York YCIV, YCAV, YVAA and YCAS Style G air-cooled screw chillers all take York "L" oil. York's spare parts tables list it as 011-00592-000 (Oil, Compressor, Type "L", 5 gallon). Forms 201.23-NM2 (YCIV), 201.21-NM1 (YCAV), 201.28-NM1.1 (YVAA) and 201.19-NM1 (YCAS Style G) all say to charge "clean oil of the correct type ("L" oil)," and 201.19-NM1 notes that "The oil utilized is a POE oil."
Which York screw chillers use L oil, and how much do they hold?
| Chiller (York form) | Oil | Oil quantity per the manual |
|---|---|---|
| YCIV Style A, YCIV0157 to 0397, 60 Hz (201.23-NM2) | "L" oil, 011-00592-000 in the recommended spare parts table (listed for R-134a/R-513A units in the current issue) | Approximately 4 to 5 gal in each refrigerant system |
| YCAV Style A, YCAV0157 to 0267, 60 Hz (201.21-NM1) | "L" oil, 011-00592-000 in Recommended Spare Parts | Approximately 4-5 gallons in each refrigerant system, about 1-2 gallons in each oil separator |
| YVAA Style A, frames 015 to 052 (201.28-NM1.1) | "L" oil | Approximately 2 to 3.1 gallons (7.5 to 11.6 liters) in each refrigerant system |
| YCAS Style G, YCAS0130 to 0230, 60 Hz (201.19-NM1) | YORK Type L, 5 gal 011-00592-000, POE | Approximately 5 gallons in the entire chiller system, 1-2 gallons in the oil separator |
| YVWA (201.30-ICOM1) | YORK L oil | 2.4 gallons (9 liters) for the compressor |
Use the oil type the manual names for your unit. The YVAA (201.28-NM1.1) and YCAS Style G (201.19-NM1) manuals say only genuine YORK approved oils must be used.
How do you add L oil to a YCIV, YCAV, YVAA or YCAS?
The YCIV, YCAV, YVAA and YCAS Style G manuals give the same method:
- Connect a YORK hand oil pump (Part No. 470-10654-000) to the 1/4 in. oil charging valve on the oil separator piping. Use a length of clean hose or copper line, and leave the flare nut loose.
- Using clean "L" oil, pump until all air is purged from the hose, then tighten the nut.
- Stroke the pump to add oil to the oil system.
The YVWA is different. Form 201.30-ICOM1 says the YVWA "DOES NOT HAVE an oil pump." Add oil only if the level can't be seen in the lower sight glass, and remove oil only if the level is above the upper sight glass.
Where should the oil level be?
| Chiller | Oil level guidance |
|---|---|
| YCIV (201.23-NM2) and YCAV (201.21-NM1) | At commissioning: between the middle of the lower and the middle of the upper sight glasses of the oil separator. Avoid levels above the top sight glass. At maintenance: check after about half an hour at full load. The level should be between the upper and lower sight glasses. |
| YVAA (201.28-NM1.1) | Oil level "will typically run below the bottom of the sight glass." It shows only after 15 to 30 minutes at full compressor speed. Don't run with oil above the sight glass, and don't mistake a full glass for an empty one. At commissioning, avoid levels above the middle of the top sight glass. |
| YCAS Style G (201.19-NM1) | Between the middle of the lower and the middle of the upper sight glasses of the oil separator. |
Too much oil is a problem too. The YVAA manual warns that a high level "may cause excessive oil carryover in the system."
When does York say to change the oil?
Change it on oil analysis, not on the calendar. The YCIV and YVAA maintenance tables list "Sample Compressor Oil, check for Acid, and replace if necessary." The YCAS Style G schedule lists "Sample compressor oil and replace oil if necessary." Form 201.30-ICOM1 gives limits for York L oil in the YVWA: moisture under 300 ppm (Karl Fischer method) and total acid number under 0.5 mgKOH/ml. It says to change the oil when analysis shows moisture. For the oil filter and cover O-ring that go with an oil change, see Which York screw chillers use oil filter 026-35601-000?
