What is the Function of Automotive Refrigeration Oil?
2 Answers
Refrigeration oil primarily serves four functions: lubrication, sealing, cooling, and energy regulation. Here are the detailed explanations: 1. Lubrication: Refrigeration oil lubricates the compressor during operation, reducing friction and wear, thereby extending the compressor's service life. 2. Sealing: Refrigeration oil acts as a sealant in the compressor, ensuring tight seals between the piston and cylinder walls, as well as between rotating bearings, to prevent refrigerant leakage. 3. Cooling: While lubricating the moving parts of the compressor, refrigeration oil dissipates the heat generated during operation, maintaining lower temperatures for these components. This enhances the compressor's efficiency and operational reliability.
Having driven trucks for over 20 years, I've found that refrigeration oil is absolutely critical for car air conditioning. Simply put, it's like the lifeblood of the compressor - circulating through the AC system to lubricate pistons and bearings, preventing seizure and wear of compressor components. Whether blowing hot air in winter or cold air in summer, a compressor running low on oil is like an unlubricated chain - it'll grind and screech until complete failure. Moreover, it helps seal the refrigerant; leaks not only stop cooling but can cost thousands to repair. Learned this the hard way myself - now I change the refrigeration oil every two years, and my AC has never given me trouble since.
