Green fluid spray???

[timfost85]

As I was working on '02 Explorer, I heard a funny noise and saw a spray when I turned in the truck (my hood was up). Under the hood I find this:




I'm guessing that this is refrigerant? I recently recharged the ac system (3 12 oz. cans), but my gauge said I was in the proper range (it was an older gauge, though-- could I have overcharged?). Or is this a sign of a compressor that's on its way out? Something else?

Thanks!

 

[RonD]

AC "Refrigerant" doesn't have a color unless you or someone else added die to it to find a leak.

What color coolant is in the radiator/system?

 

[black_demon69]

As I was working on '02 Explorer, I heard a funny noise and saw a spray when I turned in the truck (my hood was up). Under the hood I find this:

View attachment 20976
View attachment 20977

I'm guessing that this is refrigerant? I recently recharged the ac system (3 12 oz. cans), but my gauge said I was in the proper range (it was an older gauge, though-- could I have overcharged?). Or is this a sign of a compressor that's on its way out? Something else?

Thanks!

yes it is a/c oil you need to pinpoint the leak and fix pull a vacuum and recharge by weight with an oil charge. guessing it was converted from r12 to r 134a so proper oil would be ester NOT pag..

 

[RonD]

I stand corrected, I have only ever used clear oil in a compressor, but there is green oil used as well.

 

[Tedybear]

I stand corrected, I have only ever used clear oil in a compressor, but there is green oil used as well.

A lot of the shops up here use the green stuff. NYS rust being as great as it is... It's just easier for a shop to add the green oil so it can be ID'd and also locate leaks. Some of the shops even use a new style charge system. Draw the vacuum, check for leaks. And recharge on the HIGH side with the system and car turned "OFF". It pumps the exact charge right into the high side as a liquid.

Amazing stuff. Far cry from when I serviced the older R12 systems back in the 80's. (Then it was manual everything...and R12 sniffer beep tools) (Back then there was one simple rule. NEVER open the valve on the high side unless engine off, system off...and drawing the vacuum. Unless you want to blow the can of R12 up.... Not sure if that would actually happen? But I never wanted to find out)


S-

 

[timfost85]

I didn't realize that the system is only supposed to have 34 oz. of 134a. I added 36 oz. to a system not even empty. I took it to my mechanic and he let out pressure to 50 psi. My gauge was broken, apparently. He didn't seem overly concerned about the fluid that came out. AC works great now.

Thanks!

 

[adsm08]

AC "Refrigerant" doesn't have a color unless you or someone else added die to it to find a leak.

What color coolant is in the radiator/system?

Most of the refrigerant and PAG you can buy at auto parts stores come pre-loaded with dye.

 

[4x4junkie]

yes it is a/c oil you need to pinpoint the leak and fix pull a vacuum and recharge by weight with an oil charge. guessing it was converted from r12 to r 134a so proper oil would be ester NOT pag..

'02 is well after the switch from R-12 to R-134a was implemented (mid-'94).

PAG-46 oil is fine to use on a conversion IF the compressor has also been changed to a newer R-134a-compatible unit (ester is the correct oil to use when reusing the R-12 compressor).

 

[black_demon69]

'02 is well after the switch from R-12 to R-134a was implemented (mid-'94).

PAG-46 oil is fine to use on a conversion IF the compressor has also been changed to a newer R-134a-compatible unit (ester is the correct oil to use when reusing the R-12 compressor).

For some reason I was thinking it wasa 93

 

[Curious Hound]

PAG-46 oil is fine to use on a conversion IF the compressor has also been changed to a newer R-134a-compatible unit (ester is the correct oil to use when reusing the R-12 compressor).

Compressor needs to be replaced when doing the conversion?
Why?
Can it be rebuilt with different seals or something? Or is that not worth the effort?
I'm getting ready to get my A/C converted and running. My compressor locked up and I have a used one from a donor of the same year. (93)

 

[97RangerXLT]

If the compressor is an r12 compressor, you can use it but you will need to use a different oil than PAG oil, as the Esther oil will not mix with PAG oil. It will turn into a gooey mess and trash your compressor.

Do change out the condensor and evaporator core tho. You will not be able to flush out all of the parts from the locked up compressor, and they will trash your new compressor very quickly.

And as always, replace the accumulator /dryer and orifice tube.

AJ

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 while sitting in my underwear

 

[4x4junkie]

Compressor needs to be replaced when doing the conversion?
Why?
Can it be rebuilt with different seals or something? Or is that not worth the effort?
I'm getting ready to get my A/C converted and running. My compressor locked up and I have a used one from a donor of the same year. (93)

Correct. A used R-12 compressor is fine for R-134a when used with ester oil.

I recall reading somewhere that past use with R-12 leaves some type of a protective layer on the surface of the compressor's otherwise non-R-134a-compatible internal parts (I would guess the ester oil is to preserve this layer). This protective layer isn't present on a new R-12 compressor. A R-134a compressor however is made of different materials that are compatible with R-134a from the outset, so can be used with PAG oil.

 

[Curious Hound]

Thanks. That is the kind of info I need. I checked out some stuff in the tech library, too.

It almost sounds like the absolute best way to go is to replace everything.
I may settle for some hybrid scheme. But I fully understand the principle of doing it right the first time so it doesn't cost triple to redo it later.

I would prefer to just install the replacement compressor and use it for an onboard air compressor. But if I ever hope to have my wife go wheeling with me, the A/C will have to be functional.