AC compressor on my 69 Charger

[70 Charger RT]

Does anyone know if I need to add lubricant to the AC compressor?  Or is it lubricated through the lube in the freon?  Mine it making noises.  Looks like I'll have to change it out with my spare.  It doesn't appear to have a filler opening.  Oh, it's a 69 Charger 440 air cond car.

[Chatt69chgr]

I've never heard of a automotive ac system that used a compressor with a separate oil reservoir for the compressor.  The oil is mixed with the refrigerant.  You put it in through the suction port while the compressor is running and it's usually mixed with some freon.  I think it used to come in little cans that had 2-oz of oil mixed with the R12.  Trouble is, I have no idea where you could get it now.  Used to be that all the parts stores had it but now all they appear to sell is the R134 and the oil that is used with it.  It's a different oil.  I think there used to be a company called Inter Dynamics that sold this stuff and that was what all the parts places had.  They were located somewhere in New York.  Might see if they have a website and try to contact them.  As an alternative, there is ususally at least one place in every town that still deals with R12.  Might see if there is one in you town and call them.  I believe I would try to add some oil before I changed out the compressor since you will have to add R12 and oil after you do that.

[John_Kunkel]

The RV2 compressor does have a sump and an oil filler plug but the system has to be discharged before removing the fill plug. The FSM shows how to make a dipstick to measure the oil level in the compressor. As mentioned, it's easier to recharge the oil through the suction service port, this doesn't require discharging the system.

he mixed oil and R-12 recharge kits are still available but pricey and require a license to purchase, check e-bay.

[Chatt69chgr]

For a while anyway, you could get one of those license's by taking a little test (which they would they would guarantee you would pass----wonder what that means?) and paying $40.  I used to see advertisements in the paper for this but have not paid any attention to that lately.  I heard that if you had a license, they could supposedly come around and ask to see your equipment to reclaim the used freon.  I guess you would answer that you only "worked" on systems that were already discharged---huh!

I have heard that you can't take a refrigerator to a dump anymore if it still has freon in it.  Also heard that guys were cutting the lines before they went to the dump to show the system was empty----------------and no, I have not done this.

[John_Kunkel]

The EPA 609 certification test can still be taken online for $20, it's an open book test so only an idiot would fail to pass the test.

[70 Charger RT]

The FSM shows how to make a dipstick to measure the oil level in the compressor.

Thanks John.  I'll check it out.  My system hasn't been charged yet.

Randall