Chrysler PT Cruiser Service & Repair Manual page 1955

PT
REFRIGERANT OIL (Continued)
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICING
REFRIGERANT OIL LEVEL
CAUTION: The refrigerant oil used in a R-134a A/C
system is unique. Use only oils which were
designed to work with R-134a refrigerant. The oil
designated for this vehicle is ND8 PAG (polyalka-
lene glycol).
Recovery/recycling equipment will measure the
lubricant being removed. This is the amount of lubri-
cant to be added back to the system. If a new com-
pressor is being installed, drain lubricant from the
old compressor, measure the amount drained and dis-
card old lubricant. Drain the lubricant from the new
compressor into a clean container. Return the
amount of lubricant measured from the old compres-
sor, plus the amount reclaimed from the system back
into the new compressor.
(1) Discharge refrigerant system using recovery/re-
cycling equipment if charge is present (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
(2) Disconnect refrigerant lines from A/C compres-
sor. Cap the open lines to prevent moisture from
entering system.
(3) Remove compressor from vehicle(Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/A/C
COMPRESSOR - REMOVAL).
(4) From suction port on top of compressor, drain
lubricant from compressor.
(5) Add system capacity minus the capacity of
components that have not been replaced(Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/RE-
FRIGERANT - STANDARD PROCEDURE) Add
lubricant through the suction port on compressor.
This is not to exceed 180 ml (6.10 oz.) in total.
(6) Install compressor and connect refrigerant
lines. Then evacuate and charge refrigerant system-
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE)
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT OIL
LEVEL CHECK
It is important to have the correct amount of oil in
the A/C system to ensure proper lubrication of the
compressor. Too little oil will result in damage to the
compressor. Too much oil will reduce the cooling
capacity of the system and consequently result in
higher discharge air temperatures.
HEATING & AIR COND. - LHD
NOTE: The oil used in the compressor is ND8 PAG
R-134a refrigerant oil. Only refrigerant oil of the
same type should be used to service the system.
Do not use any other oil. The oil container should
be kept tightly capped until it is ready for use.
Tightly cap afterwards to prevent contamination
from dirt and moisture. Refrigerant oil will quickly
absorb any moisture it comes in contact with. Spe-
cial effort must be used to keep all R-134a system
components moisture-free. Moisture in the oil is
very difficult to remove and will cause a reliability
problem with the compressor.
It will not be necessary to check oil level in the
compressor or to add oil unless there has been an oil
loss. Oil loss at a leak point will be evident by the
presence of a wet, shiny surface around the leak.
When an air conditioning system is first assem-
bled, all components (except the compressor) are
refrigerant oil free. After the system has been
charged with R-134a refrigerant and operated, the oil
in the compressor is dispersed through the lines and
components. The evaporator, condenser, and filter-
drier will retain a significant amount of oil, refer to
the Refrigerant Oil Capacities chart. When a compo-
nent is replaced, the specified amount of refrigerant
oil must be added. When the compressor is replaced,
the amount of oil that is retained in the rest of the
system must be drained from the replacement com-
pressor. When a line or component has ruptured and
oil has escaped, the compressor should be removed
and drained. The filter-drier must be replaced along
with the ruptured part. The oil capacity of the sys-
tem, minus the amount of oil still in the remaining
components, can be measured and poured into the
suction port of the compressor.
REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES
Refrigerant Oil Capacities
Component
Total System
Filter-Drier
Condenser
Evaporator
All Refrigerant Lines
24 - 49
ml oz
180ml 6.1 oz
30 ml 1.0 oz
30 ml 1.0 oz
59 ml 2.0 oz
44 ml 1.5 oz