Quick answer: For an R-404A system moving to R-448A or R-449A, select the lubricant from the compressor's original oil designation and required viscosity—not from the refrigerant name alone. Confirm the compressor model, current lubricant, target refrigerant, OEM documentation, dehydration plan and residual-oil requirement before issuing a purchase order.
This R-404A to R-448A retrofit oil change checklist gives buyers a controlled way to prepare the technical request before an order is released.
This guide is designed for cold-storage contractors, service companies, distributors and technical buyers who need a repeatable way to request a POE oil quotation without turning a cross-reference table into an unsupported universal-equivalence claim.
R-448A and R-449A are commonly evaluated as lower-GWP replacement options for R-404A applications, but a refrigerant conversion does not automatically identify an oil viscosity or an approved lubricant family. The final decision remains tied to the exact compressor, its original lubricant specification and the retrofit instructions that apply to that equipment.
For example, Copeland's R-448A/R-449A engineering guidance identifies approved POE oils for its covered compressors and directs technicians to follow the documented changeover steps. That is a useful decision boundary: use public cross-reference data to prepare the request, then release the order only after the OEM oil designation and grade have been checked for the actual compressor.
Mobile reading note: swipe the technical tables horizontally to see every column without compressing the data.
| Required input | Why it changes the oil decision |
|---|---|
| Compressor make, model and serial | The OEM manual, not the refrigerant alone, identifies permitted lubricant types and viscosity. |
| Current refrigerant and target refrigerant | Confirms the conversion path is R-404A to R-448A or R-449A rather than a different retrofit scenario. |
| Original oil code and viscosity grade | This is the starting point for an oil cross-reference; do not infer it from compressor size alone. |
| Current oil condition and service history | Acid, moisture, burn-out history, prior top-ups and unknown oil blends can change the service plan. |
| Evaporating range and application | Freezer, medium-temperature and process applications can have different oil-return and viscosity requirements. |
| OEM and refrigerant-supplier documents | These are the evidence needed to confirm approval, changeover steps and component changes. |
| Required pack size and delivery window | Allows the quotation to match the service plan rather than forcing an unsuitable pack or grade. |
The table below uses the QSL reference product data supplied by Qishanr. It is a screening table for POE oil viscosity selection: it helps a buyer match the required viscosity range and compare the existing OEM oil code. It does not by itself establish OEM approval, one-to-one substitution status or compatibility with every R-448A/R-449A system.
| QSL grade | Viscosity @40°C | Viscosity @100°C | Pour point | Flash point | Available packs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QSL-32H | 33.3 cSt | 6.0 mm²/s | −50°C | 235°C | 1L / 5L / 10L / 20L / 200L |
| QSL-68H | 67.2 cSt | 9.2 mm²/s | −45°C | 252°C | 1L / 5L / 10L / 20L / 200L |
| QSL-120H | 120.8 cSt | 13.3 mm²/s | −36°C | 262°C | 20L / 100L |
| QSL-220H | 224.2 cSt | 21.5 mm²/s | −30°C | 280°C | 5L / 10L / 20L / 200L |
Source: Qishanr POE1 reference workbook. Test methods in the supplied table: GB/T 265, GB/T 1884, GB/T 1995, GB/T 3536 and GB/T 3535. Values are reference product data, not a substitute for compressor-specific approval or a batch certificate.
| Additional reference property | QSL-32H | QSL-68H | QSL-120H | QSL-220H |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density @20°C | 1024 kg/m³ | 1004 kg/m³ | 990 kg/m³ | 1002 kg/m³ |
| Viscosity index | 130 | 114 | 102 | 115 |
This refrigeration oil retrofit checklist requires three evidence layers before release: Qishanr reference properties for the candidate grade, the current compressor OEM document for approval, and the selected refrigerant supplier procedure for the conversion steps. None of those three layers replaces the others.
Do not publish a blanket rule such as “always perform three oil changes” or “one drain is always enough.” The appropriate oil-change and residual-oil process depends on the compressor design, original lubricant and the applicable retrofit procedure. This distinction matters when sourcing an R-404A replacement POE oil. If the system contains an unknown blend, has a burn-out history or has been repeatedly topped up, treat that as a technical-review issue before choosing a replacement oil.
For the broader chemistry discussion, read the HFC refrigeration-oil compatibility guide. If the project is an R-22 conversion rather than an R-404A conversion, use the separate R-22-to-HFC oil-conversion guide; it serves a different service task.
Send the following with your inquiry: It is the same evidence set needed for an R-449A compressor oil request or an R-448A retrofit checklist.
Request a model-specific POE oil check
No. Refrigerant selection is one input, but the compressor model, original OEM oil designation, viscosity and current retrofit documentation determine the final lubricant decision.
No. QSL-68H is a VG68 reference grade. It may be a candidate only when the compressor documentation calls for that lubricant type and viscosity. Other systems may require a different grade.
No. A listed oil code helps start a cross-reference review. The final order must be confirmed against the current OEM documentation for the actual compressor model and operating application.
No. Follow the conversion procedure that applies to the compressor and refrigerant. Unknown oil blends, moisture or a previous burn-out can require additional technical review.
POE lubricant can absorb moisture during handling. Keep containers sealed, minimize exposure and follow the applicable OEM procedure for dehydration and system preparation.
For the VG68 product reference, see the Qishanr QSL-68H product page. For QSL-32H, QSL-120H and QSL-220H, submit the model-specific request above so the required grade and pack size can be checked first.
Original publication. This article, “R-404A to R-448A/R-449A Retrofit: POE Oil Change Checklist”, was originally published by QishanrLubricants on 2026-07-27 at qishanrlubricants.com. © 2026 QishanrLubricants. All rights reserved.
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