2009 Camry AC Compressor

[diyjake]

The AC compressor clutch bearing started making a horrible grinding noise so I found a used compressor from a 09 camry with 21K miles. My question is how do I get the proper amount of PAG-46 oil in my system (required amount is 5-6 oz). I would like to drain the oil from the newer compressor and add some fresh oil and keep it as close to 5-6 oz as I can.

Any recommendations?

 

[StevieC]

There are injectors you can buy that will add it to the refrigerant when you charge on the low side but you can also pour it into the compressor on the low side of the compressor as well. If your compressor mounts with the low side facing down you will need to plug it until you get the hose on there once full with oil or it will come out.

Then put the system under a vacuum for at least 1/2 hour to get all moisture out and recharge.

 

[diyjake]

I don't know if this is true or not but I've heard that when you use a ac machine to vacuum the ac system it pulls out moisture and freon out of the system but not the oil because s too heavy. Is that true?

 

[kschachn]

A vacuum pump does not remove the oil, it is not a gas. If you vent the refrigerant to the atmosphere and do it too quickly then you can force some oil out with the escaping gas.

What you described is exactly how you should handle the oil, drain it from the new component and add the proper amount prior to installation. The FSM for your vehicle will list an appropriate amount to add.

 

[diyjake]

The system currently does not have any freon in it, I had a shop vacuum pull system so I can replace the compressor.

 

[Chris142]

Too little oil will damage the compressor. Too much can effect the cooling. But it takes a whole lot of extra oil to cause a cooling problem.

I do this every day and its just a guess since some oil will leave when the R134a is removed, it will also seep around connections etc. If I was doing this job I would add 3.5 oz to the new but drained compressor. Another ounce if your replacing the Desicant. An extra ounce or so wont hurt the cooling any.

 

[diyjake]

Originally Posted by Chris142
Too little oil will damage the compressor. Too much can effect the cooling. But it takes a whole lot of extra oil to cause a cooling problem.

I do this every day and its just a guess since some oil will leave when the R134a is removed, it will also seep around connections etc. If I was doing this job I would add 3.5 oz to the new but drained compressor. Another ounce if your replacing the Desicant. An extra ounce or so wont hurt the cooling any.


Thanks for your advice! I was thinking about going with 3 oz but 3.5 sounds like a good plan.

 

[JMJNet]

You can google for a chart describing how much refrigerant needed in the compressor for different toyota models.

Usually, when you bought a Denso compressor, it comes with the oil already.
You have to dump most of it and put in the appropriate amount according to the table.

 

[nthach]

On newer Japanese cars, you also need to be precise about how much oil to add, I added a 1/4oz too much to my parent's van when had to replace a hard line(and I also needed to replace the drier sock in the condenser as well) and the cooling isn't as good as it was.

The best thing you can do is run the AC on full blast for 15 minutes to try to get as much oil into the old compressor. Then drain as much oil from the old compressor as you can. Toyota systems don't hold that much oil, it's around 4oz - look for the total amount in CC or mL on the service label. Subtract the oil drained from the system amount and add that back in. It's best to use a quality PAG 46 oil, Carquest/AAP can order ND Oil-8, i've done it before.

 

[MarkM66]

Can the clutch bearing not be removed with opening the system? Isn't it on the nose of the compressor?

 

[diyjake]

Either way the compressor would need to come off. Problem is there really isn't any replacement clutches for these compressors unless you want to get some cheap junk from ebay.

 

[EA82]

Im surprised the clutch failed so early on a Toyota, probably because the AC doesn't get used a lot up there.
I replaced the compressor on my mustang last year because the clutch seized but went with a new compressor and added the recommended oil, AC works like a champ.

Also remember that the refrigerant has oil too.

 

[Anduril]

Not all refrigerant has oil, and usually the ones that include oil also include the stop-leak [censored] that you're not supposed to use.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted by MarkM66
Can the clutch bearing not be removed with opening the system? Isn't it on the nose of the compressor?


I think that they are replacing their compressor with the used one, instead of just replacing the clutch. Perhaps replacing the clutch in place on that car is not east.