I contacted Sanden about the oil spec. In the USA, if you are in fact using an SD7H15 fixed-displacement compressor, the Type C models use OEM SP10 (PAG-46) oil while the Type B models use OEM SP20 (PAG-100) oil. OEM SP15 (PAG-68) is common in Europe but is not typically used in the USA, as mentione...

The oil specification for your vehicle's A/C system calls for a total of 8 ounces (237 ml) of PAG-46. Starting with a completely empty system is the only way to know that you have installed the correct amount. Otherwise, you'll be guessing about how much to put back in, risking that it won't be enou...

I've never transported an RRR machine on a regular basis. But you might have to remove the tanks and carry them separately to reduce the possibility of damaging the machine. To be certain, I'd consult the manufacturer for their recommendations.

Thanks, the engine must be running to discharge from low side only? It's not necessary to run the engine to recover the charge, but doing so beforehand will warm everything up and help the recovery process go a little faster. The refrigerant and usually some oil will come out assuming that the syst...

Quickly cap off any lines, hoses, and ports as you disconnect the parts so that air and moisture can't enter, and you shouldn't have to replace any major components but the receiver/dryer on reassembly. Replace the o-rings on the disconnected parts as well, lubricating them sparingly with Nylog Blue...

Well I managed to get an electronic leak detector and found my leak yesterday - it was the brazed joint I made between the male O-ring fitting and the pictured compressor fitting pipe, discharge side. Heck, once I added some refrigerant, I didn't need the sniffer to find the leak - the compressor l...

It looks to me as if this is an R-12 car and that someone attached an aftermarket high-pressure cutoff to the high-side Schrader valve port for reasons not known. There's no way to know whether there's still a Schrader valve below the HPCO, so I wouldn't take the chance of just removing it. You coul...

I think your plan is a good one. Try another manifold gauge set, pull a vacuum, and see whether it holds. If not, I would suspect the front compressor shaft seal since you've double-checked just about everything else. Place a shower cap around the front of the compressor, charge the system with a fe...

Double End Capped PAG, if you can get it.

I advise replacing the condenser as well because that component acts as a filter, too, and it's very difficult if not impossible to flush out any debris that might be lodged in it.
Since you're replacing and/or flushing everything, I would go with PAG oil...PAG-46 specifically.