Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum

i all, thanks for having me. I've got a oil capacity question. Chilton has the following table for my wrangler. My aftermarket compressor label shows compressor oil fill at 150ml (compressor has no oil in it right now). Based on the Chilton info below, do I add the 'Total System Fill' (150ml) with what the comp label shows (150ml) 300ml total, since the table 'Total System Fill' below specifically does not include the compressor volume?

CHILTON REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES
Total System Fill 150 ml. 5.0 oz.
A/C Condenser 60 ml. 2.0 oz.
A/C Evaporator 60 ml. 2.0 oz.
A/C Receiver/Drier 30 ml. 1.0 oz.
A/C Compressor Drain and measure the oil from the old A/C compressor. See Compressor Drain Procedure.

How many ounces of oil - if any - did you measure when you drained the old compressor???

That's unknown, since this was an engine swap - old comp with the old engine. I am starting fresh with zero oil - new condenser, drier and flushing the evap.

The specifications that I have for your Jeep (presuming it's stock) are 18 ounces net weight (510 g) of R-134a, and 5.0 fluid ounces (148 ml) of PAG-46. An under-hood decal (e.g., on the radiator support) with specs that differ takes precedence.

Since you're starting with essentially new (dry) components, the total amount of oil for your system is 5.0 fluid ounces according to the specs above. You could put all of it in the compressor, as the factory did, or you could oil-balance the system. By that I mean distributing the oil around to the ancillary components and adding the rest into the new compressor. You don't want the first system start-up to be with a dry compressor.

If you choose to oil-balance, I suggest putting 1 ounce each into the condenser, the flushed evaporator, and the R/D, and 2 ounces in the compressor.

Thanks John. How much dye do you suggest adding for a system my size? Dye will be separate from oil.

When it comes to UV dye, a little goes a long way. If you purchase a small bottle, how much to use should appear on the label. Normally, about 1/4-ounce per pound of refrigerant, or a little more than one and one half teaspoons, should do it for your system.