On Board Air, York Compressor Oil?

[Hedgehog]

So, when I received my nice old but healthy AMC 360 it came with a York air compressor installed. Very cool opportunity for an On Board Air System. So the engine was installed, the clutch was checked for proper operation and passed, but I didn't actually run the compressor at the time. Now the engine is in place and running well. Time to check out the compressor.




The yard I got the engine from had placed caps over the suction and pressure ports. I removed the suction cap and left the pressure cap, just to see what the compressor would do. With the engine running I hit the clutch with power. The cap, well there was a tiny explosion and the cap came flying off. Chuckle! . Now for the meat of the thread. What seemed like a lot of oil came out of the compressor. After a little while the flow reduced but never completely stopped. Is this normal? I frequently see oil air separators on OBS systems, is this the reason?

A side question, where do I replace the oil in a laid down York compressor (for those that watch, no I haven't done this specific search, but will after posting this)?

 

[caveman]

Most likely the oil that came out of the compressor is the remnants of the freon that was left in the compressor. Or, The yard where you got it put some oil in it so it wouldn't rust.

 

[IOPort51]

One of the caps flew off, what happened to the other cap? If the inlet is blocked it will, perhaps, pump oil.

I had always understood the York compressor was the best choice for OBA because it is the only automotive Compressor that does not pump oil.

 

[Hedgehog]

So, when I received my nice old but healthy AMC 360 it came with a York air compressor installed. Very cool opportunity for an On Board Air System. So the engine was installed, the clutch was checked for proper operation and passed, but I didn't actually run the compressor at the time. Now the engine is in place and running well. Time to check out the compressor.




The yard I got the engine from had placed caps over the suction and pressure ports. I removed the suction cap and left the pressure cap, just to see what the compressor would do. With the engine running I hit the clutch with power. The cap, well there was a tiny explosion and the cap came flying off. Chuckle! . Now for the meat of the thread. What seemed like a lot of oil came out of the compressor. After a little while the flow reduced but never completely stopped. Is this normal? I frequently see oil air separators on OBS systems, is this the reason?

A side question, where do I replace the oil in a laid down York compressor (for those that watch, no I haven't done this specific search, but will after posting this)?

IOPort51 - Please refer to the words in red. I don't know if they are preferred due to the fact that they don't produce oil, but the fact that they don't need the oil in the Freon like others do. I'm hoping the pump is in good condition, it certainly pumps air.

 

[Peanut Butter]

Since I use to build these things for Borg Warner let me take a stab at your questions and experience. Yes there could have been oil left from the oil mixed with freon. But, given the fact that the compressor is on its side, it most likely was oil from the reservoir in the bottom end of the compressor. The compressor is like a little engine. There is a crank, a piston or two, valves, etc. The valves are just Small vanes. Most likely the oil worked its way past the valves while sitting, and blew out when started. There should be an oil port in the side of the compressor to check the oil level. This is what makes these good compressors to use for an on board air system. You will always get some oil in the air even with this system, but it will be Limited . I suggest you refrain from further testing until you get everything hooked up right. You wouldn't want to ruin a good compressor. The original designed called for a vertically mounted compressor, but it was later discovered that they could be laid on their side also, just not recommended. Rod

 

[Hedgehog]

Peanut Butter - Thanks for the reply. In the picture above there is a bolt on top of the compressor, is that the oil port?

I only ran the compressor for a couple minutes to see if the oil would stop flowing, generally it did, but a small amount continued to ooze out. It sounds like this is normal for this compressor and I shouldn't worry. I am wondering though, how would running the compressor damage it? Does it need back pressure to function properly?
Thanks.

 

[Peanut Butter]

I would be afraid that you lost some of the engine oil. Yes that is a fill spot. Here is a picture that shows the inside better. Rod

 

[Peanut Butter]

PS. you want to use compressor oil to refill it. Just like your shop air compressor. Rod

 

[Hedgehog]

Is there a dip stick of some sort or do you fill to some level or fill it to the top? What kind of oil is best. The oil that came out was about 20 wt.

