A/C compressor swap out without re-charging the system

macleanflood

macleanflood

I break sh!t
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Either I burned up my alternator or the AC compressor for which I removed the clutch is making noise. I have a new compressor but not sure I'm ready to invest in charging the system. I believe the compressor came filled with the appropriate amount of PAG oil. Am I ok to swap it with the clutch unplugged without charging it for a while? Damn thing is expensive and I don't want to ruin it.

Or should I just pull it and get a shorter belt for my 97?

-Mac
 
Damn it's the alternator. Back to Zilkowski's auto electric on Monday.

Gotta be better about maintaining 2k rpm when winching. My pet theory is my Optima Yellow Top doesn't have enough ass to float high amp draws.

IMG20240426195608.jpg


-Mac

IMG20240426195608.jpg
 
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macleanflood said:
I have a new compressor but not sure I'm ready to invest in charging the system. I believe the compressor came filled with the appropriate amount of PAG oil.
Click to expand...

While the compressor can have residual oil inside from factory testing; almost all compressors do not come pre filled with oil during shipping.
Never assume the compressor came with the proper amount of PAG oil inside.
You need to verify the oil level prior to use.
 
CharlesHS said:
While the compressor can have residual oil inside from factory testing; almost all compressors do not come pre filled with oil during shipping.
Never assume the compressor came with the proper amount of PAG oil inside.
You need to verify the oil level prior to use.
Click to expand...

How do you verify the oil level?
 
I wouldn't. When you disconnect the compressor you'll get air and whatever humidity comes with it into the system. There's chemistry involved in why that's bad to just leave in there. So you'd at least want to evacuate it...but then that leaves the system under vacuum so if there's a leak it'll just pull air right back in. Best to just leave it sealed up until you're ready to complete the process.
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
How do you verify the oil level?
Click to expand...

The entire A/C system can hold up to 8 fl oz of PAG oil.
The FSM (Refrigerant Oil - Plumbing 24-55) recommends how much oil to add to new compressor by draining the old compressor and measuring how much that drained from the compressor, verifying if there is or is not oil in the new compressor, drain any oil from new compressor and add new oil in the amount measured that was removed from the old compressor.
 
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