Empty system and oil contamination

chris_h_k · September 01, 2016, 03:24:15 PM

Hi guys,

I have a question. If a r407c system with POE oil has a leak, and is totally empty. Will all the oil in the system then be contaminated? And if so, will the changing of the filter drier be sufficient for getting rid of the newly developed acids in the system?

walker · September 02, 2016, 05:23:46 PM

you may want to add a suction line filter drier, and go back and remove the suction line drier and replace the liquid line drier if you are concerned with acid, was this a burnout scenario?

chris_h_k · September 03, 2016, 03:01:40 AM

Thanks. In this case it was just a leak.

walker · September 03, 2016, 08:29:16 AM

it was completely empty from the leak? I would repair the leak, and replace the filter drier and give it a good vacuum.

rmuntz · September 05, 2016, 06:55:30 PM

POE oil is extremely hygroscopic (absorbs moisture). If exposed to atmosphere for any length of time it will absorb the moisture out of the air. Generally, driers and vacuuming will not remove this moisture and an oil change is the best remedy. If there is a filter drier in the system it must be located indoors, any moisture the FD does absorb will freeze in the winter and the drier could crack.

Sergroum · September 09, 2016, 05:57:55 PM

Interesting. Lennox xc14 air conditioners have the liquid filter drier already installed inside the condenser.

walker · September 09, 2016, 06:12:58 PM

Quote from: Sergroum on September 09, 2016, 05:57:55 PM
Interesting. Lennox xc14 air conditioners have the liquid filter drier already installed inside the condenser.

Quite a few brands these do, look at Amana/Goodman units.

Benefits to that is you don't always need to expose them atmosphere when doing certain repairs.