Problem of the month club: Compressor oil leak

[Ketch]

1999 Sub. A/C blowing warm, look under hood and there is oil (clear oil so I know what it is) sitting on top of the A/C compressor where the high pressure lines attach. Rear A/C is blowing cooler than front, so my initial guess is the seals - O Rings - on the front are leaking.

I want to tool up to fix this myself. Its been a while since I worked on A/C and my friend with vac pump moved away so

QUESTION:

Can I use my old R12 Gauges on 134a systems?

What is minimum or smallest vac pump that will draw down this system?

Anybody every vacuumed a Suburban A/C system?

please advise

[Ketch]

answers to R12 gauges for 134a - yes but need fitting adapters

THere is a manifold attachment on top of the compressor that seems to be leaking. Has anyone ever pulled this and replaced the seals? Any info on this appreciated as its hotter an' hell here in Texas....

[Ketch]

So many of these threads ask questions, get advise, but we never hear what the outcome was. Human nature I guess, and I'm guilty of it too cause once I get a problem solved (thanks in large part to forums like these), I'm off to fix the next one.

I noticed that when it comes to AC problems there are almost no threads on AF. I did find a couple of great web sites AirCondition.COM and ACKITS.Com. Both Phoenix based co's that run the sites to help promote their products (AC repair supply) but are willing to share info for the DIY mechanics.

It would be great if AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS would start a general A/C or MVAC forum as this is a specialized area many DIYer's don't have the unique tools for the job.

Anyway, problem FIXED. High Side 134a access port valve was leaking. $750 worth of repairs for a $5.00 part.