Air Conditioning Compressor Oil Diagnosis

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: To avoid repeat compressor failure, always inspect the condition of the refrigerant oil and take the appropriate corrective action before installing the replacement compressor.

Condition	Corrective Action
Clean Oil no debris present	No corrective action necessary.
Clean Oil with debris present	Inspect the suction port of the replacement compressor for presence of a suction screen. If the Replacement Compressor does NOT contain a suction screen, Install Suction Screen in the line. Replace desiccant or component containing the desiccant. Replace desiccant filter if applicable. Remove and inspect high pressure side filter (if applicable). Remove, inspect, clean, or replace orifice tube. If the system has a front orifice tube and is equipped with a filter in the rear auxiliary line, remove, inspect, clean, or replace the filter. If the system has a front orifice tube and is not equipped with a filter in the rear auxiliary line, remove the filter in the auxiliary TXV and Install a universal inline A/C Filter P/N 89016656 (AC Delco P/N 15-10413) as close to the rear TXV as possible.
Dark brown/black and/or pungent/unusual odor with no debris present	Replace desiccant or component containing the desiccant. Replace desiccant filter if applicable. Flush refrigerant system.
Dark brown/black and/or pungent/unusual odor with debris present	Replace desiccant or component containing the desiccant. Replace desiccant filter if applicable. Flush refrigerant system. Inspect the suction port of the replacement compressor for presence of a suction screen. If the replacement compressor does NOT contain a suction screen, install suction screen. Remove and inspect high pressure side filter (if applicable). Remove, inspect, clean, or replace orifice tube. If the system has a front orifice tube and is equipped with a filter in the rear auxiliary line, remove, inspect, clean, or replace the filter. If the system has a front orifice tube and is not equipped with a filter in the rear auxiliary line, remove the filter in the auxiliary TXV and install a universal inline A/C Filter P/N 89016656 (AC Delco P/N 15-10413) as close to the rear TXV as possible.
Oil Overcharge	Flush refrigerant system.
Refrigerant Contamination	Flush refrigerant system.
Hybrid Polyolester Refrigerant Oil (POE) Contamination	Flush refrigerant system. Replace desiccant or component containing the desiccant. Replace desiccant filter if applicable.