₦airaland Forum

A/C Compressors: Why the right oil matters
A/C Compressor oil is the biggest cause of product failure.
Maintenance and repair of automotive air-conditioning (A/C) units, either manually or automatically controlled, represent a real expansion opportunity for garages and workshops. Indepth technical knowledge of A/C systems, common faults, recommended components and oils are all essential to achieve customer satisfaction and build return business.
Central to this technical know-how is a comprehensive knowledge of compressors. This is because 99.9% of all compressor problems are not related to product failure, but from a poor understanding of A/C system operation, maintenance and repair.
But there is one aspect in particular that causes the majority of avoidable A/C Compressor problems is the oil.
Universal oil: a key cause of compressor failure
Compressors are vital to a vehicle’s A/C system; compressing the low temperature, low pressure gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator, into a high temperature, high pressure gaseous refrigerant, and discharging it to the condenser.
Oil in the A/C system is essential, primarily to lubricate moving parts, i.e. the compressor and the expansion valve needle. It also enables heat to escape from the compressor. As with refrigerant, oil in the A/C system must retain its chemical stability.
However, it is vital to choose the right oil for the job. Insufficient lubrication due to universal oil is the second most frequent reason for A/C compressor damage and failure.
What are the pitfalls of universal oil?
The use of incorrect oils, such as universal oils or oil mixtures, inevitably leads to A/C compressor damage. This is because universal oils, often preferred by garages, are PAO-oils, or mineral oils with a different viscosity than synthetic PAG-oils. The difference between these two types of oil means that they do not mix, leading to poor lubrication, damaged seals and increased wear.
If the oil is diluted, the lubricant base layer decreases. This results in the piston rubbing against the cylinder bearing surface. If the oil is too thick, it is unable to ‘squeeze’ between the cylinder and the piston. change in the oil viscosity can result in more frictional resistance, leading to an increase in compressor temperature and subsequent seizure.
Blending or mixing of different types of oils may lead to the formation of paraffin. This can block the flow of the refrigerant and oil, leading to seizure of the compressor and system failure.
Quantity as important as quality
It is not only the quality, but the quantity of oil in the system that is of great importance. Too little oil leads to poor lubrication of the compressor, rising component temperature and oil scorching on the suction side of the compressor. Too much oil in the system will increase the load on the piston-crank system, which can lead to a block in the body of the thrust bearing and the hard front piston co-pivotable skid plate.
Is the oil filtered?
It is also essential that any solid impurities in the compressor oil are removed in the filter-dryer. The filter-dryer will also capture moisture from the oil. As part of the annual maintenance of the A/C system, it is equally vital to remove a proportion of the oil, replacing it with the same quantity of fresh oil.

depair:
its a toyota camry 2000 it does not use cabin filter. the cooling is not what i want.
i believe its low on gas just my layman submission

in that case make sure you check for leakage before refilling,bcuz there is a leakage that is why your gas is low,and also they need to vacuum the system before refilling

depair:
pls i hear hissing sound from the vent when the ac is running pls what is the cause and solution if any?

What kind of car is it,well possible cause is if your cabin filter very dirty and secondly is if some of your vent is not opened properly.Pls those your car cool very well despite the hissing sound your hearing.

Fill free to contact mosbus if you have any issue with your auto air conditioning,we are always happy when people issue are solved.call 08026941215 or 08037586148 you can also chat with me on whatsapp 08026941215

nickxtra:
Air blows out of one of the air vents in my car (the driver's side) when the car is in motion, but without the AC on. Any cause for alarm, sir?

What kind of car is it,and I hope your air recycling switch is not off,bcuz in most cases when the switch is off there is a door inside the engine room in which the switch controls,once the door is opened the air from your engine will be passing through.so confirm the switch and put it ON
Here is the switch below

AKMoney1:
Any in Ibadan?

No brother,am still under research for good technician,dont what kazeem to spoil my clients cars

Evening friends,is there any body having auto air conditioning issue pls fill free to contact me 08026941215 or 08037586148

stanleyuzoh022:
Any good AC guy in Abuja? No kazeem pls.

don't have any for now,but am working towards having good technician round the state

depair:
please reply my mesaage

20,000 naira sir

rainmaker12:
Bro @mosbos, I just want to thank you for a job well done. My Accord A.C is now cooling like I'm sitting down in a 'cold room' nak3d. I never thought an AC technician will have an actual infrared thermometer, when compared to 'a kaseem' "feel and tell" (e don dey cool, oya come touch am). I was very impressed, keep up the good work bro.

Thanks for your patronage.

11;oke ho street,ire akari,isolo,
Contact 08026941215 or 08032089850 you can also what's app me on both lines.
Thanks

captainking:
Ur number is not connecting.. I stay very close to your side.. Precisely at ire kari.. Transformer bus-stop enroute ilasa Road.. I would like to visit you.. Cos my ac I filled last week just finished.. Thanks... Holla back pls..

stanlotion:
Morning Op, thanks for this cool thread.


