I know I need to fill the accumulator with my Ester oil (already flushed the system and replaced o-rings for 134a. The problem is that I don't know where or how much oil to put in the accumulator. I'm keeping the 3800 compressor and have been told it doesn't need any oil added as the accumulator will disperse it to the system. If you have pictures that would be greatly appreciated.

quote Originally posted by grsychckn: [I] have been told it doesn't need any oil added as the accumulator will disperse it to the system.

You have been told wrong if this is a new conversion from R-12 to R-134a or if you are installing a new compressor. In either case, you should add half of the total amount of proper refrigerant oil to the compressor and half to the accumulator. You do not "fill up" the accumulator, and you should turn the compressor over by hand a few revolutions to distribute the new lubricant.

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: You have been told wrong if this is a new conversion from R-12 to R-134a or if you are installing a new compressor. In either case, you should add half of the total amount of proper refrigerant oil to the compressor and half to the accumulator. You do not "fill up" the accumulator, and you should turn the compressor over by hand a few revolutions to distribute the new lubricant.

So does it matter where I fill the accumulator with half of the oil?

Hi,grsychckn from what I was told by a mechanic you will allso want to replace the receiver dryer and expansion tube.He says they use a specialley designed funnel attached to a vacume hose to fill the receiver dryer (accumulator) probubley avalable at the parts store,just ask.Fill with 8oz. to 12oz of compressor oil (depends if the compressor has oil in it or not,some new compressors are filled with oil,some are not). You will allso you need a vacume pump to draw all the air out befor filling with R-134a.Check your owners manual for how much R-134a to install (on his wifes car,a Bonniville it took 2.5 lbs.,I said pounds,not ounces) and he said because the Fiero coolant lines go up front, it may take as much as 4 or 5 12 oz cans of R134a.


I made a few minor corrections,please read again.

[This message has been edited by James Bond 007 (edited 07-05-2008).]

The accumulator and receiver/drier are the same thing.

Make sure you go by the fiero specs and not the 3800 specs.

If you "flushed" the system, the accumulator was destroyed from the process. Also, if it is an original accumulator the desiccant in it is not compatible with r134a. Replace it.

Put half of the oil in the compressor and half of it in the accumulator.

quote Originally posted by Electrathon: If you "flushed" the system, the accumulator was destroyed from the process. Also, if it is an original accumulator the desiccant in it is not compatible with r134a. Replace it. Put half of the oil in the compressor and half of it in the accumulator.

Right, I'm doing that - I have a new accumulator and will be flushing the system without the old accumulator attached (also replaced the orifice tube). I am going to assume that it doesn't matter which port the oil goes in for either the accumulator or the compressor (3800) - which was the subject of my question. Thanks for the help though.

I talked to my mechanic friend of mine last night and he said when they vacume the air out of the system,they leave it on for a good hour, because air has moisture in it, and you dont want any moisture in the system.He uses a fill hose with a cup (with a fitting on the end) attached to the Low side,while the car is under vacume, to fill the receiver dryer.He allso says you can drive the car with out R-143a or compresssor oil,but Don't Turn On The AC,without R-143a or compresssor oil (the AC clutch won't be engaged).He said your better off takeing the car in, and haveing it done right.

[This message has been edited by James Bond 007 (edited 07-05-2008).]

I talked to Arizona Mobil Air in person, they're local and I bought a Delphi HR6 compressor from them. They said to put 6oz of oil in the compressor (yours may differ) and 2oz in the accumulator. Some compressors have an actual fill plug and sump. As far as filling my compressor, they said to put it in the suction side. If you have a nut on the shaft, you can turn it and distribute the oil through the compressor while pouring it in. It there is not a nut on the shaft, (the clutch on mine is pressed on and didn't have the nut), you need to use a large vise. Open the jaws up and the stand the compressor vertically with the clutch in the vise. There are enough metal flats on the clutch end to put in the jaws and hold the clutch. Tape the jaws and it won't scratch things. Then you can actually turn the compressor housing and pour in the oil slowly while turning. I will probably remove the nut off my old compressor and put it on the new one and turn the comp. with a ratchet. If your suction/discharge ports aren't marked, turn the comp. shaft in the proper running direction and put your fingers over the ports, you'll see the difference.

Be careful about flushing. Someone once posted about using denatured alcohol. It seems to attack aluminum. I spent many hours flushing and reflushing things individually with acetone and blowing out with dry air. The condenser is pretty difficult. Just when you think its clean, you can play with it and flush it in the other direction and get more bad stuff out. Likewise, when you think it's dry, it will collect solvent overnight and the air hose will blow more out next morning. The vacuum pump will deal with that. I actually removed my evaporator and thought I found a leak. I wasn't sure and pressure tested it at 60 pst. Seemed ok. You can flush it with a garden hose (don't use soap or anything that will make a residue) which will give you the high volume needed and then blow air thru it and follow up with acetone (it also attracts the remaining water). I don't recommend doing this method unless you remove the evaporator. The reason for all this is that the evaporator is a multi pass unit and not a single pass or continuous tube type. It's difficult to flush and you'll see if you remove it.

Don't be shy about replacing schrader valves and all the o-rings. And use a universal UV dye that will work with any refrigerant or oil.

quote Originally posted by grsychckn: I am going to assume that it doesn't matter which port the oil goes in for either the accumulator or the compressor -

It is best to put the oil in the inlet port on the compressor. If it does not want to go in turn the clutch plate by hand till it goes in. It does not matter at all on the accumulator, but the reservoir is easier to fill from the inlet.

The oil will move throughout the system as it is running. The big key is just to get it in there. Exact amounts are not real critical.

quote Originally posted by Electrathon: It is best to put the oil in the inlet port on the compressor. If it does not want to go in turn the clutch plate by hand till it goes in. It does not matter at all on the accumulator, but the reservoir is easier to fill from the inlet. The oil will move throughout the system as it is running. The big key is just to get it in there. Exact amounts are not real critical.

Thanks, this is what I was looking for.