HVAC System - Compressor Refrigerant Oil Checking Buick Riviera VIII

REFRIGERANT OILS

Note. DO NOT exceed A/C system refrigerant oil capacity when servicing system. See appropriate A/C SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS article in this section.

Note. Use ONLY the specified oil for the appropriate system or A/C compressor. Always check the underhood A/C specification label or A/C compressor label before adding refrigerant oil to A/C compressor/system.

Use only new, moisture-free refrigerant oil in A/C systems. Refrigerant oil is highly refined with a very low moisture content. Oil container must be tightly closed when not in use, or moisture from air will be absorbed into refrigerant oil.

Refrigerant R-12 based systems use mineral oil, while R-134a systems use Polyalkylene Glycol (PAG) refrigerant oil. Using a mineral oil based lubricant with R-134a systems will result in A/C compressor failure due to lack of proper lubrication.

Different compressors have different lubrication requirements and use different specified Polyalkylene Glycol (PAG) refrigerant oils. Use only specified PAG refrigerant oil for the appropriate system and A/C compressor. Always check the underhood A/C specification label or A/C compressor label before adding refrigerant oil to A/C compressor/system. The following types of R-134a refrigerant oil are currently available.

GM

On all models except Saturn, use PAG Refrigerant Oil (Part No. 12345923). On Saturn, use Saturn PAG Refrigerant Oil.

Note. PAG oil absorbs moisture very rapidly, 2.3-5.6 percent by weight as compared to a mineral oil absorption rate of .005 percent by weight.

DISCHARGING SYSTEM

Discharge A/C system, using approved refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment before loosening any fittings. Follow refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment manufacturer's instructions.

DISCONNECTING LINES & FITTINGS

After system is discharged, carefully clean area around all fittings to be opened. Always use 2 wrenches when loosening or tightening fittings. Some refrigerant lines are connected with a spring-lock coupling. Special tools may be required to disconnect lines. Cap all openings as soon as lines are removed. DO NOT remove caps until ready to connect lines and fittings.

Note. All R-134a based systems use 1/2-16 ACME threaded fittings. Ensure all replacement parts match the connections of the system being worked on.

CONNECTING LINES & FITTINGS

Always use new gasket or "O" ring when connecting lines or fittings. Coat "O" ring with specified refrigerant oil, and ensure it is not twisted during installation. To prevent damage to lines and fittings, always use 2 wrenches. Keep refrigerant oil off fitting threads. Long term contact of oil on threads may cause future damage to threads.

PLACING SYSTEM IN OPERATION

After component service or replacement has been completed, evacuate system thoroughly with a vacuum pump. Charge system with proper amount of refrigerant. Refer to the appropriate A/C SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS article in this section. See the following menu

1. Car Models, see: «A/C SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/riviera/viii-1994-1999/remont/general-servicing-all-makes/#hvac-system-specifications)
2. Truck & Van Models, see: «A/C SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-40369)

Perform leak test. After system has been leak tested, check system operation.

Note. A/C systems normally will not need additional refrigerant oil unless oil loss has occurred due to ruptured lines, leaking compressor seals, compressor overhaul or component replacement.

HARRISON HD6/HT6 6-CYLINDER, & V5 5-CYLINDER

1. Operate system for several minutes to stabilize system, if possible. Turn engine off. Discharge A/C system, using approved refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment. Remove compressor. Drain refrigerant oil from compressor through suction and discharge ports, and drain plug. Measure amount of oil drained.
2. If no oil leaks exist and more than one ounce is drained, add drained amount using new oil. If less than one ounce is drained from compressor, add 2 ounces of new oil.
3. If replacing A/C components, add specified amount of refrigerant oil to system. See «HD6/HT6 & V5 COMPONENT REFRIGERANT OIL»(/buick/riviera/viii-1994-1999/remont/general-servicing-all-makes/#hvac-system-compressor-refrigerant-oil-checking) CAPACITIES table. Install drain plug and compressor. Evacuate and recharge system. Perform leak test.

Note. Approximately 3 ounces of refrigerant oil, suspended in refrigerant, will be lost due to a large, abrupt leak. When replacing faulty component, add required amount of oil for component plus 3 ounces of oil to component. If oil cannot be easily added to component, add to accumulator/receiver-drier.

HD6/HT6 & V5 COMPONENT REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES

NIPPONDENSO 10PA20 10-CYLINDER

1. Operate system for several minutes to stabilize system, if possible. Turn engine off. Discharge A/C system, using approved refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment. Remove compressor. Drain refrigerant oil, measure amount of oil removed and discard old oil. Add amount of oil drained from compressor plus one ounce of new refrigerant oil.
2. If replacing A/C components, add specified amount of refrigerant oil to component. See «10PA20 COMPONENT REFRIGERANT OIL»(/buick/riviera/viii-1994-1999/remont/general-servicing-all-makes/#hvac-system-compressor-refrigerant-oil-checking) CAPACITIES table for component capacities. If oil cannot easily be added to component, add oil to accumulator. Evacuate and recharge system. Perform leak test.

Note. Approximately 3 ounces of refrigerant oil, suspended in refrigerant, will be lost due to a large, abrupt leak. When replacing faulty component, add required amount of oil for component plus 3 ounces of oil to component. If oil cannot be easily added to component, add to accumulator.

10PA20 COMPONENT REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES

SANDEN SD7H15 7-CYLINDER

1. Discharge A/C system, using approved refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment. Remove compressor. Drain refrigerant oil, measure amount of oil removed and discard old oil.
2. On General Motors models, if no oil leaks exist and more than one ounce is drained from compressor, add drained amount using new refrigerant oil. If less than one ounce is drained, add 2 ounces of new refrigerant oil.
3. If replacing A/C components, add specified amount of refrigerant oil to component. See «SD-7H15 COMPONENT REFRIGERANT OIL»(/buick/riviera/viii-1994-1999/remont/general-servicing-all-makes/#hvac-system-compressor-refrigerant-oil-checking) CAPACITIES table for component capacities. If oil cannot easily be added to component, add oil to accumulator/receiver-drier. Evacuate and recharge system. Perform leak test.

SD-7H15 COMPONENT REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES

ZEXEL ROTARY VANE

1. Slowly discharge A/C system, using approved refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment. Remove old A/C compressor. Install compressor oil drain Adapters (SA9149AC-5 and SA9149AC-6) to service ports. Drain compressor oil. Measure amount drained, and discard oil.
2. Ensure amount of refrigerant oil in replacement compressor is the same as amount removed from old compressor (total system capacity minus amount retained in components that have not been replaced). See «ZEXEL COMPONENT REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES»(/buick/riviera/viii-1994-1999/remont/general-servicing-all-makes/#hvac-system-compressor-refrigerant-oil-checking) table. Install compressor. Evacuate and recharge A/C system. Perform leak test.

ZEXEL COMPONENT REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES

See also:
• A/C SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
• HD6/HT6 & V5 COMPONENT REFRIGERANT OIL