Re: A/C Guru Question...
ehenry you do not have to disperse the oil throughout the system. It will flow to where is will be retained by the refrigerant flowing through the system. If you do it this way, once you install the compressor turn the clutch by hand (several turns) to pump some of the oil out of the compressor an into the system. If I were doing the job I would disperse a little into each component. The system holds 5.5 oz of SP 20 Pag (for front unit systems only) or 8 oz for duel (front & rear) system. Typically the drier would retain 1 oz, the condenser 1 oz, and the front evaporator 2 oz, rear evaporator 1 oz. I would disperse about half of what each component retained into each component and put the rest in the compressor and let the system handle the rest of the disbursement. All this is considering you have thoroughly flushed the system of all the oil.
Refrigerant amounts
Front system only........28 oz
Duel system................30 oz
Just a note....If the compressor had a mechanical failure (which is most likely) I would recommend replacing the condenser. It's design really prevents flushing (note the design, it's not a single tube winding back and forth, it's multiple tubes connected to a single or a pair of manifold tubes on either side. If the bottom 2 or 3 tubes are clogged the tubes above them can still flow refrigerant) and most of the debris from the failed compressor will be lodged in the bottom of it with no way to purge them clear. If you don't replace it at least install an in line filter to catch the debris that WILL break loose and begin to flow through the system again, possibly damaging the new compressor. Your new compressor will thank you.
