Pontiac a/c system
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Most of the time unless you replace your compressor or accumulator you should not need to add oil.
But when you recharge the system
Adding an ounce wouldn't hurt anything or using a can of freon with an oil charge additive already mixed in should be fine.
If the vacuum pump has an oil collector on it you should be able to see if any oil is lost while evacuating
But when you recharge the system
Adding an ounce wouldn't hurt anything or using a can of freon with an oil charge additive already mixed in should be fine.
If the vacuum pump has an oil collector on it you should be able to see if any oil is lost while evacuating
Are you staying R12 or converting to R134? There is a small chart in any factory manual that specifies how much oil "should" be in each component. But what you do is drain the compressor and measure the oil that comes out. If very little then go with the spec for the car. Usually around 3 ounces of oil for the compressor. Flushing the whole system requires a full oil charge. That is usually around 5 or 6 ounces.
You never said if you were converting over to 134 or staying with R12, so I'll keep this general-
Make sure you use the right oil for the type of refrigerant you're using. What was in it before? If 134, you're probably using PAG or Ester oil. If converting from R12 to 134, you will have to flush/drain EVERYTHING since R12 uses mineral oil 99% of the time. Mineral oil will not disperse with 134. Also you need to change to 134 compatible O-rings. Obviously if you're doing R12 already, then you just add a little mineral oil and button it up and recharge.
The accumulator (I'm assuming that's what you mean when you say dryer) has a little wadded "sock" in it that soaks up oil. You'll never get the oil out of that. So you have to change that out when converting. But just a little coat of oil on the O-rings for the orifice tube and any other O-rings will do just to lube them up for assembly. The accumulator may hold about an ounce, so if you just pour about an ounce of appropriate oil into the accumulator when reassembling, you should be fine.
For the compressor, if you're converting, you'll have to drain that oil out. So you'll need to take it off, and pour out oil from the back. Collect it and measure it to get an idea how much is in it. I'm assuming you have a radial R4 style compressor.
Total system oil is likely about 6 oz, but you need to check that with a service manual or other means, but 5 to 6 oz are typical for G-bodies. You can spread that around so oil is already in the components if you're changing over to 134 or if completely evacuating any system and starting over. With about 3 oz. in the compressor, 1 in the accumulator, 1 in the evaporator, and 1 in the condenser. I've done it that several times and have had good success doing it that way. Again, make sure you use a compatible oil.
Remember too, if you're converting to 134 from R12, only use about 75-80% of the charge you normally would use for R12.
Make sure you use the right oil for the type of refrigerant you're using. What was in it before? If 134, you're probably using PAG or Ester oil. If converting from R12 to 134, you will have to flush/drain EVERYTHING since R12 uses mineral oil 99% of the time. Mineral oil will not disperse with 134. Also you need to change to 134 compatible O-rings. Obviously if you're doing R12 already, then you just add a little mineral oil and button it up and recharge.
The accumulator (I'm assuming that's what you mean when you say dryer) has a little wadded "sock" in it that soaks up oil. You'll never get the oil out of that. So you have to change that out when converting. But just a little coat of oil on the O-rings for the orifice tube and any other O-rings will do just to lube them up for assembly. The accumulator may hold about an ounce, so if you just pour about an ounce of appropriate oil into the accumulator when reassembling, you should be fine.
For the compressor, if you're converting, you'll have to drain that oil out. So you'll need to take it off, and pour out oil from the back. Collect it and measure it to get an idea how much is in it. I'm assuming you have a radial R4 style compressor.
Total system oil is likely about 6 oz, but you need to check that with a service manual or other means, but 5 to 6 oz are typical for G-bodies. You can spread that around so oil is already in the components if you're changing over to 134 or if completely evacuating any system and starting over. With about 3 oz. in the compressor, 1 in the accumulator, 1 in the evaporator, and 1 in the condenser. I've done it that several times and have had good success doing it that way. Again, make sure you use a compatible oil.
Remember too, if you're converting to 134 from R12, only use about 75-80% of the charge you normally would use for R12.
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