Replacing Condenser/Do I Need Orifice Tube?

[aa040371]

I discovered a leak/hole in my condenser, probably from a rock :--( So all refrigerant has escaped, I guess.

Replacing with a Nissens 94919 (with integrated receiver-drier/accumulator).

A mechanic friend mentioned maybe needing an orifice tube...does this apply here for my 2007 6-cyl limited 4Runner?

Will replace condenser, pull a vacuum, add appropriate amount of R134a refrigerant. My research here indicates an empty system/complete recharge will need ~6 oz of PAG 46 oil as well. Should I add dye at same time?

 

[Drcoffee]

The oil gets distributed throughout the system. You should only need 1oz of oil when replacing a condenser and you would add it to the high side port. You can buy the oil with dye in it. The easiest way to add the oil is connect the vacuum pump to the low side, remove the schrader valve from high side port. Using a 1/8” rubber vacuum line let the vacuum pump suck the oil into the high side port. Nows a good time to replace both schrader valves. Pull a vacuum for 1hour and make sure there are no leaks. Add 21 oz of refrigerant (almost 2 cans).

 

[aa040371]

You should only need 1oz of oil when replacing a condenser...

If all refrigerant has leaked out, which it has, I would have thought I needed enough oil for whole system...no?

Also, is it bad to add more oil than I need? Like 2 oz if I only need 1?

Nows a good time to replace both schrader valves.

THanks...I would not have even considered this. But since they are only used when servicing the system (about half a dozen times in my car's case), and otherwise they do not move/open, and mine aren't leaking (AFAIK), is there a downside to "not fixing what isn't broken"?

 

[Drcoffee]

Its been years, but I recall a chart that shows how mich oil to add when replacing components of the AC system. Condenser was 1 oz. Its easy to remember, I have changed at least 5 of them. The compressor has the most, evap has less, etc. you dont want too much since its not compressible. You can damage the compressor. If the hole on the condenser was high up, you probably didnt loose much oil, but the new condenser will need its load to start with.
Schrader valves get damaged easily by someone opening them too far and bending the needle. The seals age and dry up. They are cheap and assure you wont need to restore the system in a few weeks. That said, when you open the valves to vac or fill, only go until its opened and stop when you feel resistance. You will see it open when the gauge needles move.

AC system oil

 

[aa040371]

Its been years, but I recall a chart that shows how mich oil to add when replacing components of the AC system. Condenser was 1 oz.

Yes, that's what I understood as well...1 oz fr the condenser.

Sorry for being dense...what I don't understand is if the oil is injected into one of the refrigerant port (high side, I think), as in directly into circulating refrigerant, and all the refrigerant has leaked out of my system such that I have to fully evacuate and recharge system with full amount of refrigerant, why don't I also need to add full amount of oil for all system components? i.e. ~6 oz? Are the other components somehow retaining the oil that was already in the system even though all refrigerant has leaked out?

 

[Drcoffee]

The refrigerant is a gas, the oil isnt. The oil is mixed but stays liquid and is distributed thru out the system. You lost the gas but the oil remains. When you add it to the high side ir will migrate to the condenser before the compressor. If you add to the low side it goes right into the compressor

 

[aa040371]

Wow...that was really helpful and makes complete sense. Thanks!