A/C Help - 94 Plymouth Sundance Duster

Car had been in an accident and the front end got damaged. In putting it back together one of the parts replaced was the air conditioner condenser. I installed a used one from a junk yard.

This car does use 134a, all of which leaked out due to punctures in the condenser from the accident. I connected up gauges and a vacuum pump yesterday and pulled a vacuum for a few minutes. There does NOT appear to be any leaks since it held the vacuum for a couple hours. I know I need to run the pump for 30 mins before I get to recharging it.

I understand I'll need to replace the accumulator/drier bottle since the system sat open for a couple years.

The concern I have is how much oil if any I should add to the system? I found several people saying to pour out and measure what comes out of the drier and add that much back in, but since it lost the 134a quickly some oil (a lot?) could have sprayed out in the accident. The accident was in fall/winter so the a/c wasn't on at the time if it matters. Also since the condenser was a used one, there may be more or less oil in it than the old damaged one had in it.

I think I can manage the recharge process if someone could help out with the oil issue.

Thanks,
Ewb

EWB,

Let me give you my thoughts. I'd completely flush the system. They sell a/c system flush at the auto parts store and it's in an aerosol can. Remove the compressor and the accumulator/drier. Then follow the instructions on the can. While you've got the compressor out, i'd empty the oil. If you buy a new accumulator/drier, it'll be empty when you get it. You need to find out how much oil goes in your system. If you know that, you can add some of it to the compressor/drier before you install it. Once you reinstall everything and pull a vaccuum, you can then add the remainder of the oil during the system charge. The point of the flush is to remove any trash/old oil in the system prior to recharge. At least you'll put the exact amount in that you need.

Good luck.

Mark