Lotus Elise S1 Service Notes page 462

PH.8 - REFRIGERANT OIL
The internal working parts of the compressor are lubricated by refrigerant oil. This is a special type of oil
which has an affinity with the refrigerant, such that a proportion of the oil circulates with the refrigerant, around
the whole system. Under normal operating conditions, the oil never needs changing or replenishing, and if the
correct procedure for system depressurisation and re-charging is followed, minimal oil will be lost from the
system during these operations. If, however, the system suffers a major leak or sudden de-pressurisation,
most of the oil held in suspension will be lost as the refrigerant escapes, necessitating the addition of a speci-
fied quantity of oil to the compressor on re-assembly (see section PH.7).
If a refrigeration component is to be replaced, the removed item will contain a certain amount of oil, and
a corresponding amount of new oil must be added to the system on re-assembly:
Condenser; 30 cm
3
Evaporator; 30 cm
3
Any major pipe or hose; 10 cm
3
Receiver-drier; 30 cm
3
Approved Oils
Use a refrigerant oil from only the following list:
Seiko SK-20
Unipart SK-20
Idemitsu SK-20
Refrigerant oil absorbs water and should not be exposed to the atmosphere for any longer than is strictly
necessary to perform the operation. Never return decanted oil back into the storage container.
PH.9 - COMPRESSOR
Drive Belt Tension
The compressor is mounted at the front side of the engine, and shares a multi-rib drive belt with the
alternator which is mounted above it. A jockey wheel runs against the smooth back of the belt, and provides a
means of tension adjustment.
Tension adjus
Pulley clamp i
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2000 / 04