how do you charge your A/C?

when you recharge your A/C, must any care be taken to add a certain amount of PAG oil?

Or do you just add refrigerant?
If anyone has a source on factory Toyota manuals, please let me know

I'm guessing it might be fine just to vacuum the system, then put whatever amount refrigerant it says to (there's probably a sticker in the engine bay)
but am not sure if any PAG oil must be mixed in and added as well,

I hear A/C machines add it automatically,
but the last one I used had a button to add oil and you watch a sight glass on the bottle (measured in ounces) to put however much you want

I hear too much can be bad and cause the system to grenade,
but that A/C systems must also have a certain amount of PAG oil, that automatically mixes with the freon to lubricate the compressor

However, I also heard PAG oil is just something you worry about when installing a new compressor and pre-filling it on the bench, to make sure it doesn't go in dry

 

When I pull a 10 minute vacuum I always put a squirt of oil/dye back in just to replenish what I took out. Most of oil is in bottom of compressor and will not come out unless compressor is removed.

 

But yes evacuating and recharging without any extra oil will be just fine in a system that has a small leak or you just want to service.

 

What he said ^^ No oil unless you know how much oil was lost. Pull a vacuum for at least 30 minutes, an hour is better.

 

Check oil level on vac pump, draw down for 20 min. If it holds without much oil rise just use a scale and charge at the low side in high temp and high side in warm areas.

 

If using a recovery unit, little to no oil will be recovered.
Recover
Pull deep vacuum
Verify system holds vacuum
Charge with proper amount
Verify pressures and operation of compressor, fan, blower, mode doors. Take not of high side, low side, duct temp, ambient temp.
If leak is suspected, add dye to system. Not too much, this can inhibit compressor operation.

 

Take it to a A/C shop!

 

Do not listen to this dum dum

 

Hey try it, if it doesn't work well for you you can always add a little more.... name call much?

 

I sure would like you to explain 2 things:
How does the oil rise in the vacuum pump?
How do you charge from the high side in 'warm areas' ????

 

USB cable from your computer or tablet

 

We drive Tacoma's not Teslas'. Charge until cold.

 

The window of pressure is pretty small Top to bottom with Tacomas so it's just looking for a sweet spot. I have never had to add oil on automotive or Aircraft except for initial servicing.

 

^^^this.

 

booooooo

 

I think what he is trying to say is: If the oil level in the vacuum pump rises it is an indication that you pulled oil out of the system, which could cause you to have to add some PAG oil. Next, I think he is saying when you weigh in the charge while in a deep vacuum, charge into the low side if your ambient temperatures are high because it will boil off to a vapor before starting the engine (or wait for the refrigerant to boil off before starting). And, if ambient temps aren't real high, charge from deep vacuum into high side port for full charge. If the system does not pull in the full weighed in amount, you must switch to the low side fitting for the final weighed amount before starting the engine.

As a Note: Vacuum times to reach less than 500 microns for a minimum of thirty minutes depends on the CFM of your vacuum pump and the capacity of the system. Also, vacuum rated hoses will expedite the process.

 

Low side only with the can on a scale, never charge high side you will blow the compressor

 

Sorry if that was misinterpreted... Low side of pressure charge is 1.26(hot temp area) High side or pressure charge is 1.39(all other temp areas) Always charge to the low side of the system.