Need educating

by "PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
Published 06/12/2017 at 09:25

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Hey all.

I need a little bit of education. AC compressor need to be replaced in C5 Corvette. Other than having to remove bunch of stuff like water pump, getting the compressor out is not an issue.

I have a neighbor with an AC machine that can evacuate the system. He can also re-charge it.

The question is with oil. What does it all mean? Repair manual says I need to measure how much oil I drain out of the old compressor etc.

Besides the compressor, is oil someplace else in the system? If I got a compressor that is pre-oiled, do I need to add more oil?

Replies (3)

"Nibby" (nibby68)
06/12/2017 at 09:28, STARS: 1

"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
06/12/2017 at 09:47, STARS: 0

To answer your last question - yes, there is oil traveling through the system at all times. The oil you drain out plus the amount that’s in the system elsewhere should equal the total amount that’s supposed to be in there. It’s possible for the amount elsewhere in the system to vary, hence why they want you to check.

All of the above is meaningless if the system blows (or is blown) in such a way that a lot of oil sprays out. If it’s a really good A/C machine, it will capture any oil that finds its way out. If the compressor comes pre-filled with oil, you’ll actually end up with a little too much oil in the system, but that’s probably not going to kill you. If the compressor just has *some* oil, it would be different, but I don’t know how they’re sold.

A C5 should have come with factory R134, so there shouldn’t be any weirdness with oil type - systems that have been converted have oil weirdness because the oil has to be compatible with old R12-compatible oils in the system. Just use the oil recommended and you should be fine.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/12/2017 at 10:33, STARS: 0

I have no problem using the recommended oil. I am puzzled by how much oil do I need to add if the compressor comes pre-oiled. From your answer, it sounds like none. I am ok with that. I just don’t want to make it a habit buying new compressors every weekend.