AC Question

[avim]

Al,
Is this a converted system or did it started life as a 134A system?

This my suggestions:
Vacuum the whole system completely for at least an hour or so
Add the correct amount of 134A
Add ESTHER oil NOT PAG oil via a charged canister, you can buy them as just
oil or 134A with oil

The above should work for you just fine; you should have never bothered with
adding oil through the hose, too slow!
You could also add oil using an injection syringe from the low-pressure
side; either ways would work just fine!

As a rule most compressors COME recharged with oil for the whole system,
very few come dry.  You don't want the compressor to start running DRY!

Try it and let me know,

Take care,
Avi
www.ultranator.com




-----Original Message-----
From: quattro-admin at audifans.com [mailto:quattro-admin at audifans.com]On
Behalf Of Al Powell
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2003 6:26 PM
To: quattro at audifans.com
Subject: AC Question

I have replaced the AC system on a 1993 Audi 90 Quattro. I'm using a
used-guaranteed compressor, and replacing dryer and orifice valve.  The
system has been vacuumed and flushed.

My mistake is that the compressor didn't come with PAG oil in it and I
didn't think of this until it had been mounted.  The Audi manual says that
at least 2.7 oz of PAG oil must be in the compressor before charging, and
the total charge is 8.5 oz.

I have been adding oil to the compressor by pulling off the hoses and
carefully adding oil from a squeeze bottle, but have only been able to add 1
oz...which is not enough to start it with.  What to do?

Well, turns out that the configuration of this system is such that I can
pour the remaining PAG oil into the hose which runs between the dryer and
the compressor, and it would flow down to the compressor. This hose is also
the RETURN to the compressor after the refrigerant has gone through the
whole system. Therefore, the oil should be sucked into the compressor
immediately on startup, as it's in the return path. Seems to me that this
would provide the needed lubrication.

My question: would this work to lubricate the compressor, or do I need to
pull it off and fully charge it with oil - much of which is going to leak
out while I mount it? I talked with an AC company today and they tell me it
will be OK, so I'm going ahead with it.  Thought I'd share it in case it
helps anyone else.

If it blows up, I'll let you all know.  I'm having the system charged
tomorrow.
************************
Al Powell
Fort Collins, CO
apowell at gocougs.wsu.edu

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we
are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and
servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." Theodore
Roosevelt, 1918, during WWI.
************************