What happens if too much refrigeration oil is added?
2 Answers
Excessive refrigeration oil hinders heat exchange. When the amount of refrigeration oil is too much to be carried back to the compressor by the refrigerant vapor, the excess oil will adhere to the evaporator and related pipe walls, forming a certain thermal resistance. Below is a related introduction about car air conditioning maintenance: Regularly check the refrigerant and refrigeration oil: Since the refrigerant used in modern cars has strong permeability, even a well-functioning refrigeration system may experience insufficient refrigerant due to long-term use, leading to reduced cooling performance. 2. Clean the condenser surface: The cooling efficiency of the air conditioning system is also related to the cleanliness of the condenser's cooling fins. Dust, insects, and other debris covering the condenser surface can reduce heat dissipation efficiency.
During automotive air conditioning repairs, adding too much refrigeration oil can cause significant trouble. Refrigeration oil is used to lubricate the compressor, but excessive amounts can displace refrigerant space, overloading the compressor. I've seen many car owners add too much themselves, resulting in drastically reduced cooling performance—cars take forever to cool down in summer. The compressor may overheat due to insufficient lubrication, producing a humming noise, and prolonged operation like this can even cause parts to seize or burn out. Repairs involve not only removing excess oil but also recharging refrigerant, incurring additional costs. Worse, too much oil can increase system pressure, leading to seal aging and leaks. Always refer to the vehicle manual for the standard oil quantity before adding—don't rely on guesswork. For regular maintenance, have a professional technician use specialized tools for inspection to avoid major repairs later.
