I am rehab'ing the AC system in an '05 CRD. The factory manual indicates SP15 oil, which is a proprietary Sanden oil... but it's a Denso compressor on the CRD (vs Sanden on the gasser). That may not matter, but it's confusing. Every aftermarket site I've referenced shows to use PAG46, which is approximately equivalent but not quite the same.

Further, I can't find a spec for initial oil fill on the compressor - the FSM simply says "measure what was there and replace it." The problem for me is that I have zero confidence the system was properly evacuated (specific reason to believe it was not!) and I can't trust what came out, which was less than 1oz.

I have the compressor, condenser, all lines, and accumulator out. The only thing still in the truck is the evaporator. The FSM indicates total system capacity is 8oz, and the evaporator is 2oz. Does it seem reasonable for me to blow out all the loose components, put 6oz in and call it a day?

Edit: Looks like the '05 FSM says SD15, the '06 FSM says ND8, and the aftermarket says PAG46. Sweet.

Usually the compressor holds 60% of the total capacity, and PAG46 is what you want to use.

The system holds 8oz total and if you feel that you had most of it out, 6oz is what I would put in as a minimum, A little too much oil is no big deal !

My 2C as a professional mechanic... just put PAG46 in and don’t worry about it, the mixing is fine...


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Pag is universally compatible, and why not split the difference if you are not flushing all the components with acetone.... And just put in 7 ounces?

More important than that, is properly and DEEPLY vacuuming the system after it is assembled.

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I have read that Denso ND8 is a PAG46-based oil, but includes additional lubricants and *not* using it can cause damage to Denso compressors over the long haul. I am pretty sure I'm out of PAG46 and need to buy new anyway, so there's no reason not to buy the right stuff I suppose.

Is there any reason to believe the '05 FSM is *wrong* about the compressor using Sanden oil, and the '06 manual is *right* and it should be ND8?

I'm onboard with using 7oz... whatever is trapped in the evaporator can't be that much - I could always blow it out with compressed air. An extra oz or two isn't gonna hurt anybody. I will not be cleaning with acetone, but as the compressor and accumulator will be new, it'll be "relatively" clean. The hoses and condenser have been pretty thoroughly drained over the last year.

A weird thing I've not seen before: Usually when buying a new compressor, the instructions indicate to empty the compressor and refill with the correct oil. That is not the case on this new Denso (not aftermarket, not reman) compressor. Its instructions indicate to NOT empty it, but instead turn the compressor by hand several times to "free the stored lubricant" and then add oil as normal.

In case anyone finds this and wonders, the part number for ND8 oil is Q1130001, and it's readily available at any Mercedes or MINI dealership. Local foreign parts specialists (aptly named Foreign Parts Specialists) stock it at a discount. Solved!

In case anyone finds this and wonders, the part number for ND8 oil is Q1130001, and it's readily available at any Mercedes or MINI dealership. Local foreign parts specialists (aptly named Foreign Parts Specialists) stock it at a discount. Solved!

The instruction on the Denso are a bit confusing !!!!!

If you turn it several time you have quite a bit of oil coming out, and when you install it the ports are on the side so you loose a bit there as well.....

Like I said earlier, better a little bit much than not enough !