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Hello,
If you'll look up the FULL specs of both PAG and Ester (100) A/C oils, I think you'll be plesently impressed that the cheaper of the two is the better of the two. PAG oil will NOT mix with your old mineral oil, and to use it, you really need to get as much of the old oil out as you can (mineral oil does not suspend well in R134a.
Ester (100) oil (polyester based and available @ any parts store, comes in most aftermarket kits) will actually mix with your old mineral oil and keep it suspended in the new refrigerant. It's also a MUCH better lubricant with much better viscostiy scores. To use it, you simply flush out the system with a cheap can of flush from your local parts store,,,,,,,,,.........,,,,,,,, EXCEPT the compressor, disconnect the hoses from the compressor and leave whatever oil is in it there.
The only change I've made on ANY of my Volvos is the desicant (reciever/dryer). The desicant in the original system will actually absorb PAG or Ester oils, which not only reduces the amount of oil availble to the system, but also (and more importantly) will not allow the desicant to do it's job and absorb moisture (Deadly to an A/C compressor).
My 740 has had over 100k since the conversion and my wife's has nearly 60k, I've had only ONE hose blow and it was in poor shape to start with. Was on my old 78 245 and still lasted nearly a year (southern heat, so MUCH a/c useage).
Hope this helps somewhat,
Frank
PS: There is the argument that "If Ester's better than PAG, then why would the auto industry go with PAG?". Well, First off, the Big 3 set the pace in defaults since it's now tied to almost every single forien company out there..........
The 1st release GM 700R4 was leaps and bounds a better transmission than any of the series to date. Why would they do that? Why go backwards to a less reliable part? Easy question, look up "engineered obsolescence". You can also find the full story of PAG vs. Ester. Both are good, Ester's better in all cases and MUCH easier in conversions.
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