Recharging r134a

[E Showell]

So, after being talked through the a/c compressor replacement and engine bay reassembly, I've got everything purring along. I did have to recharge through crappy recharge hoses on freon cans, however, since my Harbor Freight manifold gauge set recharge (yellow) line doesn't have any type of fitting that will screw on to a small freon can. Rather, it has a 1/4" female end designed to screw into a 30 lb. freon canister.

The upshot is, I can't recharge through the manifold gauge. Are all of you guys recharging with 30 lb. tanks, or were you able to obtain a fitting somewhere that will allow you to screw a small freon can (and valve) onto the yellow HF recharge hose? I see a couple such fittings on Amazon, but none are carrier by my local auto parts stores.

[abscate]

I'll send you a picture of my manifold attachment as it fit the cans fine. There should be a way to adapt yours to cans, but the tiny bit of air in the cheap hose won't affect AC operation. If you are a real purist, you could bleed a bit of R134 at the hose fitting end wearing safety glasses and heavy gloves

[theWIFES_S70]

I did have to recharge through crappy recharge hoses on freon cans, however, since my Harbor Freight manifold gauge set recharge (yellow) line doesn't have any type of fitting that will screw on to a small freon can. Rather, it has a 1/4" female end designed to screw into a 30 lb. freon canister.

E, when I tried to fill my car with my guages, I encountered the same dilemma! (I guess gauges are only for the big boys!) Luckily I have a short crappy hose with an adapter that's removable. I think it'll work.

[erikv11]

To go with my cheapie manifold gauge set, I picked up something similar to this, maybe 6 years ago:

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/johnsen-s- ... /156595.ip

30 lbs of r134a for about $70, you will never (?) need to buy more and can service / top off your fleet as needed.