A/C compressor oil
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
A/C compressor oil
I replaced the original A/C compressor on my 2001 because the front seal was leaking. I read in the service manual to dump the oil out of the old compressor, measure, and place that amount of new oil in the new compressor. Not thinking about the oil that had already leaked out I put about 1 once in the new one.
After time that compressor became noisy from lack of oil so I replaced it with another one. This time the parts man told me to put in 6 ounces of oil. In no time this one blew up and self destructed with a big puff of smoke.
Getting ready too put the next one on. How much oil should I put in the compressor?
After time that compressor became noisy from lack of oil so I replaced it with another one. This time the parts man told me to put in 6 ounces of oil. In no time this one blew up and self destructed with a big puff of smoke.
Getting ready too put the next one on. How much oil should I put in the compressor?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 407
From: Horseshoe Bend ID
Typically when you have a catastrophic failure of the compressor, so much debris gets in the system that you have to replace the orifice, condenser and receiver/dryer and then flush the lines and evaporator. You can replace these parts yourself--but seems to me that after two or three failures--it's time to call a pro. Good Luck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Typically when you have a catastrophic failure of the compressor, so much debris gets in the system that you have to replace the orifice, condenser and receiver/dryer and then flush the lines and evaporator. You can replace these parts yourself--but seems to me that after two or three failures--it's time to call a pro. Good Luck
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 8
From: Corpus Christi Tx.
Pac oil
Last edited by ICUALL; Jul 5, 2011 at 10:21 PM. Reason: Sorry for the mistype in the title
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
Trying to fix C5 a/c on the cheap is more expensive then being thorough in the long run. (I know from first hand experience.) Take everything apart, replace the orifice tube, and flush all lines and components. Take out the condenser and pressure wash the gavel out of it. Replace the compressor with a new acdelco unit (not a cheesy rebuild) and follow the pag oil quantities in the manual. You'll keep your cool for many years.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 35
From: Rowlett, Texas
All the advice above is good; if you blew a compressor, then a flush of the complete system is in order. Then drain the new compressor, and add the total manual-designated qty (9 ozs for a 2000, maybe different for a 2001). Even if the screens are perfectly clean, and the compressor oil comes out like new, you still have no idea how much oil is in there, and will put another new unit at risk.
One more comment on oil viscosity. Last year I did a thorough search on C5 AC oils. Seems the v7 compressor originally came with 150 PAG.
Sometime around 2003 GM started using 46 PAG in most of their compressors. They developed a 46 that was compatible with the V7 compressor, and began recommending it as suitable for earlier replacement units. However, they stressed it was "special" and aftermarket 46 should not be used. So, the recommendation for a replacement compressor with any oil other than the "special" GM oil is still 150 PAG.
Disclaimer: I went through 3 New AC Delco made-in-Korea compressors before I got one that ran quietly. So, I better not offer too much advice.
DG
One more comment on oil viscosity. Last year I did a thorough search on C5 AC oils. Seems the v7 compressor originally came with 150 PAG.
Sometime around 2003 GM started using 46 PAG in most of their compressors. They developed a 46 that was compatible with the V7 compressor, and began recommending it as suitable for earlier replacement units. However, they stressed it was "special" and aftermarket 46 should not be used. So, the recommendation for a replacement compressor with any oil other than the "special" GM oil is still 150 PAG.
Disclaimer: I went through 3 New AC Delco made-in-Korea compressors before I got one that ran quietly. So, I better not offer too much advice.
DG
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Add all the oil to the compressor or add it to the accumulator, condenser, etc?
I thought the fact that I added 6 ounces to the compressor was what made it go.
I just ordered the flush kit to clean it all out.
I thought the fact that I added 6 ounces to the compressor was what made it go.
I just ordered the flush kit to clean it all out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
From RoccoC5's ac compressor replacement write up:
"If you measure less than 2.5oz, put 2.5oz of clean oil into the new
compressor. If there is more than 2.5oz, put the same amount into the new compressor."
"If you measure less than 2.5oz, put 2.5oz of clean oil into the new
compressor. If there is more than 2.5oz, put the same amount into the new compressor."
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
The nice folks at GM say to add the oil in specific quantities to each of the major components so the compressor won't gag on pag
. A compressor is not designed to handle an incompressible fluid (like a large shot of pag oil). That's why I recommended flushing everything. Not just to remove debris but to also remove the old oil so you know exactly how much oil is in each location. Having the liquid oil distributed in the various components gives it time to break up and evenly mix into solution with the refrigerant and not load up the compressor.Rocco's write-up rocks! I followed his process to the letter (and the GM manual) and my a/c has run perfect for many years.... and I live in Central Texas.
If you think you know where to cut some corners to save some time and money that's the wrong attitude when it comes to a/c. You have to do everything EXACT or take it to a pro that stands behind his work!
Last edited by Cratecruncher; Jul 6, 2011 at 06:26 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 35
From: Rowlett, Texas
Sorry for late reply: my comment was to add 9 oz total to the system, in the various locations referenced in the manual. As stated in an above thread the manual says to add no more to the compressor than came out.
However, in the real world, the oil circulates thru the system, so I would think that if you put the oil in anywhere and the compressor wasn't seized when you turned it over a few times by hand, then probably no problem. But, if you have it all apart, might as well do it exactly per the manual.
You probably have completed the job by now, hope it worked well.
dG
However, in the real world, the oil circulates thru the system, so I would think that if you put the oil in anywhere and the compressor wasn't seized when you turned it over a few times by hand, then probably no problem. But, if you have it all apart, might as well do it exactly per the manual.
You probably have completed the job by now, hope it worked well.
dG
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Haven't even started.... Too hot.
I bought the flush kit and a new dryer. I'll clean the system out when I take it apart.
I bought the flush kit and a new dryer. I'll clean the system out when I take it apart.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Man I just went through Hades with my A/C unit. A long convoluted journey through misery, ignorance, stupidity, and about a case load of freon cans, a hardware stores worth of brass fittings(don't ask) A/C guages, vacuum pump, and now it's blowing icecicles through the vents! RELIEF! And the crazy thing is I still don't know how I did it!!!!
Lesson....Take it to someone that knows what they are doing.
Air compressor oil - PAG 150
Lesson....Take it to someone that knows what they are doing.
Air compressor oil - PAG 150
