In a 1985 diesel factory A/C that is converted to R134a, which oil and how much for a completely flushed and empty system ??


Thank you for reading.

 

Does it use PAG or ESTER ??


Thanks for reading.

 

It depends on how it was converted. If they used one of the conversion kits with the oil and the freon all in the same cans, then it's probably ester oil.

If they flushed the system, changed the accumulator, drained the compressor, and then poured PAG in it, then it needs PAG.

Most people used the oil freon mix which would be the ester. It's compatible with the old r12 oil already in the system, so you just stick it in and go. I guess "compatible" is the correct word. It's more like they "play nice" together or "co-habitat" without harming the ester's oiling function. I believe the old r12 oil and the PAG do not like each other, thus it has to be flushed to use it.

Sorry, that's all I know to tell you. I know, you still don't know what you have. I would say if you still have the old accumulator on it, then it's probably got ester in it. Why do you want to know? If you put too much oil in the system, it won't cool as well as it should.

 

The accumulator was replaced a couple years ago when a leaking hose had to be replaced.

As I have exhausted all other possibles causing my poor A/C performance, I am opening up everything, thoroughly flushing lines and evaporator, new accumulator, new variable orifice valve, shiny new condensor, and new O-rings on all disturbed connections.

Seeing as everything will be flushed out, I figure I had better put something back in.

I have many many cans of plain old R134a and would rather use them than buy the stuff with oil included.

Thanks for replying.

 

Did you get to the bottom of this?

I am basically at the same point as you, empty system, new components except lines and compressor.

I believe the truck ran R12 before i tore everything apart. I assume there is R12 or oil remnant in the compressor.

I will go R134a, just dont know what to do excatly.

 

Sort of....

In the "stickies" above, I found a TECH article hidden within a thread about R134a conversion; Archion or somesuch was the writer's handle.

As best I could surmise, my 1985 with R134a requires 8-oz of pour-in UNIVERSAL PAG or low-viscosity PAG 46.

My little mud-hole town did not have the universal and I got the ONLY bottle of the PAG 46.

He recommended that the bottle be split between three locations, pouring 1/3 in the evaporator, 1/3 in the condensor, and 1/3 in the compressor.


Good solid knowledgable A/C information is hard to find; I believe that Archion guy knows what he is talking about.


I am still gathering parts; a new condensor, variable orifice, accumulator, and seal kit all arrived today from four different sources.

The cheapest R134a in town is $14.97/12-oz can; I ordered a dozen cans delivered for $58 = less than $5/can

No wonder Amazon is putting the squeeze on local businesses; the local businesses have put the squeeze on customers for the last fifty years, now the shoe is on the other foot.

As soon as it quits coming these monsoons, I will get this project underway.

Thanks for reading.

 

I will be going at this next week

 

Here's some info on the oil from the factory manual. This is from the 96 I just worked on, which came with r134a from the factory. It seems very similiar to the specs you mentioned finding in a previous post, so I am going to say the later trucks that came with the r134a from the factory are a good pattern to go by when converting the older trucks.


Subarticles

Other Refrigerant System Components

Section 12-00: Climate Control System, Service

1996 Bronco/F-Series Workshop Manual
SERVICE PROCEDURES

Procedure revision date: 06/29/2000
Refrigerant Oil Addition


The FS-10 A/C compressor (19703) uses a unique high-quality refrigerant oil (F2AZ-19577-AC), Motorcraft Part Number YN-12B or an equivalent refrigerant oil meeting Ford specification WSH-M1C231-B. It is extremely important that only the specified type and quantity of refrigerant oil be used in the FS-10 A/C compressor. If there is a surplus of oil in the system, it will circulate with the refrigerant, reducing the cooling capacity of the system. Using too little oil or oil not meeting the Ford specification will result in poor lubrication of the A/C compressor.

When replacing a component of the refrigerant system, the procedures in this section must be followed to ensure that the total oil charge in the system is correct after the new part is installed.

When the A/C compressor is operated, oil gradually leaves the A/C compressor and is circulated through the system with the refrigerant. Eventually, a balanced condition is reached in which a certain amount of oil is retained in the A/C compressor and a certain amount is continually circulated. If a component of the system is removed after the system has been operated, some oil will go with it. To maintain the original total oil charge, add oil as required to the new replacement part.

The procedures for replacing oil are as follows:

During A/C Compressor Replacement

NOTE: The suction accumulator/drier (19C836) and orifice tube should also be replaced when the A/C compressor is replaced.

A new service replacement FS-10 A/C compressor contains no refrigerant oil. Prior to installing the replacement A/C compressor, drain the refrigerant oil from the removed A/C compressor into a calibrated container. The shaft should be rotated about six to eight revolutions while pouring the oil from the ports. This effectively empties the A/C compressor of oil.

Obtain a clean container that can also be used as a measuring device.

Place the disc and hub assembly on the compressor shaft so the shaft can be rotated.
If the amount of oil drained from the old A/C compressor was between 85 and 142 ml (3 and 5 oz.), pour the same amount plus one ounce of clean Motorcraft YN-12B refrigerant oil into the new A/C compressor.
If the amount of oil that was removed from the old A/C compressor is greater than 142 ml (5 oz.), pour 142 ml (5 oz.) of clean Motorcraft YN-12B refrigerant oil into the new A/C compressor.
If the amount of refrigerant oil that was removed from the old A/C compressor is less than 85 ml (3 oz.), pour 85 ml (3 oz.) of clean Motorcraft YN-12B refrigerant oil into the new A/C compressor.

R-134a Refrigerant Oil

CAUTION: Do not add R-12 refrigerant oil YN-9 to an R-134a system. Also, do not add R-134a refrigerant YN-12B to an R-12 system. These two refrigerant oils are not compatible and mixing the two could result in A/C system damage.

The refrigerant oil used in an R-134a refrigerant system is a polyalkylene glycol (PAG) oil meeting Ford specification WSH-M1C231-B or equivalent. This type of refrigerant oil, Motorcraft YN-12B, was made especially for R-134a A/C systems and is not suitable for use in R-12 systems. Never use an R-134a refrigerant oil in an R-12 system.

R-12 systems require the use of a mineral-based refrigerant oil with special additives. This refrigerant oil is known as YN-9. This refrigerant oil was developed for use in R-12 systems only and is not suitable for use in R-134a A/C systems.

During Component Replacement

When replacing other components of the air conditioning system, measured quantities of the specified refrigerant oil should be added to the component to ensure that the total oil charge in the system is correct before the system is operated.

Clean refrigerant oil should be poured directly into the replacement components as follows:

A/C evaporator core (19860) (19860): add 90 ml (3 oz.).
A/C condenser core (19712) (19712): add 30 ml (1 oz.).
Accumulator: drain oil from removed suction accumulator/drier. Add same amount plus 60 ml (2 oz.) of clean refrigerant oil to new accumulator.



Other Refrigerant System Components

If any other component such as an A/C evaporator core orifice (19D990) or a hose is replaced, 59 ml (2 oz) additional refrigerant oil is necessary unless a hose bursts with a fully charged system. Then, the addition of refrigerant oil will be necessary with the amount to be determined by the technician. The suction accumulator/drier should also be replaced under these circumstances.

 

Thank you, Mr Franklin2.

I filed that with my other A/C documents.