1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

AC Oil Charge

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by vertex, Sep 13, 2009.

  1. vertex

    vertex Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2009
    670
    143
    0
    Location:
    new york
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I was at my local auto parts store this morning and I noticed that you can now purchase hybrid oil charge cans made by AC Pro for about $8.00. This is the way to go if you need to add oil to your AC, or if you need to recharge the system, rather then buying a larger bottle of oil for $35, as I did recently.
     
    #1 vertex, Sep 13, 2009
  2. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,038
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    How can we be certain that it really is compatible with the compressor motor electricals? Switching from Toyota could be false economy.
     
    #2 richard schumacher, Sep 14, 2009
  3. vertex

    vertex Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2009
    670
    143
    0
    Location:
    new york
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    OK, skeptics abound.
    Here is a link where compatability is specified.

    Certified A/C Pro Automotive A/C Compressor Oil from Interdynamics Inc.

    from the link:

    IDQ offers the Certified A/C Pro Automotive A/C Compressor Oil, a synthetic dielectric-formula lubricant specifically designed for use in electric or belt/electric compressors found in many hybrid vehicle A/C systems. Available in 7 oz. pourable bottles and 3 oz. pressurized oil-charge cans, graphics this oil offers compatibility with Toyota's ND-11 and Honda's 38899RCJA01 OE compressor lubricants.

    Good enough for me.
     
    #3 vertex, Sep 14, 2009
  4. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,038
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    And will they pay for any repairs if necessary? Call me a skeptic if you must but somehow I doubt that they would make good on Toyota's warranty.
     
    #4 richard schumacher, Sep 16, 2009
  5. vertex

    vertex Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2009
    670
    143
    0
    Location:
    new york
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    ID is not a fly by night outfit. I am sure they will stand behind their claims. I am also sure Toyota will gladly take your money for their over priced products. The choice is yours, but now at least you have options.
     
    #5 vertex, Sep 16, 2009
    Sammydog likes this.
  6. nthach

    nthach New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2009
    174
    10
    0
    ID does make those infamous death kits, which have been known to kill compressors and plug up AC lines and dryer/receivers.

    I'd stick to the OEM Toyota oil. Hybrid HVAC works like your home's HVAC system with a hermetically-sealed compressor - and the lube oil is in constant contact with the motor windings as the motor and compressor are not separately encased. If you opened up a compressor for stationary HVAC or refrigeration - except a recip one, you can see the compressor mechanism and the naked motor that runs it. Hence the reason for a POE oil - PAGs have a slight tendency to conduct electricity and are much more hygroscopic.
     
    #6 nthach, Sep 17, 2009
  7. vertex

    vertex Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2009
    670
    143
    0
    Location:
    new york
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Well, sounds like a skull and cross bones is on that kit.

    We know why this is special oil, but there are other oils around besides the Toyota stuff, and I have it in my car from CarQuest, works fine.
     
    #7 vertex, Sep 17, 2009
  8. nthach

    nthach New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2009
    174
    10
    0
    I'm thinking Emkarate RL POE oil can work in this application - however, Nu-Calgon/Johnstone/Grainger only stocks the ISO 32/46/68 viscosities - and who knows what Denso specs for viscosity.

    For the record, I have some ID PAG46 oil in a beater van we have - I have no problems with their virgin oils without the sealers and o-ring conditioners.
     
    #8 nthach, Sep 18, 2009
  9. vertex

    vertex Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2009
    670
    143
    0
    Location:
    new york
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    That's interesting. I know that Steve Woodruff uses the CarQuest stuff, and I used it based on his recommendation. Since he does lots of cars, it should be OK.
    I haven't used the ID product, but if I didn't have a nearly full bottle of the CarQuest oil, and I needed to add oil, I would have used the ID charge. If anyone uses the ID oil charge, let us know your experience.
     
    #9 vertex, Sep 18, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)