New Refrigerant Oil Injectors Help Prevent Cross-Contamination (A11020G)

NEW REFRIGERANT OIL INJECTORS HELP PREVENT CROSS-CONTAMINATION

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

SERVICE INFORMATION

If you're working on an A/C system with a high-voltage compressor that uses POE refrigerant oil, cross-contamination is a big  concern. Just a bit of PAG oil in that system can mean some pricey parts replacement. And over time under the right conditions, it could even deliver a dangerous electrical shock. That's why we stress not using leak dye in those systems; the dye is suspended in PAG oil.

To help prevent cross-contamination, the latest A/C machines come without  on-board oil injection.

To add refrigerant oil, you've got two  options:

• Use an oil injector.
• Add it directly to the system.

Adding Oil With Injectors 

All Honda dealers were sent a pair of oil injectors last December.

The one with the orange  label (P/N ROB18490) is for POE oil; the one with the white  label (P/N ROB18480) is for PAG oil. Models currently using POE oil are all Accord Hybrids and '06-11 Civic Hybrids. All other models, including '03-05 Civic Hybrids and all Insights use PAG oil.

The injector connects to the suction (low) service valve and can add oil to a system that's empty or under operating pressure. It's actually easier to do this with the system running, since that's when the suction pressure is the lowest. Don't  try adding oil after evacuation when the system is under a vacuum. Air will get sucked in around the injector's plunger seal, and you'll need to evacuate the system all over again.

You might be wondering what happens if you fill an injector with the wrong oil. Well, that depends entirely on which oil and which injector.

• If you fill the PAG oil injector with POE oil, there's no cross-contamination sensitivity so you're OK. Just clean out the injector with mild shop solvent and let it air dry.
• If you fill the POE oil injector with PAG oil, you'll need to replace that injector. There's just no way to clean it enough to ensure there's no PAG oil left, and just a bit of cross-contamination is a big  problem.

If you need to replace those injectors, or you just want to order some extras, they're available online from the Honda Tool and Equipment Program. From the iN main menu, click on SERVICE.  You can then click on either Service Bay  and Tool and Equipment Program  or eMall  and Tool & Equipment.  Either way takes you to the Online Catalog.  Once there, enter the tool number in the empty box and click on Search  . You're taken right to the order page.

Of course, if you don't have online access, you can always give the Tool and Equipment folks a call at 888-424-6857.  They'll be glad to help you.

Adding Oil Directly 

You can also add refrigerant oil directly to the system. Just add the right amount of oil called out in ISIS to the part(s) you're replacing or into an open A/C line. The oil will balance within the parts as the system runs.