Air Conditioner Compressor Service
TM 9-2320-363-34-1 · Chapter 11.1 — Air Conditioning System Maintenance
This task covers: a. General Information b. Service
Applicable Configuration: Equipment Condition:
All except M915A2 and M916A1 Reference Condition Description
Tools and Special Equipment: TM 9-2320-363-20 Batteries Disconnected
Page 11.1-2 Refrigerant Recovered
Tool Kit, SC 5180-90-CL-N26
Shop Equipment, SC 4910-95-CL-A31 General Safety Instructions:
Gage, Oil Level. 99-431
Materials/Parts: WARNING
Do not remove air conditioner compressor oil
Oil, Refrigerant Appendix B, Item 43.1 fill plug without first recovering the system.
Failure to recover the system could cause
References: uncontrolled release of high-pressure
refrigerant, which can freeze skin and eye
TM 9-2320-363-20 tissue causing serious Injury or blindness.
GENERAL INFORMATION
CAUTION
l Always use the correct refrigerant oil in R-134a air conditioning
system. Never mix oils. If the wrong oil is used, or if oils are
mixed, the compressor could seize due to improper lubrication.
l Refrigerant oil must be from a container that has not been opened
or that has been tightly sealed since its last use. Tubing, funnels,
or other equipment used to transfer refrigerant oil should be very
clean and dry. Failure to follow this caution may result in
contamination of system.
NOTE
Replacing only the amount of refrigerant oil that was removed during evacuation may result
in the wrong oil charge; oil charge may have been incorrect prior to evacuation. The only way
to ensure proper oil charge is to check the oil level in the compressor with an oil level gage.
1. WHEN HANDLING REFRIGERANT OIL:
a. OIL SHOULD BE FREE OF WATER, DUST, METAL POWDER, AND OTHER FOREIGN SUBSTANCES.
b. DO NOT MIX REFRIGERANT OIL WITH OTHER TYPES OR VISCOSITIES OF OIL
C. QUICKLY SEAL OIL CONTAINER AFTER USE. REFRIGERANT OIL ABSORBS MOISTURE WHEN EXPOSED TO AIR FOR ANY PERIOD.
2. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE ABOUT 14 fl oz (414 ml) OF REFRIGERANT OIL. THERE SHOULD BE 10 fl oz (296 ml) IN THE COMPRESSOR.
3. EACH MAJOR COMPONENT HAS ABOUT 2 fl oz (59 ml) OF REFRIGERANT OIL. THEREFORE, ADDITIONAL OIL MUST BE ADDED TO THE COMPRESSOR WHEN A MAJOR COMPONENT IS REPLACED.
EXAMPLE: IF THE CONDENSER AND RECEIVER-DRIER ARE TO BE REPLACED, FIRST CHECK OIL LEVEL IN COMPRESSOR. COMPRESSOR SHOULD HAVE 10 fl oz (296 ml). ADD OIL IF NEEDED. THEN, AFTER REPLACING CONDENSER AND RECEIVER-DRIER, ADD AN ADDITIONAL 4 fl oz (118 ml) OF OIL TO THE COMPRESSOR. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM SHOULD THEN HAVE ABOUT 14 fl oz (414 ml).
1. REMOVE OIL FILL PLUG (1) AND PREFORMED PACKING FROM COMPRESSOR (2). RETAIN PREFORMED PACKING IF NOT DAMAGED. OR IF THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF LEAKS.
2. USE OIL LEVEL GAGE TO CHECK OIL LEVEL IN COMPRESSOR (2):
a. IF GAGE BOTTOMS OUT BEFORE GOING IN MORE THAN 3 IN. (7.6 CM), IT IS HITTING COMPRESSOR CRANKSHAFT. ROTATE DRIVE PLATE BY HAND AND INSERT GAGE AGAIN UNTIL IT CONTACTS BOTTOM OF SUMP.
b. USE THE FOLLOWING TABLE TO DETERMINE OIL QUANTITY IN COMPRESSOR (2).
Oil Level Gage Depth Oil Quantity In Inches (mm) In Fluid Oz (ml)
7/8 in. (22.2 mm) 6 fl oz (177 ml) 1 in. (25.4 mm) 8 fl oz (237 ml) 1 118 in. (28.6 mm) 10 fl oz (296 ml) 1 7/16 in. (36.5 mm) 12 fl oz (355 ml) 1 1 1/16 in. (43 mm) 14 fl oz (414 ml)
3. ADD OR REMOVE OIL FROM COMPRESSOR (2) SO THAT OIL CHARGE IN COMPRESSOR IS 10 fl oz (296 ml).
4. ADD ADDITIONAL OIL TO COMPRESSOR (2) BASED ON NUMBER OF MAJOR AIR CONDITIONING COMPONENTS REPLACED. TOTAL CHARGE SHOULD BE 14 fl oz (414 ml)
5. ENSURE THAT PREFORMED PACKING AND THREADS OF OIL FILL PLUG (1) ARE CLEAN. BEING CAREFUL NOT TO TWIST PREFORMED PACKING, INSTALL OVER THREADS OF OIL FILL PLUG. INSTALL OIL FILL PLUG AND TIGHTEN SNUGLY.
Charge and leak test air conditioning system (page 11.1-2 and TM 9-2320-363-20).
Change 1 11.1-25/(11.1-26 Blank)