1994 SSEi A/C recharging questions
 

Well, it's getting warm enough outside to need to use my car's A/C again, but it's not cooling at all right now (except for brief periods of 2-5 minutes every few days or so).

I know that I have a condenser leak, but it must be a relatively slow one - I got my system recharged about one year ago (March 2006), and it lasted for as long as I needed to use the A/C for that year, which was through about December. I don't really remember having any problems with the A/C through that time period; it always blew pretty cold air not too long after starting the car (except for the times when I left the car in direct sunlight when it was 105° outside...).

So this year I'm interested in trying to recharge it myself; the process looked simple enough when I had it done last year, and maybe I can save a little money.

I have a few questions before I do this. I assume I can just buy one of the R134a recharge kits at AutoZone or the like (one that comes with a gauge of some sort). How much do these generally cost? Also, what are the correct pressures that I should be seeing (or recharging to) on a 1994?

Finally, if anyone has any specific tips or descriptions of the process itself, I'd greatly appreciate it. (I assume that I'll be able to figure it out from what I've read on the forums here and elsewhere, but it's always good to get advice directly from the experts, so to speak. ;))

Thanks in advance!

Keep in mind that it is not typically recommended to refill a known leaking system.

With that in mind, the kits you are talking about cost somewhere between $20-30 for a decent one. Even so, the guage that comes on one of these will not be accurate. I have used one as a temporary fix while waiting to get mine permanently repaired, but would not suggest it's use for a long term purpose.

I don't have the pressure required for your '94....sorry.