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Vacuum Pump Oil in AC System?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Dan D., Sep 24, 2016.

  1. Dan D.

    Dan D. Junior Member

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    I think that I might have accidently gotten vacuum pump oil in my 2005 Prius AC system when I was pumping it down before recharging it with R-134a. I realize that this could be a big problem. Is it possible to completely flush the system? If so, how?

    Background Info...
    • After installing a new condenser and pumping down the system for about 45 minutes, I am fairly certain that I completely turned off both of the valves on my manifold gauges before turning off the vacuum pump. I do wonder if I did not turn the valves completely off?

    • Shortly thereafter, I noticed what I think was oil in the manifold gauge's sight glass. I immediately disconnected the yellow hose going into the manifold set from the vacuum pump. I would estimate that 1-2 oz of oil came out of the disconnected end of the yellow hose. I am fairly certian this oil is from the vacuum pump. Let me know if you think it was something else...

    • The vacuum did NOT hold on the system. I think this is because I either did not have the hoses connected to the system well or that I did not connect the condenser right--maybe one of the o-rings is not seated correctly or is damaged? I realize that I will need to work this out before recharging the system. I am prepared to troubleshoot this issue.

    • When I inspected the fittings on the blue and red hoses I did not detect any oil. Nor did I see any oil come out of the blue or red hoses connected to the manifold.

    • I am not sure that the vacuum pump oil went into the system, but I want to know how I can be assured of a clean system before I recharge it. Any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated.
     
    #1 Dan D., Sep 24, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2016
  2. drysider

    drysider Active Member

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    It is pretty difficult for vacuum oil to get in the system. My thought is it was refrigerant oil.
     
  3. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Goto the dealer or a shop that truly specializes and is competent w/ hybrid AC systems, vs just advertising that they are hybrid specialists.

    1) Have the system evacuated, flushed, tested for leaks, then recharge.
    2) You should have a dedicated Toyota Hybrid AC manifold gauge. You probably used your existing AC gauge set or rented one from a chain store that has been use don conventional AC systems.
     
  4. Dan D.

    Dan D. Junior Member

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    drysider-- Thanks for your help. Is it common for refrigerant oil to come out after pumping down a system? If so, should I also notice oil in the low and high side hoses that were connected to the system?
     
  5. drysider

    drysider Active Member

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    There is oil throughout the system. More common on the low side. Not unusual to get in the hoses.
     
  6. Dan D.

    Dan D. Junior Member

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    Thanks again for all of your help. Based on the feedback from this thread and from a similar question I posted on the car talk website, I am going to assume that I don't have vacuum pump oil in my system, find the leak and recharge the system. I will let you all know how it goes... --Dan.
     
  7. Dan D.

    Dan D. Junior Member

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    I wanted to give an update. About a year after the repair, the ac is working fine. Last October, I found that I had a leak in one of the connections on my gauges by using dye. Once I tightened that down, I charged up the system and it has been working great for a year now. Thanks again for all of the help.
     
    valde3 likes this.
  8. mickyjohn

    mickyjohn New Member

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    very well i like very much.