[lynn comstock]

Water in the vacuum pump oil causes that. You have a very wet system. There is a bypass valve on most pumps that needs to be open to allow atmospheric air flow through the pump in volume to carry excess water out of the pump. If the system compressor has water in it, it will be VERY difficult to dry the system.

 

[lynn comstock]

When you drain the pump oil, let it settle and the oil and water will stratify.

 

[lynn comstock]

Even with the gas ballast open it's still turning white. O boy.

• How did this system get so wet?
• If the system compressor oil is wet, removing the compressor oil, vacuuming it and then replacing the oil would be a good idea, but not very easy to do on a welded hermetic compressor.
• What kind of oil and refrigerant is in the system?
• is this system worth all the bother and expense?

 

[lynn comstock]

It looks like you took some time to write that but most of your questions are answered in my first post.

• No, read post #1 yourself. Post #3 does identify the oil. Post #11 finally identifies the refrigerant and compressor type.
• You avoided my most important question: How did the system get so wet?
• It appears from your last post that you own this system and perhaps created this problem yourself.
• I don't know of a way to replace the oil in a low tonnage scroll compressor. (Size and age of system not disclosed.)
• How it happened may suggest how much water may be inside the compressor, lying under the oil. The pressure of the oil on the layer of water underneath slows the moisture removal. It may take days of vacuuming and vacuum pump oil changes to remove the water. Filter driers are great for small amounts of water but costly to remove water by the spoonful or cupful.

 

[lynn comstock]

This is the route I took, eventually the oil stopped turning white and I was able to get a good vacuum in place.

Good. I also liked the advice from post # 12.

....Now for the "you shoulda got an experienced tech" yada yada.

Don't blame yourself. Once you explained how the system got that wet, The prospects looked very dim of anyone saving the system. Sorry it turned out so bad.