Refrigerant Oil: Service and Repair

When replacing components of the air-conditioning refrigerant system, measured quantities of oil should be added to the replacement components. It is important that only the specified Panasonic compressor type and quantity of refrigerant oil be used. A surplus of oil will reduce the cooling capacity of the system. Too little oil will result in poor lubrication of the A/C compressor.

During A/C Compressor Replacement

CAUTION: Do not add R-134a refrigerant oil to an R-12 system. Also, do not add R-12 refrigerant oil YN-9 to an R-134a system. Mixing these two types of refrigerant oils may cause poor lubricant circulation resulting In component failure and damage to the A/C systems.

When replacing the A/C compressor, measured quantities of Motorcraft Refrigerant Oil YN-12b or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSH-M1C231-B should be added to the A/C compressor. It is important that only the specified Panasonic compressor type and quantity of refrigerant oil be used. A surplus of oil will reduce the cooling capacity of the system. Too little oil will result in poor lubrication of the A/C compressor.

When the A/C compressor operates, oil gradually leaves the A/C compressor and circulates through the system with the refrigerant. Eventually a balanced condition is reached in which a certain amount of oil is retained in the A/C compressor and a certain amount is continually circulated. If the A/C compressor is removed after the system has been operated, some oil will go with it. To maintain the original oil charge, it is necessary to compensate for the amount of oil lost with the old A/C compressor by adding an equal amount to the new A/C compressor. Motorcraft Refrigerant Oil YN-12b or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSH-M1C231-B should be added to the replacement components as follows:

A new service replacement A/C compressor contains 200ml (6.78 fluid ounces) of the specified refrigerant oil. Prior to installing the replacement A/C compressor, drain the oil into a clean calibrated container. Then drain the oil from the old A/C compressor into another clean calibrated container. Add the same amount of clean refrigerant oil as removed from the old A/C compressor to the new A/C compressor, plus 20ml (0.6762 fluid ounces).