DENSO Aftermarket - how to balance the compressor oil level

In this informative video, we guide you through the process of balancing the oil level in your compressor. Learn how to locate and check the oil level and discover the importance of maintaining the optimal oil balance for smooth and efficient compressor operation. Follow our step-by-step instructions to ensure the longevity and performance of your compressor. Subscribe to our channel for more helpful maintenance tips and tricks.

[@Mrdubomb]

I sure wish I had watched this video a couple months ago...

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Im hoping i made a good detailed educated guess. One of my cars started leaking refrigerant slightly after getting it operational. At least it was parked in the shop and i could see the oil stain and small puddle. Glad i found out the new compressor is filled with enough oil for the whole system, so i emptied what the new one had. Then i added what it called for in the compressor. Went over to the oil spot,poured some out to match the stain and noted that amount ,and added that in. I was surprised that it was almost 1/2oz worth. Been 3yrs and no funny noises yet!

[@henrymorgan3982]

I like how the guy "takes out" the compressor in less thn ten seconds! Great info video.

[@tjts1]

Who was the genius that decided to make a compressor without a drain plug?

[@jeremykastrup6907]

Jim did , saved 1.23M in costs , he lives on a private island now .

[@markk3652]

Lets not forget to stand the compressor up on its clutch end to oil the shaft seal. 10 minutes of vertical with a turn or two of the compressor innards will ensure no leaks.

[@giorgio.]

Good tip, thanks!

[@coldlogic800]

Standard procedure is to rotate a new compressor by hand at least 10 times. That's after adding oil of it was shipped dry. To be clear, hand rotate prefilled compressors also. That's an industry standard excepting rare designs.

[@KillSwitchGarage]

I remember when i had argument years ago with one another local mechanic about the same thing, he did not perform any kind flush and oil balancing operation, he just took new unit tossed it in and thought everything is good, few months later same customer were back and demanded repairs again...compressor were locked up :D

[@Adabulldoya]

Ya I’ve been a mechanic for ten years. Done many compressors hardly ever paid attention to oil levels or do any kind of flush. We have literally never had a single come back or complain or issue. Every ac system I’ve done was perfect. Sounds like this car had other issues

[@henrymorgan3982]

I remember long ago working at a parts house, a friend of the store had four, yes four "defective" ac compressors exchanged and we never found out the REAL story why. It remains a mystery till this day! LOL!!!

[@dequavisjones4869]

​@@Adabulldoyanot all compressors will come with oil in them.

[@giorgio.]

@@henrymorgan3982 If the first compressor failed and broke internally, it could have thrown debris inside the whole A/C system. They pieces would then make their way back to the new compressor and break it. The whole system, condenser, drier, evaporator, lines and hoses needs to be flushed before installing a new compressor. The Car Wizard has a story just like this on his channel.

[@madmanmapper]

Yeah, it never works this way. I don't think I've ever taken out a (modern) compressor that had any measurable quantity of oil that would drain out of it. Very few of them actually have a drain plug, and sometimes they just won't flow oil out of their ports. And very rarely do I see a new compressor come with any measurable oil in it. I just had one the other day that had a sticker saying it had 0.5 oz in it. That's nothing. That's enough to coat the internals. It is, unfortunately, a guessing game. Most mechanics know to add oil when replacing the compressor, but just go by intuition and experience. For a normal modern system I usually add 3oz with a new empty compressor. Maybe a bit more if the system has been flushed or other parts replaced. Maybe a bit more if the system is larger. Having the original oil charge information helps. But like I said, it's a guessing game. And obviously if the old compressor grenaded itself, throw away the condenser and flush everything else. Modern condensers have tubes so small in diameter that you will never be able to flush them properly.

[@sidewayzmike]

Very helpful, for any of my future repairs. Thanks denso.

