how much POG oil to put into AC after condenser replacement

[msaikhan]

Hey all,

I had a hole in my condenser, so i replaced the condenser. How much POG oil do i add? Dealership tried to suck up all the freon but said there wasn't any left because of the hole in the condenser. Haven't used ac during winter, except window defrosting.

[Mr.ac]

Well, since yours had a hole, I would either buy two big bottles of ac recharge. At the local auto parts store. It doesn't take a whole lot but I'm no mechanic. Also they have a cool little filler gauge that tells you if you need more or less

But since you didn't mention any diy or know of said ac refills I would recommend you take it to a pro ac place have them top you off.

[AFRichZC6]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Well, since yours had a hole, I would either buy two big bottles of ac recharge. At the local auto parts store. It doesn't take a whole lot but I'm no mechanic. Also they have a cool little filler gauge that tells you if you need more or less

But since you didn't mention any diy or know of said ac refills I would recommend you take it to a pro ac place have them top you off.

Seems credible. Name checks out.

[msaikhan]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Well, since yours had a hole, I would either buy two big bottles of ac recharge. At the local auto parts store. It doesn't take a whole lot but I'm no mechanic. Also they have a cool little filler gauge that tells you if you need more or less

But since you didn't mention any diy or know of said ac refills I would recommend you take it to a pro ac place have them top you off.

Well, thanks for response, but i already know how much 134a i need. I was asking about the POG oil that needs to be added along with refrigerant.

[projek_01]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Well, since yours had a hole, I would either buy two big bottles of ac recharge. At the local auto parts store. It doesn't take a whole lot but I'm no mechanic. Also they have a cool little filler gauge that tells you if you need more or less

But since you didn't mention any diy or know of said ac refills I would recommend you take it to a pro ac place have them top you off.

They should not sell these refill kits because people usually do not use them correctly. If you need to refill your A/C, you have a leak in your system. That means, properly evacuating the system (not venting it into the atmosphere), finding the leak, fixing it then applying a vacuum to the system for at least an hour.

In the case of the OP, it definitely needs vacuum for a while to draw out any moisture and air inside his system and he knows that.

I have done this a few times but have never found a definite answer because no one really knows. Since you probably lost PAG oil through the following:
1. hole in your condenser releasing all of your refrigerant/vaporized oil.
2. oil physically in your old condenser that you will toss.

My guess is that you probably lost half of the oil in your system. I think it would be more harmful to have too little compared to too much. I'd put 50-70% of the factory fill in the system

[ls1ac]

It is unusual to loose all the oil with a leak, better parts stores sell small cans of oil Freon mix to add some back to the system. The cans say to add one can to a discharged system. The cans come in different colors to match the oil in the system. I am not sure if there is a difference in the oil by color , but I use the same color. If you have a large compressor you can use an air driven vacuum like the one from Harbor freight. You will need a gauge set with three lines to do it properly. A vacuum pump is better but costs a lot more.

[msaikhan]

i got compressor and gauges loaned from autozone.
Got a bottle of r134a and POG 46 (7oz). I'm just gonna go ahead and put half of the bottle.

[projek_01]

You should put the system under vacuum for at least 30 min. The humidity and air in the system right now will cause problems/corrosion later on.

Also any air in the system will overwork the AC pump. Paying ~$100-150 for a A/C recharge is well worth it in my opinion because the machine does a much better job.

[msaikhan]

Originally Posted by projek_01

You should put the system under vacuum for at least 30 min. The humidity and air in the system right now will cause problems/corrosion later on.

Also any air in the system will overwork the AC pump. Paying ~$100-150 for a A/C recharge is well worth it in my opinion because the machine does a much better job.

Yes, i will pull vacuum for 30min or so. I'll just DIY this time, if ac compressor dies in the next year, i'll take it to a shop. I have trust issues after valve spring recall, blew my engine.

[Grady]

Originally Posted by msaikhan

i got compressor and gauges loaned from autozone.
Got a bottle of r134a and POG 46 (7oz). I'm just gonna go ahead and put half of the bottle.

I agree, about 4oz should keep you safe.

[maslin]

I have never put more than 2oz in an AC system. 0.5oz is now the way we go. 4oz is a lot of dye, 2 of the single use bottles.

[ls1ac]

Remember the small cans are a mix of Freon and oil, not all oil. Usually delivered to the system slowly and inverted.

[msaikhan]

Originally Posted by maslin

I have never put more than 2oz in an AC system. 0.5oz is now the way we go. 4oz is a lot of dye, 2 of the single use bottles.

i put in oil not dye.

[msaikhan]

Originally Posted by ls1ac

Remember the small cans are a mix of Freon and oil, not all oil. Usually delivered to the system slowly and inverted.

got a bottle of pog 46 oil only. not a mix of freon and oil.