Auto A/C Recharge Q

[Chocaholic]

95 E320 Benz. AC worked last year, but the R134 vanished over the winter. Looks like an oily film on the front of the compressor...so there's that! Moving in a few weeks and a 6 hour drive to LA (lower Alabama) is in my future.

Anyway...I just charged it with a can of refrigerant with sealant. I know some say the sealant will gunk up your compressor, but I suspect mine may already be weeping. It's blowing ice cold right now.

Here's the question(s)...can I do an occasional recharge (as needed) until we get moved and settled and have time to deal with it a month or two down the road? Do I need to also add a can of refrigerant oil?

[ErVikingo]

I'm not as concerned with clogging the compressor as I am with clogging the expansion valve.

Not knowing how much oil goes into that particular system and how much leaked out, can't comment.

However, it might be 100 to 130 cc. did it leak that much?

[MBAtarga]

I think you just need to sell that ragtop car with inop AC real cheap and avoid the hassle of the drive.
Maybe someone fairly local to you would buy it?

[rfuerst911sc]

Run the system until it no longer blows cold . Then add a can of R134 with oil . Should help with the oil loss you have had . Just limp it along until you get to Alabama .

[cstreit]

I top off my sons car about 2x per year with half a can of freon. Costs about $20/year.

I figure fixing the leak would cost me $1500. SO unless it starts leaking a lot more - I've got a break even solution for the next 75 years or so.

[908/930]

For the add oil question I would say no, unless the bottom of your compressor is dripping with it.

[Chocaholic]

No,certainly no dripping. Will keep an eye on it and charge it up as needed.