ditto on air gap scenario- does clutch turn when a/c goes inop?

That 36 psi static was your first hint--unless it is about 36 degrees outside, you have about 4 ounces refrigerant in your 2+ pound system-- so adding charge will make it cool- but your leak needs to be fixed-- Would you add air to a low tire and call it fixed?

Porting is the same except that the V-5 you use will probably be post 1994 era made- so it will have offset depths inside ports (a 134a to r-12 differential) - but you can simply use the appropriate sealing washers used for r-12 to 134a retrofits..May have to twist hoses somewhat- I would use a rear...

2010 Traverse, Enclave, are known for high pressure hose leaks- from compressor to condenser. Also, they are known for evaporator leaks- look for dye drippage out evap drain underneath mid center on driver's side

dry dye stains can be from over the winter....leaks can be like farts- build up and let go-- a sniffer tells you if it is currently leaking- dye tells you where and IF it leaked. If dye is dry,it hasn't leaked recently- but did indeed leak. The sniffer will probably not go off...

You could buy a rebuild kit and clean all the sealing surfaces and put in new o-rings and keep your compressor- that's what I do. It can be the greatest compressor in the world, but if it leaks it is no good as it is....

You are worried that pressure is not high enough? and it needs to run to generate high pressure? You must think your leak is on the high side. - The low side pressure will actually drop when compressor runs- you have a good chance the leak is on the low side- so running compressor would drop the pre...

Number one failure mode of mobile a/c is lack of cooling due to loss of refrigerant-- 65% of what I see has lost some refrigerant-- so start there- always- remove and weigh refrigerant- compare to under hood sticker- chances are good you have half a charge or less-- then evacuate system-pulling a va...

Your a/c inop is not due to your leak if you have intermittent cold air!! Two separate issues! The next time you have hot air blowing- tap on front of compressor clutch driver- see if it engages- if so you have the infamous wide air gap scenario...and we can expand on it later..

I've never had this issue- and have resealed hundreds of V-5s. I assume you are using double lip seal shaft seals. If in doubt, go ahead and polish the shaft- fine emory cloth or metal polish. there is a chance leak is from shaft seal o-ring- If wrong size was used- there-in lies the problem- hopefu...