Parts involved
| Component | Role | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| York L oil, 5 gallon | The part number York lists for "Oil, Compressor (Type "L")" in the YCIV, YCAV and YCAS Style G spares tables. | York 011-00592-000 Oil, Compressor (York "L", 5 Gallon) | OEM Chiller Part |
| York L oil, 4 x 1 gallon | Smaller pack, listed on the YVWA Style A and QWC4 pages. | York 011-00956-000 Oil, York "L" in (4) 1 Gallon | OEM Chiller Part |
| York L oil, 1 quart | Top-off size, listed on the YVWA Style A and QWC4 pages. | York 011-00962-000 Oil, Type "L", 1-QT | OEM Chiller Part |
| Oil filter and cover O-ring | Usually replaced with the oil after a failed oil analysis. | York 026-35601-000 Oil Filter Element | OEM Chiller Part and York 028-13849-000 O-Ring, Cover Plate | OEM Chiller Part |
| Other oils and chemicals | Browse by type. | York Chiller Compressor Oil & Chemicals |
Which York units this applies to
- YCIV Style A: York L oil, 011-00592-000, per 201.23-NM2.
- YCAV Style A: York L oil, 011-00592-000, per 201.21-NM1.
- YVAA Style A: York L oil per 201.28-NM1.1.
- YVAA Style B: later YVAA. Confirm the oil in its own manual or with us.
- YCAS Style G: York Type L POE oil, 011-00592-000, per 201.19-NM1.
- YCAS Style F: 011-00592-000 is listed on its model page. Confirm by serial number.
- YVWA Style A: York L oil, 2.4 gal, per 201.30-ICOM1.
Our YCWS Style B page lists both York L oil and York F oil (York 011-00434-000 Oil, F, 5-GAL | OEM Chiller Part). On a YCWS, send us the nameplate before you order oil.
Scope: York forms 201.23-NM2 (YCIV0157 to 0397 Style A, 60 Hz; the current issue covers R-134a and R-513A), 201.21-NM1 (YCAV0157 to 0267 Style A, 60 Hz, R-134a), 201.28-NM1.1 (YVAA Style A, R-134a or R-513A), 201.19-NM1 (YCAS0130 to 0230 Style G, 60 Hz) and 201.30-ICOM1 (YVWA). Other sizes, frequencies and styles have their own manuals.
Before you order
Check the oil type on the chiller nameplate or in its manual, and note the model and serial number. Then contact us at help@totalhvacparts.com or 610-487-7999 if you need to confirm the oil or the quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What oil does a York YCIV chiller use?
York form 201.23-NM2 specifies "L" oil for the YCIV Style A and lists it as part number 011-00592-000 in its recommended spare parts table. Each refrigerant system holds approximately 4 to 5 gallons.
What oil does a York YVAA use?
Form 201.28-NM1.1 says to use "L" oil in the YVAA Style A. Each refrigerant system holds approximately 2 to 3.1 gallons (7.5 to 11.6 liters).
Is York L oil POE?
Yes. York form 201.19-NM1 for YCAS Style G lists YORK Type L oil (5 gal, 011-00592-000) and says the oil used is a POE oil.
How do you add oil to a York YCAV or YCIV?
Connect a York hand oil pump (470-10654-000) to the 1/4 in. charging valve on the oil separator piping. Purge air from the hose with clean L oil, tighten the nut, then stroke the pump. Keep the level between the middle of the lower and upper sight glasses.
Why can't I see oil in my York YVAA sight glass?
Form 201.28-NM1.1 says the oil level typically runs below the bottom of the sight glass. It shows only after 15 to 30 minutes at full compressor speed. Don't add oil just because the glass looks empty at part load.
Sources
- York form 201.23-NM2, YCIV0157 to YCIV0397 Style A (60 Hz) installation, operation and maintenance (commissioning, compressor oil level check, maintenance requirements, recommended spare parts)
- York form 201.21-NM1, YCAV0157 to YCAV0267 Style A (60 Hz) installation, operation and maintenance (compressor oil p.36, maintenance p.291, recommended spare parts p.309)
- York form 201.28-NM1.1, YVAA Style A installation, operation and maintenance (compressor oil p.97, oil level p.161, maintenance p.164)
- York form 201.19-NM1 (204), YCAS0130 to YCAS0230 Style G (60 Hz) installation, operation and maintenance (compressor oil p.42, Recommended Spares p.199)
- York form 201.30-ICOM1 (519), YVWA (compressor oil p.132, Table 44)
- Live product titles for the parts listed above, as shown on each product page
Adding or removing oil means working on a pressurized refrigerant system with line voltage present. Service should be performed only by qualified personnel, following York's manual for your unit and your facility's lockout/tagout procedures.