Help with A/C retrofit problem

[Legacy777]

Well.....if there's no or little oil in there, that could be why you're not getting much suction. It may be ok, but you may want to try and find another one.

[vrg3]

You're testing it the right way, but you might not be noticing the results. You just don't get that big an effect; try doing it again but turning it maybe 15 or 20 times, and then slowly removing your finger. If you hear air hiss in or out, then you know the compressor is moving gas.

[jnorion]

OK, I'll try that. Hopefully they still have those cars in the yard.

[jnorion]

I got a new compressor now, and I'm about ready to install it, but I have another quick question. Assuming I have removed all the refrigerant from the system and swapped in the new compressor, the entire system will be at atmospheric pressure. Now, Target (and other places I'm sure) sells a $20 aerosol can of R134 with gauges attached which I can theoretically attach to the system and recharge it to the proper pressure myself.

I know that it would be much better to take it to a shop, have them pull a vacuum, and charge it for me. However, at the moment I am very short on money, and the cheapest I've been able to find that is close to $60 after supplies and labor. So I'm wondering if I could charge it myself using the can without pulling a vacuum on it, to get me by for the remainder of the heat this year (not that much) and to defog the windows during the winter, and then go back next spring and get it done right?

Would that work for me at all or am I just going to waste 20 bucks and still have a broken system?

[Legacy777]

you MUST pull a vacuum on the system!

[jnorion]

OK. Oh well, so much for my ghetto fix.

Thanks!