Changing the oil in the car air conditioning compressor: checking, filling and choosing oil
Content
Circulating in the freon circuit, the oil for the car air conditioner compressor performs a predictable mission, lubricating and cooling the rubbing parts of the mechanism. At the same time, it collects the smallest particles of metal chips, wear products. The polluted substance moves with difficulty, slows down the operation of the cooling system, up to a complete failure.
As long as the air conditioner is working properly, you do not notice it. But one day at the most inopportune moment in the middle of summer, the system fails. And it turns out that the car unit was not serviced, the oil in the air conditioning compressor was not changed. In order to prevent such situations, it is important to know what liquid needs to be poured into the assembly, what is the replacement time.
Why and when an oil change is required
Automotive climate technology is a hermetic system with freon circulating refrigerant. The latter is always mixed with an oil that is different from all technical vehicle lubricants and household cooling devices.
Circulating in the freon circuit, the oil for the car air conditioner compressor performs a predictable mission, lubricating and cooling the rubbing parts of the mechanism. At the same time, it collects the smallest particles of metal chips, wear products. The polluted substance moves with difficulty, slows down the operation of the cooling system, up to a complete failure.
For this reason, the assembly must be monitored, and the oil in the car air conditioner compressor should be changed in time. Experts talk about a 1,5-2-year interval between equipment maintenance. But practice shows that 3 seasons can be driven without the risk of air conditioning failure.
Oil check
In the compressor of the climatic device of the car there is no measuring neck and probe. To check the condition and amount of lubricant, you have to remove the assembly, drain the liquid completely into a measuring container.
Next, compare the drained volume of substance with the recommended plant. If there is less oil, look for a leak. The leak test of the system can only be carried out under pressure.
How to fill the air conditioner with oil
The operation is complicated, in garage conditions it is not feasible. Refueling a car's air conditioner compressor requires expensive professional equipment. You need to buy a vacuum cleaner, which costs from 4700 rubles, freon scales at a price of 7100 rubles, a freon pumping station - from 52000 rubles. This is not a complete list of equipment for changing the oil in a car air conditioner compressor. Include in the list a manometric station for 5800 rubles, an injector for filling oil, freon, which is sold in containers of 16 kg. The amount of cooler is enough for several cars.
Change of oil
Calculate the cost of equipment and materials, compare with the price for professional service. Perhaps you will come to the idea to carry out the procedure in a car repair shop. You can bring your consumable there, so study the topic of choosing a lubricant. The one-time volume of filling the car air conditioner should be 200-300 g.
Oil selection criteria
The first rule: the oil in the car's air conditioner compressor must not be mixed with another type of lubricant. Different grades of the substance form flakes in the cooling system, which lead to costly repairs to the unit.
Synthetic or mineral base
For refueling car air conditioners, stores sell two types of lubricating chemicals - on a mineral and synthetic basis. Since mixing compounds is unacceptable, look at the year of manufacture of your car so as not to make a mistake with the choice:
- if the car is older than 1994, it runs on R-12 freon and Suniso 5G mineral water;
- if the car was released after the specified period, then R-134a freon is used in tandem with synthetic polyalkylene glycol compounds PAG 46, PAG 100, PAG 150.
Machine categories
When deciding which oil to fill in the car's air conditioning compressor, look at the country of manufacture of the vehicle:
- in Japan and Korea, PAG 46, PAG 100 are used;
- American cars come off the lines with PAG 150 grease;
- European automakers use PAG 46.
The viscosity of consumables is different. PAG 100 lubricant is suitable for the Russian climate.
Which oil to choose
The topic is actively discussed on the forums. Experts have chosen the most optimal brands of oils for Russian cars.
5 position - Oil for compressors Ravenol VDL100 1 l
The product of a venerable German manufacturer is associated with quality, a conscientious approach to the production of lubricants. Ravenol VDL100 oil for automotive air conditioning compressors is made according to the international standard DIN 51506 VCL.
