I bought a used compressor and I added the 8oz of oil to it last year about this time. The mechanic told me I shouldn't have put the entire 8oz of oil in it because I didn't account for what was already in the system and my A/C might go out again. Well it did go out at the end of the summer last year and I need to fix it. He told me what I might need to replace if it goes out but I have forgotten what he said. My question is what do I need to replace? I think he told me the orfice tube and drier or condenser. Can someone confirm the parts I need to replace?

 

The accumulator/dryer and liquid line/orifice tube r filters and need to be replaced with new. The evaporator, condenser and hose manifold need to be flushed out with a/c flush and compressed air. I presume u will be replacing the compressor so the replacement needs to be turned upside down and as much oil drained out as possible. U need to determine how much total oil your particular year model holds. Bolt the compressor down, add 1/2 of the new oil to the new accumulator/dryer and the other 1/2 to the replacement compressor. Button it all up and have a shop pull a vacuum/add refrigerant by weight per the sticker under the hood.

 

Generally the oil spreads throughout the system and excessive oil will reduce cooling capacity. I'd probably change the accumulator out and see how oil you get out of it before trying to redo your entire system. With any luck the excessive oil would redistribute through the system. Changing the condenser isn't too hard. You do have to pull the radiator because the condenser is secured to it.

 

About the only thing that can go wrong with the condenser is a leak. R we talking condenser or compressor?.........big difference. How r u going to tell how much oil remains in the accumulator/dryer? Most compressor warranties require new accumulator/dryer AND orifice tube.

 

^X2

Correct on all items and a good job on cleaning.

 

I'll replace the accumulator and orfice tube and get it refilled. thanks!!!

 

If u don't flush the evap, cond, hose manifold and drain the replacement compressor, u'll be back to square one.....not knowing how much oil to add.

 

Am I able to flush it by myself or will I have to take it to a mechanic to do it?

 

Do u have access to compressed air? A/C flush is available at any auto parts store. Pour a bottle in the evap at the firewall, let it sit a bit, blow out with compressed air. Do the same with the cond and hose manifold. Wear eye protection and think safety.

 

The refrigerant oil coats all parts of the system, plus some settles in each component. A lot settles in the accumulator. As long as you know how much you need to remove, focusing on the accumulator is probably the most bang for your buck. You will probably be able to pour ounces of oil out of it. Some components are difficult if not impossible to flush completely. Compressors are designed to compress gas not liquid. In my opinion if you made it a year and your compressor hasn't blown or making noises, if you do nothing you probably aren't going to blow your compressor up. What you're doing here is gaining some performance. I agree with flushing, etc. to the extent a fresh system is the only way to know how much oil is in your system. But realistically once anyone services the system all bets are off and you're making educated guesses based on cooling system efficiency/ pressure readings on manifold gauges. Keep in mind you should pull vacuum to boil moisture out of the system when you open it up.

 

I doubt the extra oil had anything to do with your a/c going out last summer. As stated, too much oil just reduces cooling performance but too little oil kills compressors......and a used compressor is a gamble at best. The XJ a/c is very simple, with regard to the under hood components. Everything under the hood (except the condenser) can be removed/replaced in 2-3 hours. Once a component has been disconnected/removed, that means the system has been "opened up" and u might as well give the rest of the system a good cleaning internally with a/c flush and install new o-rings when going back together. If anything remains in the evap/cond after flushing and blowing out with compressed air, it will quickly evaporate. Now u r at zero, zip, nada old oil remaining and can precisely measure new oil.

We did our a/c overhaul 4 years ago after the compressor went. The kiddo and I installed a new compressor, accumulator/dryer, liquid line (orifice tube), hose/manifold assembly, o-rings, etc. and precisely measured/added oil (1/2 to the dryer, 1/2 to the compressor). Took the XJ to the a/c shop, told them the system was oiled and to pull a vacuum and add refrigerant by weight according to the sticker under the hood. 4 years later, still have low/mid 30s at the center vents on max. Again, if u r going to open up the system, go a little further and do it right the 1st time. Doing so will greatly increase the odds of having a reliable and cold a/c.