When cleaning up after a compressor burnout, immediately after you recover the refrigerant, you should

• A. Change the compressor oil
• B. Replace the accumulator
• C. Replace the condenser
• D. Add more refrigerant

Answer: (A)

When a compressor burns out, the oil in the system becomes heavily contaminated with burnt residues, acids, and varnish. Replacing the compressor oil right after you’ve recovered the refrigerant removes this degraded oil and the contaminants that would damage a new compressor or impair lubrication. This is the essential first cleanup step to protect the replacement compressor and restore proper lubrication. After that, you’d typically replace the filter-dryer/accumulator to remove remaining acids and moisture and then evacuate and recharge, rather than trying to salvage the existing oil or add more refrigerant. Replacing the condenser or simply adding refrigerant wouldn’t address the contaminated oil and could lead to further problems.