Hi rstarkie,



Q1: I am confused about which receiver/dryer port I pour the PAG oil into. Does it go into the port on the condenser side (large pipe entering the front) or the evaporator pipe out the side?

A: Use the side port on the receiver/drier (arrowed). Not that big front pipe in the photo.




Q2: As an aside I did replace the orifice tube today. To the best of my knowledge the system is original other than a compressor discharge hose ten years ago and the recently replaced condenser. I don't know if the amount of crud on the orifice tube is normal or not. It doesn't seem like a lot for 25 years of service.

A: Those are moderate wear particles (tiny aluminium bits) on the tube's mesh. The tube in photo also shows blackened mesh which is caused by finer wear particles (fine as graphite powder) all of which came from compressor. A better looking tube would show just few wear particles without blackened mesh. For 25 years of service I think this acceptable. Important thing is the tube is dry and there is no sludge on it.


I don't think a flush is warranted in this case. As you'll be replacing components and adding more fresh oil those remaining wear particles (the fine graphite type) will be diluted out causing minimal wear.

Amarin.