[@fluorescentmug8333]

Thanks denso man

[@firstielasty1162]

I made a system for an rv with denso compressor. No manual, therefore, to consult for the proper amount of oil. This system has components "vertically spread"...the condenser is about 7 ft below the evaporator. Compressor approximately in the middle.. I suspect that oil would tend to accumulate in the condenser, possibly under oiling the compressor, the only part that really needs it. The lack of information or guidance on this is frustrating...it works, I must not be too far off. If a company would like to sell to fabricators, I suggest they give thorough info on this, it is very important.

[@markcarter9476]

Very useful information. I am about to replace the AC compressor on my Audi S4 B5 and want to m make sure I do everything right. I think I will probably flush the AC system whatever the condition of the oil as I prefer the belt & braces approach.

[@ajf9034]

Why do you make models of compressors that you can’t oil balance? Just increasing costs for customers with the extra work required

[@soapflakes]

Yep push the cost down stream

[@mikeadler434]

👍👍

[@Altprophet]

Drain the old compressor and measure the oil, drain the new compressor and add that much back in. Done.

[@anthonygorham5299]

This only works if u didn’t previously have a leak, if u had a leak there’s no way to know what you’ve lost.

[@papimasfuerte4671]

I guess my ac system has too much oil in it since didnt drain the new compressor

[@dadgarage7966]

My old Hilux's system holds 0.6-0.7 kg of 134a. I guestimated how much oil to leave in the new compressor. Fortunately, it took 0.65 kg, is nearly silent, and is as cold as a penguin's bum.

[@gopro2027]

Just reinstalled my 95 taco ac system. Was ripped out by previous owner. I saw the compressor was pre filled and just sent it 😂 ac works now so that's good enough for me

[@dadgarage7966]

@@gopro2027 It seems that's a theme with people who have older Toyota trucks. Rip out or "delete" whatever they can't fix or understand. Or, were they planning a 1,000 hp LS swap?

[@motorbreath3]

1:19 , basic maths out the window .

[@ianisas]

37,5% is about 35%, 12,5% could be about 15% if you squint a little. Seen worse approximations.

[@motorbreath3]

You drain about 30 cc from the old compressor which equals about 35% of the total amout of the COMPRESSOR ? No 35% of the total SYSTEM.

[@customconnections2425]

🤦🏾‍♂️I thought I was the only one here that was scratching my head on this..

[@WilliamLaakkonen]

You are flushing the system with refrigerant? That doesn't seem to be a good idea... or even possible!

[@madmanmapper]

Oh it's possible. But it's illegal - venting refrigerant intentionally is a federal crime. Not to mention expensive and wasteful. (I think they meant just flushing it with some kind of liquid flushing chemical.)

[@allanb3222]

You flush it by using the a/c recovery machine. It has the ability to use the refrigerant from the stored internal tank, to flush the system.

[@madmanmapper]

@@allanb3222 So you're saying that you charge it and recover. Again. What?

[@allanb3222]

@@madmanmapper No bro, it uses the flushing feature built into the the recovery machine.

[@WilliamLaakkonen]

@@allanb3222 you can use solvents and an AC flush machine (purpose built for flushing task). AFAIK there are no flushing machines which use refrigerant- they all use solvents. Mind you, I'm not a "pro" but I've been working on AC systems of my own since the early 1980s- never heard of flushing with refrigerant. Refrigerant in a system is designed to flow the opposite direction of flushing fluids, IOW you flush in the reverse direction of refrigerant flow. Of course if you have had a catastrophic internal failure of the compressor with most modern systems (>2010 to present), you cannot flush condensor units and must replace instead. Mind you, I am speaking of R-134a units- I have no experience with the newest refrigerant variants yet.m If you know of a recovery machine which flushes with refrigerant, I would be interested to know the make and model as I'm always learning - and I do get dirty doing repairs as well. Cheers.

[@azarahwagner2749]

😂😂😂 Absolutely rubbish… most compressors die horribly sending metal fragments through the whole system and the oil is yellow. The whole system needs replaced because you can never get the entire system clean and will destroy the new compressor .