Question:
I recently read an article about a York air conditioning compressor
being suitable for mobile air on a truck, and I went and dug one out of
my junk pile and opened it up. The article said that it was suitable
because it was a piston-type with its own oil resivoir, however, I see
some potential problems:
It does not have what I see as oil level plugs, just some plugs up way
higher than the crankshaft. The connecting rod caps also do not have
the little oil-dip projections I have seen on purpose-built air
compressors. It has a little passage from the suction side chamber that
looks as if it is drilled into the pulley side ball bearing. I assume
this is to drain oil returned from the evap into the crankcase, thereby
lubing the bearing. My question is, what type of oil should I use and
how should I fill it?
Answer:
The problem with using an AC compressor for air is that it isn't design-
ed to keep oil from passing the rings and will, therefore, pump a lot of
oil into your air system and require frequent fillups.
The oil level in the York compressor is measured with a homemade dip-
stick through one of the fill plugs on either side. The level depends
on the angle of mounting but typically about 1.5 inches. The compressor
has an oil pump on the end of the crankshaft so the rods are pressure
lubed. 30 wt. oil will probably be OK.
If I remember right, these pumps were intended to be mounted either
vertical or horizontal in only one direction. In other words there is a
difference between a right and left. To be safe, mount it vertical.
