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Duracool refrigerant oil?

Crude dude on Thu September 13, 2012 3:21 PM User is offline

Year: 2000
Make: Ford
Model: Excursion
Engine Size: 7.3
Refrigerant Type: 134a
Ambient Temp: 95
Pressure Low: 45
Pressure High: 220

Does anyone have any comments about Duracool refrigerant oil? I have used it in the last dozen or so services that I have done and all seemed to work fine so far but I wanted to hear if there is anything bad about this "all in one" oil before I continue to use it.

iceman2555 on Sat September 15, 2012 10:37 AM User is offlineView users profile

Duracool® A/C Oil Chill™ with OEM approved U/V Leak Detection Dye
Duracool® A/C Oil Chill is the only Mobile Air-Conditioning Lubricant you need !
Many A/C Lubricants will absorb up to 40% of their weight in moisture, moisture in the system is one of the leading cause of A/C Failures.

Duracool® A/C Oil Chill will reduce compressor noise, reduce compressor operating temperatures and improve heat transfer in the evaporator and condenser resulting in a decreased vent temperature. The result is colder air blowing from the vents and less load on the system.
Duracool® A/C Oil Chill™ will not absorb moisture and has a low miscibility, low miscibility means that more oil stays in the compressor where it's needed.

Duracool® A/C Oil Chill™ has superior high temperature performance and a high degree of oxidation resistance. Duracool® A/C Oil Chill™ is the only oil you need for all mobile Air-Conditioning systems. For "Top-Up" or "Fill-Ups" Duracool® A/C Oil Chill™ is the only logical choice. Duracool® A/C Oil Chill™ is available in 4 oz. charging cans, 8 oz. and 1 liter bottles and is the perfect companion for existing systems or compressor replacements. The OEM approved U/V leak detection dye will aid in pinpointing even the smallest system leak. Recent testing has shown that a combination of Duracool 502a refrigerant and Duracool® A/C Oil Chill™ has resulted in over a 45 degree F reduction of compressor body operating temperatures in commercial reefer applications. Duracool® A/C Oil Chill™ may be used safely in most air-conditioning systems. (Duracool 12a®, Duracool 22a®, Duracool 502a®, CFC-12, R-134a, R-22, and R-502.) Using Duracool® A/C Oil Chill™ can not void a Manufactures warranty.


Is this the 'magic' lube in your post. This was the only DuraCool lube, able to locate on the net. Sure sounds like great stuff....will not absorb moisture.....low miscibility......decreases compressor case temperatures.....I wonder why the remainder of the AC world has not discovered this 'wonderful alexia' to solve all our AC performance/longevity problems. Can it be that this one company that produces such products as an 'explosive' refrigerant has truly stumbled upon the source of never failing compressors......sounds fantastic....wonderful......sounds....like....like....SNAKE OIL !!!

It appears that this is merely a PAO synthetic lubricant...similar to others used in the automotive market today. Not sure about it's use in AC systems. AC compressors require a specific viscosity lubricant and it is not indicated the viscosity of this lubricant. If the lubricant is too heavy, the shoes/bearings/and swash plate will not be properly lubricated and the compressor longevity is decreased. PAG 100 should not be used in a Ford FS 10/18 or 20 series compressor. It is to heavy for proper lubrication of these units. It is interesting to note that the claim for reduced compressor temperature is in 'commercial reefer applications' and not automotive ac compressors. This may be a valid statement for these units and not for automotive AC compressors. If this lubricant is to be used in your vehicles..why not simply purchase it in another form....synthetic motor oil...it is cheaper....much cheaper. However, if you decided to utilize this lubricant and the compressor fails....be man enough to simply 'eat' your mistake and do not run back to your supplier complaining about the "POS' compressor he sold you and demanding a replacement.

Oh, yes, please contact this company and inquire if they will warranty your compressor when it fails. The use of this chemical will VOID your warranty with most compressor manufacturers.....and yes, we can test and determine what chemicals are utilized.

The cost of OE PAGs is well within an acceptable market and they have been proven over millions of miles of operation. Insure that your choice is a good product...there are PAGs offered in the market that are as suspect as DuraCool. A recommendation would be any of the products produced by BVA. Not a fan of their 'universal' esters when used in a OE system....back to the viscosity issue...but they manufacture OE quality products.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

Crude dude on Sun September 16, 2012 3:09 AM User is offline

That's what I needed to hear, an honest opinion. I have a feeling it's too good to be true as well. On another note, I have a built in fault where I do not accuse others for my mishaps. I still have the compressor off of my Excursion on my bench that lasted 2 weeks. Was it this oil...was it a poor flush job...was it a bad compressor? I will never know because I took the risk to install it myself. I've replaced the entire system again and have similar pressures with slightly better results so I'm curious if this oil could be causing poor cooling somehow.

pippo on Sun September 16, 2012 2:46 PM User is offline

I dunno- to atribute the comp failure cuz of the oil- unless ,hey, if you used the wrong specified type, or added way too little, I dont see oil causing immediate catastrophe. Its pretty well known adding slightly less oil causes cooler air, more oil, less cool, but the comp is protected better with the later. Guess one has to dismantle the whole comp, and see whats inside, acess the damages, if even thats possible. Even doctors/pathologists sometimes cantt determine what caused someones death.....

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Edited: Sun September 16, 2012 at 3:53 PM by pippo

pippo on Sun September 16, 2012 4:04 PM User is offline

Quote


It appears that this is merely a PAO synthetic lubricant...similar to others used in the automotive market today.


Iceman,

PAO is not this Duracool oil- at least, as far as I have researched. PAO is a straight chain HC with one or more double bonds linking Carbon atoms in the molecule- easily verified by anyone who got a C in Organic Chem. Duracool, at least, is an amine compound. It may be a blend, but if it is, they are keeping secret about it, and risking big fines by OSHA. One like jme could bust their rear end bad about it, but why bother.........

just figured Id post this for the record.

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beware of the arrival

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