It would be very beneficial for anyone who has an issue with the a/c to break down and spend the $5.00 for a vent thermometer. The device has a shaft that is stuck into the airstream and the face of the gauge sits at the outlet of the center vents.

Only when such data is available can a valid opinion be made as to the functionality of the system.

I've been watching the gauge on the SD recently since it's been recharged with 134 (without evac) and it will immediately get to 60F. after about two minutes. After running at over 2000 rpm for the next 10 minutes, it will gradually decline to about 47F. It will not go below this temperature but will hold 47F. until the cabin reaches the desired temperature of 20C. At that point, it will climb up to about 60F. and then gradually return to 47F. where the process repeats itself.

This performance is perfectly adequate for any ambient up to about 90F. in direct sunlight. Above this temperature will result in some challenge in reaching 20C. inside the cabin and the blower speed will not reduce.

I have not investigated whether the system is limited to 47F. due to the ETS. It is entirely possible that the ETS won't allow the system to go below this temperature due to the potential freezing of the evaporator. It's my suspicion that the performance of these vehicles could be improved markedly if an ETS could be sourced that would allow the evaporator to get very close to 32F. without freezing. However, the tolerances in the device probably won't allow this. There was a thread by Dave that discussed how to put a resistor in the ETS line to ease the point of opening closer to the evaporator freezing point. I think it bears further discussion.