How to Add Refrigerant Oil?
2 Answers
Methods for adding refrigerant oil to automotive air conditioning compressors: 1. Direct Pouring Method: Simply pour the refrigerant oil directly into the compressor through the filler port, which is very convenient. 2. Vacuum Suction Method: (1) Evacuation: Use a specialized vacuum tool to remove air from the air conditioning system. (2) Negative Pressure Suction: After evacuating the air from the system, utilize negative pressure to draw the refrigerant oil into the compressor through a yellow hose. (3) Refrigerant Charging: Once the refrigerant oil is completely drawn into the compressor, the oil addition process is complete, and you can then proceed to directly charge the system with refrigerant.
I've been driving for over 20 years and have added refrigerant oil myself a few times. If the car's AC isn't cooling well, it might be out of refrigerant oil. I first check the pipes for oil stains to confirm a leak before taking action. You'll need an oil injection gun and adapter - PAG oil can be bought at auto shops or online. The actual process is simple: locate the AC low-pressure port in the engine bay, clean it, connect the tool and slowly inject the specified amount (your car's manual or label shows the milliliters - my old car usually takes about 30ml). It's best to keep the engine running with AC in AUTO mode during injection to distribute the oil evenly. But be warned - adding too much or too little oil can cause compressor noise or premature failure. I once overfilled mine and the cleanup was troublesome, so now I let professionals vacuum and refill it properly. Newer car designs are more complex, making DIY risky - safety first.
