A/C Compressor Oil?

[projektvertx]

So I was chatting with a co-worker who dropped his car off for A/C service this morning, and he was telling me something about A/C compressor oil. I told him I had never heard of such a thing, and I've never read anything about an a/c compressor needing new oil or anything of the likes. I decided to step back into the lab with him and I ran a quick search for my car and here is what I found for my car:

http://www.drivewire.com/search/?Ntt...e&t_event=true

Apparently, it does exist. Now my question is the following: Should I consider paying up for this stuff? Is there any way I can change this "a/c compressor oil"? I'm kinda skeptical about all of this....

[AliRazoR]

No need to change compressor oil

[chronoti]

does your a/c work? yes? then no. it's a sealed system with a filter it never needs to be changed unless your compressor murders it self and the oil is now filled with metal shaving (my dads ford did that) or you own a ford where the teflon coating inside the compressor flakes off and screws the oil (ford has fixed the problem by stop using teflon).

point is only reason we really ever change the oil in our cars is because we have blow by from the compression chambers where the smaller hydrocarbon chain helps break down the oil (and then that break down is sucked out through the pcv), and dirt gets in the system from holes like the filler cap, oil dip stick, pcv system.

i think i'm still drunk... but ya scam to go change compressor oil.

oh when you do buy a new compressor they are shipped fill with oil that needs to be drained and then refilled to the proper level per fsm specs(auto only home (electric) units are pre oiled but to the correct amount)

[MR2Jedi]

You'll only need the compressor oil if your A/C compressor lost all it's freon or you are installing a new compressor.
I replaced the compressor in my MR2 last summer. The compressor came with a bottle of oil.

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by chronoti

does your a/c work? yes? then no. it's a sealed system with a filter it never needs to be changed unless your compressor murders it self and the oil is now filled with metal shaving (my dads ford did that) or you own a ford where the teflon coating inside the compressor flakes off and screws the oil (ford has fixed the problem by stop using teflon).

point is only reason we really ever change the oil in our cars is because we have blow by from the compression chambers where the smaller hydrocarbon chain helps break down the oil (and then that break down is sucked out through the pcv), and dirt gets in the system from holes like the filler cap, oil dip stick, pcv system.

i think i'm still drunk... but ya scam to go change compressor oil.

oh when you do buy a new compressor they are shipped fill with oil that needs to be drained and then refilled to the proper level per fsm specs(auto only home (electric) units are pre oiled but to the correct amount)

Originally Posted by MR2Jedi

You'll only need the compressor oil if your A/C compressor lost all it's freon or you are installing a new compressor.
I replaced the compressor in my MR2 last summer. The compressor came with a bottle of oil.

Thanks for the clarification guys I knew there was a good reason why I was skeptical of what he was telling me! He was trying to convince me that because my car had so many miles, I should consider getting the compressor oil changed, and I pretty much said what chronoti said. My A/C is working and blows ice cold air. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[MR2Jedi]

Originally Posted by projektvertx

My A/C is working and blows ice cold air. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Exactly!

[fenixus]

as guys say, if it works forget it. you only need a can of a/c compressor oil when you emptied the system (including oil).

on a side note, when shops do a/c vacuum service the machine sucks out the gas only leaving oil in. however when you release the gas yourself through the fill valve it will likely loose freon together with oil (same happens if you have a major leak).

cheers.

[93celicaconv]

There is a fixed amount of oil in A/C systems. Leaks in the A/C system, when the A/C system is running, will also discharge a small amount of oil. Typically no need to add oil unless one recharges the A/C system once or twice every year and never has the leak repaired. Eventually, the leak will take out too much oil and there will not be enough in the system. Also, if a major part (beside the compressor) is removed, like the condenser, evaporator, receiver/dryer, accumulator, etc., is removed and replaced, these items hold small amounts of the systems total oil supply. A supplemental oil addition should be made when these major pieces are replaced in an A/C system.