997.1 Aircon Renovation - Oil Question

[JulesInFrance]

Hi All.

I have a failed aircon compressor and am about to start renewal of the necessary parts: new compressor, new condensers, new dryer, new expansion valve, etc, together with flushing of all lines. I have all the necessary parts and equipment (e.g. flushing stuff, vacuum pump, etc) but have a question regarding how to re-oil the system upon reconstruction.

I watched a very informative video from Repair Geek on you tube (https://youtu.be/N_msH6TX2W4) which says that you need to add the correct amount of oil in various parts of the system.
However, my new Denso compressor, which is pre-filled with exactly the right amount of oil) has instructions which say do not empty the compressor (and therefore I guess do not redistribute oil around the system), just start the air con after gassing on full with revs at idle for 5 mins.
Note that both sets of instructions include the very important manual turning of the compressor before starting up to prevent hydro lock.

So my question is, which advice do I follow: 1) Repair Geek who says put the oil in the different parts of the system or 2) Denso, who say do not do that, just run it on idle?

Many thanks in advance.
Jules

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Jules,

Unfortunately I don’t have a definitive answer to your question, but during assembly of your car - or any car for that matter - I can’t see oil being added to the individual components of the a/c system, so surely the compressor would have come ready-filled with the correct quantity of oil?

I think that I’d be more inclined to follow Denso’s instructions … they’re the manufacturer after all, and the compressor is the only part of the system requiring lubrication. Maybe I’m missing something, but I can’t really see the advantage of distributing oil throughout the system.

Just my tuppence worth of course.[]

Jeff

 

[JulesInFrance]

Hi Jeff.

Sound. solid advice, as always. Thanks so much.

Jules

 

[JulesInFrance]

Hi.

Just to finish this for anyone who is interested, I followed the instructions in the compressor guide and the excellent advice from Jeff here (thanks again). Before refitting the air box, I manually turned the compressor about 30 full turns, just to make sure the oil was not all still sitting in the compressor to help avoid initial hydro lock. Started the engine and waited until low idle after initial start, temp to LO, fan to max, the aircon on for 5 mins (I did 10 to be sure) without increasing engine revs. Note you need at least some gas in the system at this point (I had inserted one can of Duracool 12a) otherwise pressure sensor will not register enough gas and compressor will not engage.

Result = nice cold air!

Thanks and regards,
Jules