I installed a new AC compressor and then relized I didn't put oil in it. Is there anyway to get oil into the compressor with out pulling it back off the car?

 

I've always heard that the oil can be added anywhere, and will circulate with the freon and settle in the compressor.
However, I've not tried it that way; maybe I should, my last two replacement compressors have had problems.
If you add the oil to a convenient line fitting, maybe the low pressure fitting or the drier connection, it would be wise to turn the compressor over by hand a bit, to avoid possible hydrolock of the compressor valves.

DG

 

If it's brand new it will have some but not much. Go to your autoparts store and look where the AC stuff is, freon, gauges, etc. They should have some pressurized cans of PAG oil 8-12oz. Make sure it's PAG NOT MINERAL OIL! Mineral oil is for the good old stuff not the new R-134. They may have different weights of oil so ask them on that part. Can't remember off hand.

 

It really is best to add the oil directly to the system components.

2 oz to condenser, 2 oz to dryer, 3 oz+ to the compressor suction (low) side.

The bottle I bought was 7+1 meaning 7 ounces of PAG oil + 1 ounce of "treatment"

I'm not sure whether the C5 compressor takes PAG 100 or PAG 46, they are different viscosity.

The problem with sucking in the oil charge is that the compressor will be running to suck it in and it will be running without oil. Would you run your engine while filling it back up with oil?

You are looking at wasting $30 worth of freon to do it right vs a very expensive compressor if it doesn't work out.

Empty it out, add the oil as above, then pull a good vacuum for 20-30 minutes to boil out all the moisture. Make sure you also have a vacuum on the hose coming from the gauges. You won't be able to pull a vacuum on the service line (the one you are vacuuming from and will add freon through), but you can bleed out the air by cracking the line after you connect the freon to it and pressurize it. Open the low side dial and the vacuum will pull most of the first can of 134 into the system. Set the can in warm water to drive the rest of it into the system. Then start the car and turn on the AC. Have someone hold it at 1500 RPM while you add more 134 until the pressures show right on the gauges. When you get close to the right pressure you may have to connect the high side gauge to get it exactly right. The correct pressures depend on ambient temp.

 

i would not run the ac without oil in the compressor first. even if u add oil to the system, it will take time to reach the compressor. When you just add oil to the system and start the ac, that first minute or so it's running, the compressor has no lubrication, which is absolutely horrible for it. just a few minutes without lubrication would be like a lifetime of wear with lubrication. thats my opinion at least.

then again, i dont know how long it takes the oil to reach the compressor. i am merely guessing it will take about 1 minute. it could be 10 seconds. regardless, i would not risk even running the compressor for 10 seconds without lubrication.

ive seen piston pumps that are lubricated but the oil was too thin. after just 30 seconds of running, the swash plate was completely scored, and the pump was useless. an ac compressor is basically a piston pump.

 

Jed & Saber, I'm going to take your advice and bit the buillet and pull the compressor back off and add the oil. Your both right about the compressor will be running dry while it's sucking the oil in and that ain't good. Thnaks alot, y'all busy this weekend?? LOL

 

If you filled out your profile information, we would know where you are from. If you really need some help, I'm sure there are plenty of forum members close to your area that would be willing to help you out.