Nate:

I agree with JCYHUN on using straight 134 since you can buy it anywhere without certification. And, where you live it will work OK - not in TX or other southern areas of the US.

When you said the compressor turns I thought you meant turned by hand. Are you saying the compressor turns with the engine running and the AC turned on? If this is so, then not only may you have a low pressure side leak, but also a clogged expansion valve is a possibility. A new expansion valve costs about $27 from Fast Lane.

Question - you wrote that you are not afraid of this project. Did I write something to imply you could not repair your system (other than the possible need for special diagnostic tools and related info that you may not have access to)? I was not implying you could not repair your AC system, only that at some point in diagnosing and fixing AC systems more specialized info and tools are needed and most people do not own or have access to - making further attempts to fix an AC problem more like replacing parts until the system works, not an efficient way and can be expensive for parts cost-wise and time-wise.

Good Luck!
Tom

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America: Land of the Free!

1977 300D: 300,000+ miles

American Honda: Factory Trained Technician & Honor Grad.
Formerly:
Shop Foreman;
Technical Advisor to Am. Honda;
Supervisor of Maintenance largest tree care co. in US for offices in Tex.