The fluid is characterized by high performance, perfectly copes with work in the most difficult conditions. Friction protection is provided by a carefully selected package of ashless additives with extreme pressure properties. Additives prevent oxidation, foaming and aging of the material.
Ravenol VDL100 belongs to mineral compositions, as it is made from high quality paraffin mixtures. Coating the pistons, rings and valves with a film, the oil protects them from corrosion and carbon deposits. The product thickens at -22°C, flashes at +235°C.
The price for 1 liter starts from 562 rubles.
4 position - Oil for air conditioners LIQUI MOLY PAG Klimaanlagenöl 100
The birthplace of the brand and the country of production of LIQUI MOLY PAG Klimaanlagenöl 100 compression oil is Germany, which already guarantees the high quality of the product.
LIQUI MOLY PAG Air Conditioning Oil 100
The liquid perfectly lubricates and cools the piston group and other components of autocompressors. Made from polyester. Packing of a container is made by means of nitrogen for an exception of absorption of water from air.
LIQUI MOLY PAG Klimaanlagenöl 100 oil seals the climate system, UV additive and oxidation inhibitors protect the mechanism from scuffing, resist grease aging, foaming and flaking. The substance gently acts on the rubber seals of the unit, extending the life of all equipment.
Price for 0,250 kg of lubricant - from 1329 rubles.
3 position - Synthetic oil Becool BC-PAG 46, 1 l
Italian oil produced on the basis of synthetic esters, designed for modern cars running on freon R 134a.
Becool BC-PAG 46, 1 pc
By lubricating and cooling rubbing piston pairs, Becool BC-PAG 46 demonstrates high performance. Due to the innovative production technology, the grease does not thicken at -45 °C, which is especially important for the Russian climate. The flash point of the material is +235 °С.
Synthetic oil for automobile air conditioning compressor Becool BC-PAG 46 increases the wear resistance of climate control equipment, protects system elements from corrosion and oxidation. A balanced package of additives provides extreme pressure properties of the substance, prevents foaming and aging of the product.
Price per unit of goods - from 1370 rubles.
2 position - Compressor oil IDQ PAG 46 Low Viscosity Oil
Fully synthetic substance has a low viscosity, but perfectly lubricates, cools and seals the car's climate system. IDQ PAG 46 Low Viscosity Oil can be filled into the air conditioning compressor in combination with R 134a refrigerant.
IDQ PAG 46 Low Viscosity Oil
Complex polymers used as additives provide anti-corrosion and extreme pressure properties of the material. Additives resist aging, foaming and oxidation of the lubricant.
A hygroscopic product should be stored in tight packaging, avoiding contact of the liquid with air. Compressor oil IDQ PAG 46 Low Viscosity Oil does not lose performance at a temperature of -48 ° C, while flashing is possible at + 200-250 ° C.
The price for a bottle of 0,950 kg is from 1100 rubles.
1 position - Compressor oil Mannol ISO 46 20 l
The mineral substance Mannol ISO 46 is produced on the basis of paraffins and ashless additives. The grease is distinguished by excellent thermal stability, which guarantees long-term uninterrupted operation of climate control equipment and long-term service intervals. This is facilitated by antiwear, extreme pressure, antifoam additives.
Mannol ISO 46 20 л
During operation, a thin film of lubricant envelops pistons, rings, and other rubbing parts of the cooling system. The product does not oxidize for a long time, preventing corrosion of the metal elements of the unit. Mannol ISO 46 grease actively resists the formation of soot and heavy deposits, does not corrode rubber seals. The risk of spontaneous combustion of the product is reduced to zero - the flash point is +216 °С. At -30 ° C, the technical characteristics of the liquid remain normal.
The use of Mannol ISO 46 lubricant extends the service life of reciprocating and screw autocompressors, as the mechanisms operate in a clean environment.
The price for a canister starts from 2727 rubles.
