skiier, you did good on the gauges but the vacuum pump is the venturi type (do a search on this forum under venturi). this will not pull a deep enough vac and the air compressor needed to drive it continuously would have to be huge. this was just discussed the other day on this forum and other numerous times.

As stated, go to Auto Zone and get the Bruce Boneback AC DVD $8 to get confident, they will also rent you the correct electrical, rotary vane vacuum pump free, you get your full depsit back when you return it. Also get the 5" vent thermometer while there.

Ok, I'll stop by the local Autozone and pick up a copy of that DVD this afternoon. Thanks for the suggestions

Correct me if i'm wrong but I have been unable to locate any Autozone which loans out this type of vacuum pump or for that matter a gauge set.

I'll check with them when i go there and let you know. I haven't heard anyone saying that they loan out the gauges, thats why people suggest buying them on harborfreight.com

Do not call, go by the biggest busiest store, ask manager for a rotary vane evacuation pump. I went to 3 autozones, all regular employees said they did not, 1 brought out the mity vac hand pump, but the manager went to the back and brought out the Mastercool 2 CFM pump that nobaody else knew about!

As far as gauges I would just buy my own, skiier just got a new set from harbour freight for $39!

$39 is only for the R12 gauges, the R134 gauges are 49.99 and up.

I paid $99 for my Autozone crappy Interdynamics 134a set! That Harbour Freight set looks alot nicer than mine. I did get a nice old all brass Robinair R12/22 set from a co-workers deceased dad for $30. Did not know about Harbour Freight or Northern Tools at the time. If you can wait ebay has some deals especially for r12 gauges. Search under Robinair, Ritchie Yellow Jacket, Mastercool, snap on, or just do a R12/22 or R134a manifold gauge set search, Check local pawn shops and used tool stores also. But $39 and $49 new, I would run to Harbour Freight.

DIY Residential-Home HVAC (A/C) Anyone?

Check the General Discussion forum for this topic I started. Alot of these tools, fundamentals, service and diag that we are acquiring can be used for home systems also.

James do you have the paperwork from when you rented the pump. The reason I ask is that the emplyees at autozone that I talked to insisted they did not in fact have a vacuum pump and that all the stores carry the exact same tools for the loaner program. Unfortunately there is nothing listed on their web site so I had no foot to stand on but if I could get a reference number that may help.

I have not rented the pump yet, I have to figure out what brand new or rebuilt of R4 compressor to get first and what vendor.

The Vacuum pump at AutoZone is for sale also at $199. The mgr pulled it up on the store computer to show some other employee. The screen had the number and the price $199. 2 CFM Mastercool single phase evacuation pump.
She brought the big opened box out. She said no one had rented it yet.

When i rent it i will save the paperwork and post it here.

Thanks James. In the meanwhile I just wrote their customer service department to see what they have to say.

In their automotive A/C video it says that *most* Autozone locations rent the tools needed like gauges, vacuum pump, etc. I'd ask to talk to a manager like James L suggested.

I put gauges on my 1993, W124, OE 134A car yesterday for evaluation. It has been cooling good but wanted to check to aide your 1994 and see if it is under charged, overcharged or any air in the lines? Here are my parameters:

Ambient (outside air) 82-85F, Humidity 40-45%, Shade, 11:00 am:

engine off (cold): low side 90 psi - high side 90 psi
engine on, a/c on: low side 30 psi - high side 195 psi

aux fan comes on: low side 20 psi - high side 245 psi
(takes it back to 30/190)

bridge for aux fan on all time: low side 30 psi - high side 190-200 psi

center dash vent 41F

engine off (hot): low side 55 psi - high side 125 psi

no bubbles or foam in sight glass at any time or test, system has yellow dye in it and no visible leaks anywhere or in evap drain!

My system is cooling good and I am getting low dash vent temps (have had thermometer in dash all week) but I feel it may be slightly undercharged?
Also 2 years ago a tech put 1/2 a 12oz 134a can in with low side suicide hose and up/down roation of can. (before I knew better). I wonder if it would be good to discarge, evacuate and recharge? How do I know if any air or moisture is in the system? I will probably leave the sytem alone since it is cooling good but the 95F + days have not arrived yet!

Advise and opinions sought and wellcomed

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