Dealer Will Not Sell PAG Oil

[kornellred]

I went to the M-B dealer (Ray Catena in Edison NJ) today to purchase a drier desiccant element and sealing rings for an impending changeout of the ac compressor in my 2004 C240 (it works fine but makes an annoying whining sound - very undignified). I have a brand-new OEM compressor on hand, and plan to have the job done at an independent shop.

When I asked about getting the essential PAG oil for the compressor, I was told that it was available, but only in the shop. It is not sold over the counter.

I was wondering if this is a global M-B policy or simply a local decision. If the intent behind the policy is to discourage having ac work performed outside the dealer setting, then you would think that M-B would restrict the sale of all of the other AC components in a similar manner.

There are one or two authorized PAG oils besides the M-B branded formula, according to available literature.

Willie R.

Imagine that, an arrogant MB dealer.


Pag oil comes in different vicosities, and if you can figure out the proper viscosity for your car, any well stocked parts store will have the right Pag oil.

The real reason they don't want to sell you the Pag oil is probably because they use a generic oil from the local jobber. IMHO, of course.

[ILUVMILS]

Originally Posted by John Holmes III

Imagine that, an arrogant MB dealer.

Arrogant? Did I miss something? kornellred simply stated that the parts department told him that they didn't sell refrigeration oil over the counter. He never said they were arrogant.

[gmercoleza]

We have a local AC shop where I pick up PAG oil - do you have one near you? You might wanna check the yellow pages. Otherwise just pick up the correct weight from AutoZoo.

[stevebfl]

PAG 46 for Nippondenso compressors.

I'll wager they just didn't know the part number. Most MB fluids, lubricants, sealers, etc can be bought, if one can figure out the part number. The number is often only in service info which the parts guys don't have ready access to.

Originally Posted by ILUVMILS

Arrogant? Did I miss something? kornellred simply stated that the parts department told him that they didn't sell refrigeration oil over the counter. He never said they were arrogant.

I know he didn't, but I say they are arrogant, like many other MB dealers. I am old enough to remember what a real MB service and parts department is like.

[nhdoc]

I bought a canister of it last fall from my local dealer and there was no problem other than it was about 20X the quantity I needed to replace the receiver drier. I only needed about 2 oz. so I still have about 95% of it left. If you were nearby I'd give you all you needed for free. If you want to pay shipping I'd send you as much as you'd need.

[stevebfl]

We buy oil in 8oz containers because the oil absorbs moisture once it has been opened. We usually don't use a container more than on one car or two cars in the same day. If any is left we toss it.

[nhdoc]

Originally Posted by stevebfl

We buy oil in 8oz containers because the oil absorbs moisture once it has been opened. We usually don't use a container more than on one car or two cars in the same day. If any is left we toss it.

I don't know how much water the oil can absorb if the can is only opened once and then tightly closed. It would seem the amount of moisture in the small volume of air inside the can would be negligible. It would be different if you had a can left open to the air but I wouldn't worry too much about using A/C oil from a can that had been opened once and re-closed and stored.

Also, if you draw a real good vacuum and hold it for a long while before you charge, like overnight, it will draw out any moisture in the oil too.

As I recall it was at least $15-$20 for the can I bought at the dealership. I was replacing my condensor which had a slow leak and also decided to replace the receiver-drier while I had the system opened. The MB manual calls for something like 50ml of oil to be put into the R-D before you install it so that's all I needed, so maybe the can was 1L that they sold me.

If I owned a repair shop, I wouldn't put a 3 to 5 thousand dollar a/c repair at risk over hygroscopic a/c oil. Once the seal on the can is broken, no matter how tightly you screw the cap on, water wil get in.

[ILUVMILS]

Originally Posted by John Holmes III

Once the seal on the can is broken, no matter how tightly you screw the cap on, water wil get in.

In theory, this is correct. In the real world though, the story is quite different.

Nearly all high quality A/C recovery-recharging machines include an oil injection option. Usually, it's simply an externally mounted reservoir, and oil is added as needed. The reservoir doesn't require any special protection, and it's not a sealed unit. Any moisture that contaminates the oil in the reservoir is removed when the system is evacuated (as long as it's done correctly). Obviously, if the machine doesn't get used for an extended period, the oil in the reservoir should be replaced, but there's no reason to open a new, sealed can every time oil needs to be added to an A/C system.

[Ron in SC]

I bought a can a few years ago it was air conditioner compressor oil #Q1130001. It's a 250cc can that says MBNA PAG oil. It's Denso ND8 oil.

[nhdoc]

Originally Posted by ILUVMILS

In theory, this is correct. In the real world though, the story is quite different.

Nearly all high quality A/C recovery-recharging machines include an oil injection option. Usually, it's simply an externally mounted reservoir, and oil is added as needed. The reservoir doesn't require any special protection, and it's not a sealed unit. Any moisture that contaminates the oil in the reservoir is removed when the system is evacuated (as long as it's done correctly). Obviously, if the machine doesn't get used for an extended period, the oil in the reservoir should be replaced, but there's no reason to open a new, sealed can every time oil needs to be added to an A/C system.

This is basically my opinion on the subject...we all know everyone has their own opinions, but in reality, one of the reasons you evacuate a system is to rid it (and the oil in it) of most of the moisture in it. Pulling a near perfect vacuum and holding it for even an hour will probably get out 99% of the moisture in the system, including what miniscule amount gets absorbed by the oil...but if it makes people feel better to break open a new bottle of oil everytime they work on an A/C system that's their prerogative...surely the people who make and sell the oil won't want to discourage that