Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum

Tim wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 12:47 pm Go to a higher-end bike shop. Ask to see some brake shims. ACE Hardware also.

No higher-end bike shops that I know around, but there are several ACE Hardwares. What exactly would I be looking for there? Brake shims as well?

Perfect, thank you sir! About the shims - I'm not finding any online that aren't like $30+ for a few vehicle specific clutch shims. Is there any reason I can't/shouldn't use a normal washer that fits if it gives the proper gap?

Long story short - the AC went out on this. Of course all the BMW forums are full of guys scared or unwilling to work on their own stuff and just say to take it to the dealer and that it needs a new compressor etc. The AC always worked perfect and is only 6 years old so I seriously doubted the ...

You're not opening the valves on the manifold gauge set are you?

Welp, just to update this..... zero difference after vacuum/recharge on the big boy shop equipment. He's pretty surprised too as he works on a lot of fleet Altimas and knows first hand they should be able to do into the 40's vent temps no problem.

I'm thinking this thing must have too much oil ...

Tim wrote:1000 or lower microns. It would indicate a working pump in my opinion.

I gotcha, thanks. I will definitely update this hopefully by early next week with the vent temp results after the vacuum with the actual professional shop machine.

What is damaged on the schrader side exactly? Is it the outside threads or just the inner core? If the core, you can replace just the core for fairly cheap and easily.

This might be your car's last stand fighting you to the death saying "stay R12, stay R12" lol.

This is an incorrect way to look at the cost of proper tools IMO. You said you did 6 other jobs. The micron gauge will stay attached to your gauge set. You will know every time if you have a proper vacuum or not. Help determine leaks also without using refrigerant.

I just answered your original ...

Why do I only ever see micron gauges used in home HVAC work?

I'm not disputing the benefits for automotive work, but I've never seen them used, and even my professional mechanic friends don't use or own them for automotive AC work. It just seems like an expensive tool for me to add just to see if ...

Look for R12 on Craigslist or Offer Up or eBay. I have always found them to be more than plentiful on all those platforms, even to this day.

Expect to pay about $25-35 per 12-14 oz can on Craigslist or Offer Up, and probably $45-50 per can on eBay on average. There's a whole case of DuPont 12 oz ...