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A/C compressor oil question

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ilya980, Aug 1, 2024.

  1. ilya980

    ilya980 Junior Member

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    I need to replace a leaking A/C Condenser on a 2013 Toyota Prius C One (damaged by rocks flying through the grill). The service manual calls for adding 40cc of ND-11 oil when condenser is replaced. Is it ok to use A/C Certified Pro R134a Hybrid Vehicle Electric A/C Compressor Refrigerant oil from Autozone ($17.99 for 7 oz) or Honda A/C Oil POE ND-11 from Ebay ($29.99 for 40cc)? Is there any difference between them?

    How much oil should I add? Is there a way to estimate how much oil has leaked out and how much is left in the system? Is there a danger of overfilling the system with oil if I add 40cc as the manual suggests?

    Thanks.
     
    #1 ilya980, Aug 1, 2024
  2. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    As soon as you disconnect the condenser fittings you've lost virtually all the refridg.if there was any left in there after the rocks damaged it.
    Recommend vacing the system first, like the manual more than likely suggests somewhere in the procedure.
     
    #2 vvillovv, Aug 1, 2024
  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    It's not easy to estimate the amount that has leaked out, but a lot of cars have survived being a little high or a little low on ND-11 lube- fairly good tolerance.

    The bigger problem is getting exactly the right amount of refrigerant back in. When you do that step, have the supply bottle on a very accurate scale and do everything you can to get it within a few grams of the specification. Overall cooling capacity is highly dependent on hitting that target.
     
    #3 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Aug 1, 2024
  4. ilya980

    ilya980 Junior Member

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    Thanks. The manual says the standard refrigerant charge amount is 370g to 470g. It also says to charge an additional 100g after bubbles disappear. I have jewelry scales that go up to 500g, which I should be able to use with 340g (12 oz) cans. Hopefully, observing the bubbles disappear while charging the first can and then adding 100g puts me somewhere in the 370g-470g range. I am more concerned about the oil, because I have no idea how much is left in the system. Also, the Denso ND11 is much more expensive than the options I posted. Is it a bad idea to use Autozone's oil?
     
    #4 ilya980, Aug 2, 2024
  5. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I trust very little from Autozone, personally. Replacement compressors are not cheap. If I were in your shoes I'd probably spring for the Denso oil while using off-brand refrigerant.
     
    #5 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Aug 2, 2024
  6. ilya980

    ilya980 Junior Member

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    Where can I buy a 40cc can? I think, the part number is 08885-09129. Toyota US only sells 08885-09127, which is 250cc with MSRP of $317.36 and sold by online dealers for around $220. I only see European or Japanese sellers for the 08885-09129 (for example, amazon.jp sells it for around $35), but they don't ship to the US.
     
    #6 ilya980, Aug 2, 2024
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    How much does it cost to get the Honda oil from a Honda dealer?

    That might be a more trustworthy option than something from Autozone, and maybe you can get it for less than the gold-plated Toyota stuff.

    If I remember right, it was mentioned favorably in a recently-updated thread on ND-Oil 11 alternatives.
     
    #7 ChapmanF, Aug 2, 2024
  8. ilya980

    ilya980 Junior Member

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    Thanks. It looks discontinued by Honda and Acura dealers. Still can buy online. Price varies wildly between $6 and $70 for 40cc. Does it matter that it is not ND11?
     
    #8 ilya980, Aug 2, 2024
  9. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I can give no answer from my own knowledge, but refer to a recently-updated thread on ND-11 alternatives where others discussed it.
     
    #9 ChapmanF, Aug 2, 2024
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