The PAG viscosity rating for 'Genuine Honda A/C Compressor Oil' (below) isn't printed printed anywhere on the bottle.

You there... reading this... do you know? If so, can you paste a link in your reply citing a source for that information?

38897-PR7-A01AH

 

I have used PAG-46 oil as an equivalent and have heard that it was usable for Hondas/Acuras.

Denso has some information on it at this link:
https://www.denso-am.eu/media/corpor...g-old-and-new/

The link is more for the new type of refrigerant and oil, but they talk about the older stuff.

I know Denso is the manufacturer for most of Hondas A/C compressors.

 

Thanks for that link!

It says "DENSO uses ND-oil 8 for its R134a type refrigerant compressors, a PAG 46 oil."

I'm doing an evac/recharge of the system with the original compressor--which works perfectly--and I'm not keen on messing that up simply by dumping in the wrong viscosity oil. That said, I could just use 38897-PR7-A01AH and be done with it. But I'm also not keen on spending a bazillion dollars for OEM compressor oil when aftermarket of identical viscosity will suffice.

 

If you are just doing an evac and recharge I don't believe you need to add any oil. Only if you are replacing a part of the system. I do remember the FSM's from honda saying that for a few different cars that I have looked into. But they also don't specify how much to add when you replace the compressor, they just say to drain out the old one and subtract that from the total drained from the new one (or something like that, been awhile since I looked). lol

But they do give amounts for other components, like lines, evaporator, drier, etc..

 

I've got the Honda Service Manual handy... e'yup, you are correct on all counts. There doesn't seem to be specific language recommending adding oil as part of an evac/recharge. And sure enough, the HSM lists quantities for each system component--sans compressor, which uses the measurement procedure just as you mentioned. You've got a good memory!

The initial reason for my question: I intend to add UV dye during the recharge. I figured I'd use the combo UV dye/PAG-compressor-oil brew, and dump in the specified quantity. Turns out, it's a moot question: There's no spec.

I'll just add a smidgen of oil-compatible UV dye and call it done.

 

Looking at the decal under the hood of my 98 civic it says to use genuine synthetic pag oil specially made for the Honda compressor.