Junkyard duovalve still working. Not hot enough out to see if the AC is still working. I had to charge last summer, and overcharged a bit.
I evacuated here a few weeks ago, and put in a weighted charge to keep the defrost working properly...
MattL, The 10" that was recommended was for a system that was still sealed, and you were just sucking out the old refrigerant. They recommend 29" if a system has been opened.
Before anyone says anything about using r134a, it's almost impossible for a diy guy to get it. You can only buy 50 pound bottles, and I heard it's a 4 month course to get certified to buy the stuff. Shop wanted $300 just to do a charge, and that didn't include any leak detection. Leak detection would have cost in the down payment on a new S classe territory.
The government in Canada where I live is phasing out R134a. R12 is beyond impossible to get, and trying to bring a can across the boarder is jail time. Trying to bring across the small cans of R134a without certification can net more time in the clink than arms smuggling from what a customs officer I asked told me.
I get very uncomfortable at temps above 22C and even in temps above 28-32C depending on humidity. My body isn't conditioned to deal with heat. I deal much better with temps around freezing. So, no ac isn't really an option.... For those of you in the south, that would be like telling you to go without a heater around 3C. I'm perfectly fine with that with just a long sleeved shirt or light jacket. Most of the people from the deep southern US would show signs of hypothermia...
As for the fire hazard, it's there. It's the position we're in...
There are no special fittings required by Canadian law. Just must be labeled. Which is done. It's not illegal in any Canadian province to use a hydrocarbon as a refrigerant.
Rather than arguing about what should and shouldn't be used, I"m just playing the hand I've been dealt to the best of my abilities.

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All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to stand by and do nothing.

Too many people tip toe through life, never attempting or doing anything great, hoping to make it safely to death... Bob Proctor

'95 S320 LWB
'87 300SDL
'04 E500 wagon 4matic