It look like there is an oil resevoir on the aircon compressor (Mondial t) It takes 0.25 pints of "Agip 60" oil, to be replenished every 50,000km. I want to check mine but cannot identify "Agip 60". Can anybody tell me what oil to refill the resevoir with?
You don't need Agip. Just go to any auto store and ask for AC compressor oil. Also you need to tell them if it is R12 or 134 Freon. And the most important thing is you need to evacuate the AC system if you want to check or change the oil. If you suspect you are low you can also buy a can of "oil charge" but once again make sure it is compatible with what you have in the system now. Just askin but is your AC system working and why do you want to replace the oil.
I think the maintainence schedule calls for replacing the A/C oil periodically, but I don't know of anyone who does that. Considering the trouble of pulling out the old freon (R12 or R134), recycling it, evacuating and recharging, if the system is working and there are no leaks, the oil level should be fine. If you have to open up the system to repair something, then you are going to replace the oil anyway
It doesn't look like it's referring to the oil in the actual aircon cooling system, it looks like an external oil reservoir, maybe to lubricate the compressor bearings? Or am I reading the manual incorrectly and does it mean the oil in the sealed system, that you can only replenish when you evacuate the aircon. Image Unavailable, Please Login
As noted, ac compressors are lubricated at the factory. They do need oil but once in service the oil in the refrigerant charge supplies the oil required for operation. There is no need to "change" the oil in the compressor and there is reason to do so. Anytime you add refrigerant you are also adding oil. It is actually possible to have too much oil in the system - if you have a fridge leak that you don't repair and just keep adding refrigerant and the oil that's part of it. Usually, the refrigerant leaks out much faster than the oil so eventually there's too much oil which reduces the efficiency of the system.
That picture is of the A/C compressor, with a dipstick being used to check the oil level. My 1975 GT4 owner's manual calls for the freon to be changed and the oil level checked annually or every 20,000 klm. Not many do this. If your system isn't leaking and works, you are good to go.
Hi Lightning, Like Mike stated, no need to add oil unless you have a major leak or your compressor has handgrenaded itself (in which case you've got bigger problems on your hands and need to flush out all of the 'interesting bits' from the system). If you are recharging, just leave the original oil in it and you should be fine. The oil is only in there to lubricate the compressor and is carried along by the refrigerant. If you open that plug on the compressor case you will need to recharge it as this is supposed to be a sealed system. I'd just leave it alone. Old R12 systems like in my 328 have a York compressor with a sump that stores most of the oil so the amount isn't too critical. Newer compressors need the correct amount (and type) of oil mixed in with the refrigerant. Too much oil significantly reduces cooling efficiency (especially with R134a), too little and the compressor complains, then 'retires' - permanently. If you have a big leak or need to put in a new compressor/condenser/evaporator unfortunately the only way to accurately know how much oil is left in there is to flush everything out and start from scratch. Not a big deal. Use PAG for R134a, and Mineral for R12. Ester oil is compatible with both refrigerant types. Even though the different oils will mix (somewhat), you don't ever want to put PAG into a system with R12 refrigerant - the oil doesn't play well with R12 causing really nasty things to happen inside. Ciao, Vincent
Thanks for the replies. Good job I did not remove the cap to check the oil level, as the diagram shows! The aircon is working fine so I'll just leave it alone.
