I'd think body shops get in plenty of cars so equipped by now. I think some Cadillacs and Chryslers started using it in 2013. Points well taken. It seems we'll have to wait a little longer, though, for market forces to take hold, for additional companies to start producing it, and subsequently for ...

I would guess, arguably, that it's mainly a supply-and-demand issue. So far, I don't believe many vehicles in the USA use it. And those that do are relatively new and don't need A/C service yet. So not much R-1234yf is being sold to car-dealer service departments and independent MVAC professionals. ...

I'm learning that as a DIY, this AC fix is becoming more complicated then what I had anticipated. Yes, indeed...as you're discovering, it's not only complicated but also very tricky and time consuming to diagnose and repair, especially if you don't have sufficient knowledge about vehicle air condit...

Unfortunately, sealer introduced into an A/C system does more harm than good...essentially clogging up just about everything. Since at this point you've committed to replacing all but the evaporator, I would take the extra step and replace the evap as well. You could try flushing it, but the only wa...

From what I can see in your video, the LP side fluctuates between 15 and 30 PSI while the compressor runs momentarily...about normal. However, the HP side builds only to about 100 PSI, which is low, and points more toward a failing compressor, I think. With an ambient temperature around 80 degrees a...

Bear in mind that a system can leak under pressure yet still hold a vacuum. How fast did the refrigerant leak out...within minutes, hours, days, weeks, etc.? I believe what you said is that gauges were not installed after recharging. Did you charge it by weight with the gauges attached and with an a...

Given the age of your vehicle, problems like this often result from a low-charge condition. I would begin by recovering whatever refrigerant is currently in the system, evacuate, and recharge with the proper amount of R-134a: Without rear A/C - 34.0 ounces; With rear A/C - 56.0 ounces. At the same t...

The Santech brand is well known in the trade, so I wouldn't hesitate ordering from them. The ones you turned up from Santech and Volvo seem to be a close match, if not identical, and probably produced in the same factory in China. Chances are either one would fit. Your call.

Could it still be overfilled after the relief valve has opened? It's possible, but I don't think it's very likely. From what you said earlier, a large cloud of vapor came out. It holds only 20 ounces to begin with, so it seems to me that most of the charge was lost, plus some oil that was vaporized...

...I'm under the impression that it was severely overfilled to begin with. Lacking any service records, an overcharge is another possibility. Who knows what was done to it in the past. Could even have sealer in it, which can clog things up and cause high pressures. I am thinking that it is possible...