I have a toyota camry. The A/C has been good until recently. Once I put on the A/C through the knob, the A/C button comes on with a green light and starts working, but sooner, the green light starts blinking and the compressor cuts off. I have been advised to run the wire to the Knob or change the A/C button totally. Please advise.

Blinking is an error signal, it could mean low compression from the compressor, lack of torque from engine, faulty pressure switch...... and so on. do not connect any funny wires, take vehicle to a technician that can explain what the blink is.
Experienced the same problem yesterday. Ac tech said my compressor has failed. Is he right??

your compressor is very good,the sensor that senses torque from your compressor is faulty,the sensor is located under your compressor.fill free to call me is you can't locate it 08026941215

GAZZUZZ:
Pipes icing up is not normal.

You right Isn't normal the system needs to be vacuum,there is excess of air inside the system,
So pls look for a technician that has vacuum machine before you damage your compressor.fill free to call me for any more questions 08026941215

Pls fill free to contact me,when you need any advice concerning you automobile air conditioning 08026941215

Call mosbus cool 08026941215 or 08032089850,i also have automatic refilling machine,the machine will refill your car with the right quantity from the manufacturers,we also run proper leakage test,

Majidmuhammad:
I don't know what's wrong with my 2007 Avalon XLS AC. When the car is in park, the AC chills well.
Once I engage the gear and drive slowly it begins to produce hot air, I have to accelerate and move at a fast pace for it to begin producing cold air again. Please advice me on the possible problem and solution. Thanks in advance.

Pls the problem is not your filter,you need to service your throttle head,and your nozzles,your idle control is low,pls take your car to a good mechanic,
For any more questions pls fill free to whatsapp me on 08026941215,

Emekayoung:
Where is ur office or shop outlet?

11;okeho street,ire akari,isolo,opposite saint Mary Catholic church,

Pls never you allow then to top your gas for you,is either you let them check were the gas is leaking from,but if you can't have the patients for them to check,always Make sure they drain the formal gas in the system before refilling another 1.
Reason is they are different kind of gas in the market now some are mixed gas they aren't pure gas,some will just deceive us by writing the same organic name on the body,but do you no the kind of gas inside it,some are mixed with 22 gas,that is what use to damage our compressors,bcuz different chemical reactions are busy fighting each other inside your car before you know it,the entire system will be black and your compressor will knock up.

They don't need to loose out your evaporator before they know is leaking,@mosbus cool we have tools to run leakage test,because some car requires you to loose out dashboard,but for us we don't go through that stress before we confirm that your evaporator is leaking.

Fill free to call me for any advise 08026941215

Ashiru:
I am at it again! The last time I had issue with my Toyota Camry 2008 XLE, their are different opinion of what really happen to the A/C, whether I should change the compressor to manual or maintain the follow come. After much deliberation, I finally replaced the compressor with the automatics compressor which i ordered from abroad. Now, after a year plus, the automatics compressor is bad again. My mechanics is advising me to change it to manual, but I am not too convinced with his opinion, Pls I need advice from the house from anyone with such experience. Its really hot hear in PH and honestly it been difficult driving the without AC. Thanks

Pls I will advice you not to change it to manual,maintain the automatic compressor,just make sure they use the right oil and gas,if possible look for a good technician that has vacuum machine,the manual compressor will cause more load to your engine,and your fuel consumption will increase bcuz it isn't designed for your car.
If you need more advice pls fill free to contact me 08026941215,am an auto air conditioning specialist in Lagos,pls and make sure they flush your condenser and change your condenser filter which is the drier,before replacing another 1 bcus the other thing that can damage the compressor is blockage,

earthrealm:
the technician did either or both things listed below

1. he didnt vacuum the whole system after installing the new evaporator, thus the refrigrant is compromised..and has mixed with air and water vapour...this will eventually rust tru the evaporator again...and develop a leak

2. he didnt fill the car to factory spec, most cars take btw 500 to 850g of refrigrant, and takes upto 45mins following standard refilling procedure...most mechanics do 10 to 15mins max...there end up putting 100 to 200g only.
they dont wanna buy the right tools/nor try to understand the whole ac principle.......with the present tools they have and mindset...i still would not advice you to insist they do more than 30mins to refill

3. probablly added too much oil o the refrigrant

conclusion: search out a qualified ac technician, or better still study up on ac refill technology, it aint rocket science.
my car ac grief ended , the day i opened my mind and researched...i do all ac work on my car by myself, and have bought almost all the tools required

your right,well for the filling quantity every car has a label sticker on the bonnet you will see the filling quantity and the type of gas and oil.
2.you do not need to spend up to 10 min when refilling the gas,bcus if you take your time to vacuum properly,by standard you vacuum for 30min,and if you have a recycling machine you will refill less than 2min,
3,if you cant find the sticker on the bonnet,you can download a software on your phone.that software contain the quantity of gas and oil and there types.
here are my equipment below.you can also give me a call when you have any issue concerning auto air conditioning 08026941215,i also work on hybrid cars
it only for andriod phone users.here is the name of the software BEHR HELLA SERVICE it free.