Anybody ever used D.I.Y. A/C kits sold at parts stores?

How hard are they to use?

Are they much of a discount compared to having a shop charge your a/c?

I'm going to be swapping out an a/c compressor soon and will need to charge from totally emtpy, will they work for this or should I just pay the $75 for a shop to do it? I've heard something about having to get the system vacuumed out before using a home charge kit, is this bs?

What refrigerant does the car come with stock. I might be able to do this for you.

Usaully the autoshops can use a better grade of freon.

I'm not sure which refrigerant, it's the '99 escort sedan we just bought. I wouldn't imagine it matters any but it's got the SPI motor.

I can help you Cyle. Does it work at all?

It will need a new compressor. Which by the way does anybody have a sedan a/c compressor I can get on the cheap to save a trip to the junkyard?

So to answer your question paul, it will be starting from completely empty a/c system.

That'll take a good bit of charging but it's doable.

Just make sure all your lines are in good shape when you replace the compressor.