AC Pump Oil With New Condenser

Mikeymead · December 24, 2021, 16:41

Firstly Merry Christmas to every one, So on Monday if the weather holds I hope to fit my new air conditioning condenser and headlights. I opened all the boxes today to check everything and found a small tin of AC pump oil with the condenser, anyone have a clue what I'm meant to do with it please?

Many Thanks, Mike.

StuC · December 24, 2021, 16:50

My understanding is that the oil is in the air lines and lubricates the pump when in use.
I may have that completely wrong, just what I heard when my ac pump went on the Audi.

Also interested in air conditioned headlights. Yes, that's how I read it! 🤦🏻‍♂️😂😂

Mikeymead · December 24, 2021, 16:58

Yeah they're the latest upgrade, stops them fogging up etc.

This was what I was sort of thinking that it gets added to the gas.

Carolyn · December 24, 2021, 18:51

When you take it to have it pumped down and re-charged, ask the mechanic to use it - he'll put it in with the recharge gas.. Keeps the pump lubricated.

Mikeymead · December 24, 2021, 20:40

Quote from: Carolyn on December 24, 2021, 18:51When you take it to have it pumped down and re-charged, ask the mechanic to use it - he'll put it in with the recharge gas.. Keeps the pump lubricated.

Thanks Carolyn, will do.

1e3mr2 · December 25, 2021, 09:37

Hello, I'm after an A/C condenser for my MR2, but I have a difficulty sourcing one since aftermarket new ones are out of stock, and oe new is too expensive for my pocket. I want to avoid getting a used one. @Mikeymead may I ask where did you source yours?

Mikeymead · December 25, 2021, 21:29

Quote from: 1e3mr2 on December 25, 2021, 09:37Hello, I'm after an A/C condenser for my MR2, but I have a difficulty sourcing one since aftermarket new ones are out of stock, and oe new is too expensive for my pocket. I want to avoid getting a used one. @Mikeymead may I ask where did you source yours?

Mine was genuine Toyota from TCB Performance. I bought it a few months ago I can't remember the price, it was quite expensive but less than I thought it would be.

rusty0273 · December 26, 2021, 10:56

The supplied Oil is the same stuff that any reputable regassing outfit would add prior to filling. I think its supplied in case you were gassing it yourself using the aerosol type cans. The condensers were I think around £230 from TCB vs £300 odd direct from Toyota.

carolineasb · December 26, 2021, 23:10

I'm sure we paid just over £200 + Vat for our condenser direct from our Toyota dealer which was a great price for us as we'd rather have OEM. We also get our service kits for all our 2s from them and a full kit including oil and wipers is only c£56

Mikeymead · December 28, 2021, 17:41

Job done a day later than expected due to weather. Both condenser and lights went as expected but I wouldn't want to do it regularly though I expect it would be easier with practice. I'll only know if the aircon works when I get it re-gassed. Lights are shiny though.

Bossworld · December 28, 2021, 18:18

It's PAG oil, I did mine with the help of an A/C specialist who measured out the refrigerant and the necessary amount of oil; a fast-fit type place will just plug it up to the machine and type the numbers in. Probably the same result either way.

The replacement condenser has lasted since 2018 but the car seems to need a refill every 18 months. Vacuum test doesn't show up a leak anywhere else but I guess all the o rings around the system are nearly 20 years old now.

for the sake of a fiver for the pair I would strongly recommend using the o-rings directly from Toyota for the two front fittings, they are an unusual size in comparison to the trays / sets you can buy.

Mikeymead · January 1, 2022, 18:12

Quote from: Bossworld on December 28, 2021, 18:18It's PAG oil, I did mine with the help of an A/C specialist who measured out the refrigerant and the necessary amount of oil; a fast-fit type place will just plug it up to the machine and type the numbers in. Probably the same result either way.

The replacement condenser has lasted since 2018 but the car seems to need a refill every 18 months. Vacuum test doesn't show up a leak anywhere else but I guess all the o rings around the system are nearly 20 years old now.

for the sake of a fiver for the pair I would strongly recommend using the o-rings directly from Toyota for the two front fittings, they are an unusual size in comparison to the trays / sets you can buy.

At the time of ordering the condenser I asked TCB about the O'rings and was told that they weren't available separately or that it wasn't something he could supply so I didn't pursue. Old rings didn't seem bad and the system wasn't leaking until I had an accident with the drill. I did use some of the air con oil when I reassembled it.
I have a nagging feeling I should have transferred the old dryer from the old condenser but I really hope that wasn't the case.

Bossworld · January 3, 2022, 21:02

Quote from: Mikeymead on January 1, 2022, 18:12
Quote from: Bossworld on December 28, 2021, 18:18It's PAG oil, I did mine with the help of an A/C specialist who measured out the refrigerant and the necessary amount of oil; a fast-fit type place will just plug it up to the machine and type the numbers in. Probably the same result either way.

The replacement condenser has lasted since 2018 but the car seems to need a refill every 18 months. Vacuum test doesn't show up a leak anywhere else but I guess all the o rings around the system are nearly 20 years old now.

for the sake of a fiver for the pair I would strongly recommend using the o-rings directly from Toyota for the two front fittings, they are an unusual size in comparison to the trays / sets you can buy.

At the time of ordering the condenser I asked TCB about the O'rings and was told that they weren't available separately or that it wasn't something he could supply so I didn't pursue. Old rings didn't seem bad and the system wasn't leaking until I had an accident with the drill. I did use some of the air con oil when I reassembled it.
I have a nagging feeling I should have transferred the old dryer from the old condenser but I really hope that wasn't the case.

I am 99% sure you'll be fine re: receiver/dryer - the old one will be absolutely shot and if it's the stock Toyota condenser, the odds are that the plastic plug will be welded in place after all these years, so you'd never have got it out. I didn't investigate whether the new condenser has one inside it but it seems it'd be a massive oversight on Toyota's part to manufacture one without the other included - https://icemancooling.com/2011/03/21/condensers-with-integrated-receiver-driers/

In the interest of science, when I took the old condenser out, I tried to remove it using a hex drain plug and it was just bending the old condenser. Drilled it out and the old receiver/drier was filthy.

I do have a spare receiver/drier sachet in my garage cupboard funnily enough and it came with a metal plug and new green o-rings, but won't ever have chance to fit it.

I got the o-rings for the front connections to the condenser from my local Toyota garage, was about a fiver a pair. I think one of them is used across a lot of Toyota models and the service chap said they're often needing replacement.