 

[mstar]

Kilbys sells a dip stick. check out there site .Lot of info and prices a little high on some stuff.If money is a consideration you can take the head off and drill and tap for 3/8" NPT. I just used 10-30 motor oil but compressor oil would probably be the correct spec. Mike

 

[hole]

The York makes for a good air compressor conversion because it has a reserve of oil in the bottom end very similar to dedicated air compressors. The difference is that the oil is supposed to migrate through the refrigerant lines with the freon. For the York to live a long life as an air compessor, it needs to be upright and oil must be checked and added as Peanutbutter mentioned.

 

[Peanut Butter]

I had not seen that site, KILBYS. Lot of good information there, also nice to see that someone supports these compressors. 14 oz of oil or go to the web sit and build your own dipstick from the info page. Rod

 

[Hedgehog]

Man another brain burn to deal with. Back when I had the front of the engine off I asked about the proper position of the pump. Then it would have been easy to turn up. But, someone, and I can't remember who, mentioned that the York compressor needed all the support it could get. The Wagoneer certainly had pleny of support in their bracket arrangement and the compressor certainly ran for a long time in the stock sideways position so I left it in it the way AMC designed it to be. Now and the logic is certainly sound, I'm getting advice that says the compressor should be upright to work properly. Decission time is at hand. I think I'll leave it the way it is and watch the oil accumulate in the air/oil seperator. That should be a good indicator for oil consumption. Honestly I have no idea if this is the right decission. I've seen these compressors in both upright and laid down positions used as OBA compressors. What is the perfect solution???????????????

 

[mstar]

I wouldn't get to worked up over the position. Not all advice you get on the internet is 100% accurate.Were talkin a very small amount of oil that goes out the supply line with the air. What I have read and my own experience is that it works just fine in horizontal position. It is preferred to have the intake on top but again not a deal breaker.To me it would not be worth the trouble to re-mount your compressor.If you look at the compressor the oil reservoir is lower than cylinders so it's not just pumping oil out like crazy. think of a VW flat four or other flat (opposed cylinder ) design engines. Anyway that's my 2 penny's worth. Mike

 

[Peanut Butter]

The York A?C Compressor was used in many vehicles to include Jaguars. About half were mounted upright and the other half on their side. Never said it wouldn't work, just that the manufacturer recommended upright. The reason for this is the lack of an oil pump in a piston - crankshaft design. The oil in the bottom of the case lubricates everything better in the upright position. As long as you maintain the proper amount of oil in the bottom half of the case, it will work for years on it's side. Just something to think about as opposed to the freon/oil mix compressors that don't have a separate oil reservoir. As for mounting the York, the case was designed to be mounted by four bolts in the main body of the case. The case itself is plenty strong enough, unless you try to mount it with one bolt on the bottom and one bolt near the top. Thats when you get into trouble. And there are people out there that try it. You should have a good setup HedgeHog with no worries. I can tell you are good at routine maintenance. Rod

 

[Hedgehog]

And that closes this chapter in my indecisive mind. From now on I will be absolutely solid in the location of the compressor and the amount of oil lost when in use. The thing more than likely won't be used a great deal, that is unless I change my wicked ways. Hmmmmmm, I've heard that it's easier to skin a coyote if you blow some air under the skin......... Hmmmm, I already use a come-a-long to skin, I suppose my 12,000 lb. winch cound handle that little chore from now on.

 

[AeroMoto]

This thread got me interested in OBA. I see on Kilby's website the model 210. Is this the correct model for an AMC 360? I saw a guy had one for sale on craigslist here for $200 and thought about jumping on it. I'm guessing I'll need a bracket from an AMC 360 (Wagoneer or other). What else would a guy need to add one? Regulators and lines, etc? Sorry for the thread derail.

 

[Hedgehog]

AeroMoto - $200 for a used compressor seems a little high. Find a junk yard that has a Wagoneer and get the bracket with the compressor. I honestly don't know the model of mine, it came with the engine.

More oil stuff: While digging around on the Kilby site I noticed that they sell an oil recovery kit that collects the oil and returns it to the pump.

 

[Peanut Butter]

The oil recovery kit should be for compressors other than the York.

I don't remember model numbers, sorry. You could try to look it up in the parts catalog. Differences were mainly size (small vs large) and placement of suction and discharge. You would want large with top left hand suction. Model 210 I think. Rod

 

[AeroMoto]

Hedgehog, it's a new compressor, never installed I think. He's also selling the regulator, filters, fittings, etc (his words not mine). $200 for the compressor, $375 for the whole kit. Good deal?