Is A/C Oil Acidic?
Thread Starter
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Is A/C Oil Acidic?
Someone told me that the mineral oil that is mixed with the R12 Freon in the OEM A/C systems can turn acidic as it gets older. Is this true? If so, how do you neutralize it if it gets on something?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
When exposed to moisture yes - that's why there's an Accumulator/Dryer. When it was built, they didn't stop the line for 20 minutes to see if it held a vacuum. It's a suck and dump operation and good enough on most cars for maybe 5 years to 10 years; at least past the warranty.
Getting it on the hood - such as when the shaft seal is shot - may do some damage; but most of what happens occurs internally and most of the time, the moisture gets in through improper recharging.
Getting it on the hood - such as when the shaft seal is shot - may do some damage; but most of what happens occurs internally and most of the time, the moisture gets in through improper recharging.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 126
From: S.L.C. UT
When exposed to moisture yes - that's why there's an Accumulator/Dryer. When it was built, they didn't stop the line for 20 minutes to see if it held a vacuum. It's a suck and dump operation and good enough on most cars for maybe 5 years to 10 years; at least past the warranty.
Getting it on the hood - such as when the shaft seal is shot - may do some damage; but most of what happens occurs internally and most of the time, the moisture gets in through improper recharging.
Getting it on the hood - such as when the shaft seal is shot - may do some damage; but most of what happens occurs internally and most of the time, the moisture gets in through improper recharging.
Moisture in a R12 system will create hydrafluoric acid, which is very corrisive. As mentioned the accumulator/dryer is there to absorb moisture that might get in the system. By the way if a ac system is open for more than about 8 hours, the receiver dryer or accumulator will be junk since it has absorbed all the moisture it can that is in the air.And that is why you should have the system evacuated if it has been opened up or the system has gone to zero pressure.
Last edited by tpi 421 vette; Jun 10, 2010 at 12:47 AM.
