 and 134A. This ester is stated to be usable in 134A systems.
http://www.supercool.ac/products/aut...l-charge-3-oz/

This one claims to be a pag oil compatible with mineral, ester, and pag oils.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FJC-R134a-Un...rue#vi-content

Neither of these products address the viscosity of the oil though. so why not? why is it important in my 134A PAG only systems, but for universal oil not mentioned?
The previous owner did not do the conversion himself, he knows nothing about it.
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Old Sep 10, 2012 | 07:59 PM
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GM used the heavier viscosity, PAG150

Neal
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Old Sep 10, 2012 | 08:33 PM
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A little on A/C oil. http://blog.acprocold.com/pagoil.
I used POE in retro fits in the early days when not changing the compressor, it allowed a little mineral oil to mix with the POE. PAG will not mix well with mineral oil, and will rapidly attract water, causing a sludge to form.

Last edited by bpassmore; Sep 10, 2012 at 08:37 PM.
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Old Sep 10, 2012 | 09:54 PM
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GM used the heavier viscosity, PAG150
That is good info. I did find some references today that confirmed that 150 is the correct PAG oil viscosity for the Delphi R4 compressor. If you flush the system and are really sure all mineral oil is gone I guess you could then use the pag oil.
I also found today that the ester oils are rated at a viscosity of 100wt.

If I had to guess I would probably bet that the conversion was done with ester oil and the hoses were not replaced. (they look old) and that would mean that a 100wt oil is in the system.
I does work well in any case.
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 12:30 PM
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I used POE in retro fits in the early days when not changing the compressor, it allowed a little mineral oil to mix with the POE.
Thanks bpassmore that is probably the oil I'll chose when the time comes.
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