What is the RIGHT Freon for the AC? Can't find a solid answer.

It's R134a, there is oil in the AC system, it's only a little bit only though. I don't trust those freon in a can from auto stores. I get mine vacuumed and recharged at a dealership or with a machine.

 

I was able to get 134a with no oil. It's been 2 months, and air is plenty cold. Without a vacuum/recharge, it is iffy getting the proper measure of refrigerant. If you are just adding some, look for the sight glass. It gives a pretty good indicator before overcharging.

 

Freon don't come pre oiled,
You must add it separately.

 

how many ounces of oil please ?

 

Many consumer outlets do sell the stuff premixed with some oil, which is what the OP noticed that makes this complicated, because they will usually include the wrong kind of oil, which will damage the electric compressor.

It is possible to buy consumer-size cans of R134a with no oil added; there are links all over PriusChat to those products. That's safer. The oil that is known safe for the compressor is Toyota's ND-11.

The sight glass by itself is not a good guide to proper charge, because the car uses a subcooling condenser, with the effect that the sight glass bubbles will disappear when about 100 grams more of refrigerant are needed for the correct charge. The sight glass combined with a refrigerant scale, that's the ticket. (And the repair manual, because the exact conditions mentioned in the repair procedure matter when judging the amount of charge.)

 

ND11 oil for Prius air conditioners. And the system is totally intolerant of PAG oil. Don't use gauges or fill valves that have ever been used on a car that uses PAG oil for its AC. Cross-contamination is a major no-no.

 

I'm with @NutzAboutBolts on this: don't mess with it, take it to a Toyota dealership service department, if there's any problems. Let them check it out, and take the responsibility.

 

not sure the dealership is always taking responsibility

i ordered this oil:

Pep Boys

 

oil

 

anyone know how to do the work ?

 

I have done some A/C work but not on either of my Prii.
Are you just adding some refrigerant or is the system totally empty?
I can't tell what kind of top your oil has on it, there are oils meant to be poured into a system
That is open to the atmosphere and oils that are injected into a sealed system. Same oil just a different can design.
You will need a cheap thermometer to stick in your air vent also.

 

I recommend the repair manual. There are details you probably don't want to be getting through hearsay and googling if you want a successful outcome.

 

It is R134a, and the oil they put in my car they labeled as Hybrid AC compressor oil, they had to purchase because they did not have it.
The quantity they added was 2.5 ounces.

 

lino, much appreciated

 

someone else mentioned this: