One other thing you can do. Several of the "big name" part stores will offer a "loan a tool" program. (I.e. - You give them a deposit for the full price of the tool, and get it back when you return it.) I do know that I was able to borrow an A/C gauge set and a vacuum pump when I last worked on mine.
Before you change the dryer, connect the gauges the the high and low sides, with the feed (yellow) to the pump. (This assumes all of your refrigerant has leaked out and there is no pressure in the system.) Turn on the vacuum and open the gauges. Purge the system for a while (30 - 60 min.) Finally, draw a healthy vacuum in the system (say 20psi or so) and close the feed valve. If everything is sealed correctly, the vacuum should remain for several hours. If it drops, you still have leaks to find / repair.
You can have a shop just fill the system, but it gets kind of expensive to have the system filled for 2 - 3 days of cool air.
Otherwise, just take it in. Let the shop have at it. It will cost more, but you will probably be happier in the end.
Before you change the dryer, connect the gauges the the high and low sides, with the feed (yellow) to the pump. (This assumes all of your refrigerant has leaked out and there is no pressure in the system.) Turn on the vacuum and open the gauges. Purge the system for a while (30 - 60 min.) Finally, draw a healthy vacuum in the system (say 20psi or so) and close the feed valve. If everything is sealed correctly, the vacuum should remain for several hours. If it drops, you still have leaks to find / repair.
You can have a shop just fill the system, but it gets kind of expensive to have the system filled for 2 - 3 days of cool air.
Otherwise, just take it in. Let the shop have at it. It will cost more, but you will probably be happier in the end.
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