01 cherokee a/c problem

[mconover867]

I've got a 01 cherokee, 60th anniversary, 45k, no mods and went to run the a/c this past weekend after the long winter and it blew hot air. I recharged the low side a/c to about 45 pounds w/ R-134a, it blew semi cold air, thought problem was sorta solved. I drove it about 100miles the same day, didn't turn the a/c on that day while driving and went to turn on the a/c the next day and it blew hot air. Hooked up the pressure gauge on the low side and it read 0. Took a screwdriver and hit the shraeder valve of the low side and nothing blew out, so obviously I have a leak. I don't have the adaptor to check the high side pressure, but a friend does and can check it on Monday. Any thoughts of what to do, where to check before I take it to a shop and get raped? I am very mechanically inclined, understand the basics of a/c but need some guidance.

[mobil_12]

if you have 0 psi in the low side, then you have 0 psi in the high side. sounds like you definately have a leak. since you have a chrysler, it probably has a/c tracer dye in the system from factory. look around for a sticker that has a/c system info on it, that will tell. if it does have dye then you can look for the leak with an ultraviolet light and some yellow tinted glasses. the dye will glow green under the light.
be sure to check the evaperator core drain tube for dye, that is the mose likely place on a Jeep.
if your truck doesnt have tracer dye, you might have to go to a shop to get some put in with some freon. some shops put a warranty on the freon with the dye. so if you fix the leak with them, they will fill the system back up with freon at no charge. the is a real plus, so shop around for a good place to go.

[mconover867]

Ok, there is some green flourescent, antifreeze looking fluid that is dried up in two places: where you recharge the low side (looks to be residual blowoff when you remove the hose when recharging) and coming from an L shaped hose to the right and beneath where the evaporator is located. Is this the evaperator core drain tube? If so, what does this mean? Replace the evaperator core? Many thanks in advance!