<despair> Ever feel like the DIY gods are against you?

[taaboo]

Like most of you here, I've *learned a lot* and *saved a lot* of $$$$ maintaining my vehicles over the years ... do you ever get into situations where you just want to scream "WHY ME?".

Today's example: Last night went to put a little R134a in our 1989 300TE. Been there, done that. Finish up, pull the quick-connect off the low-pressure hose, and of course R134a starts exiting the connection. Put the hose back on, close the ball valve in the fill line (thank goodness my fill hose was set up that way), remove the fill can, go inside and drink beer.

So I've got a quick-connect fitting on the low pressure hose that won't reseat. Any ideas?

Why me?

Brian
89 300TE
84 733i 5speed

[G-Benz]

I can't help you on the A/C stuff...I leave that to the pros!

As far as the DIY gods, they pretty much strike me with lightning bolts every time I tackle a project.

My very first DIY (at 16) was replacing a fuel pump on a VW Beetle...simple enough, pump sits right in front of the engine, easily accessible, two nuts, and two hoses, comes right off. Half hour tops right?

Some how in the process, the plunger jammed into the shaft hole. Upon trying to remove it, shattered the phenolic mount and watched all of the little bitty pieces fall into the crankcase. Boy did I scream that day!

At least my mechanic was resourceful. After I had the car towed to the shop, he just drained the oil, pulled off the oil pump, and reached in the case and picked all of the pieces that didn't come out of the sump plate.

25 years later, I am about 50-50 on "DIY no problemo" to "DIY Homer Simpson scenario".

[engatwork]

you will have to evacuate the system. The fitting is a standard fitting that should be cheap and easy to find. Evacuate the system, replace the fitting and recharge or just run with it as it. I have experienced the same thing on my 300D.