Auckland Auto Air is a major distributor of automotive air conditioning components

Our compressor department rebuilds and reconditions compressors,
and have years of experience in all makes and models.
Just send them to us, or bring them in.

Carrier

Thermo King

York

Denso

Zexel

Unicla

Calsonic

Sanden

Delphi

Tama

Tecumseh

Seiko Seiki

Halla

Diesel Kiki

GM

Mitsubishi

Nihon Radiator

Shaft Seal Replacement

Complete Overhaul

Complete Rebuild

Clutch Overhaul

Bench Testing

Leak Testing

All Brands

Technical Section

When Fitting a Replacement Compressor

We are getting compressors sent back, which are seized due to lack of oil. It is you, the technician who must ensure that there is enough oil in the compressor to start with and that it is getting sufficient oil return. There is no warranty issued when a compressor has seized due to lack of oil, it is not the fault of the compressor.

There are a few points to remember when fitting a replacement compressor.

1) Sufficient oil is in the compressor and the system for the size of the system. A simple rule of thumb about how much oil is required, is 20% of the refrigerant charge weight in grams, worked out into millilitres of oil. E.g. 20% of 800 grams of refrigerant works out to 160 millilitres of oil. This is typical only of an auto A/C system.

2) The correct type of recommended oil is fitting for the refrigerant and temperature.

3) Ensure the system is thoroughly flushed and the accumulator / receiver drier is replaced.

4) That any other faults in the system are rectified before running a new compressor.

Never assume that just fitting a replacement compressor will solve the previous compressor's problem and never assume the compressor has enough oil or the right type of oil. Compressors don't fail in brand new systems due to lack of oil. The designers of the systems have done their maths and the compressors work perfectly for years.

In a refrigeration system, where temperatures are a lot lower, a different grade of oil might have to be used for the proper oil return and an oil separator might have to be fitted.

Automotive A/C compressors are designed and warranted for automotive A/C use only. Often these pumps will work successfully in a refrigeration system providing there is sufficient oil return and correct superheat is achieved etc, but please remember they were not designed for it and manufacturers will not warrant a failed auto A/C compressor in a refrigeration system, period. Even more so if it is seized.