Has anyone used this AC charging kit?

[1999montana]

Canadian Tire sells a RED TEK AC kit to re-charge the AC on any vehicle pre and post 1992. I think it is widely sold in the US as well. The kit sells for about $50 here. The additional products to seal the system are about $15 to $25.

The kit comes with a gauge, two 6oz cans of R12a, an adapter to convert the pre 1992 models with a schrader valve like that used with R134a systems and a new universal dryer (although I’m not quite sure where this dryer goes on the Venture or Montana vans, but I think I goes near, or in the accumulator on the driver’s side lower near the frame).

While the docs that come with it say it is compatible with R12 and R134a systems, it clearly says not to mix with either R12 or R134a refrigerant. This necessitates a complete evacuation (vacuum pump).

There is also a LeakStop (4oz can) and a ProSeal (4oz can) that when used, the instructions say to subtract 2oz of the R12a for either can of sealant used. Now you are into some type of digital weigh scale to figure out the amount of refrigerant to use.

These two conditions (plus a third condition) make the kit not really a ‘do-it-yourselfer’ product because most do not have the weigh scale, or ability to pump the system down and capture what may be left behind in the refrigerant system.

The third condition, the system needs to be pressure tested with nitrogen to see if there may be obvious leaks first before recharging. (The belief behind pressure testing is that if the refrigerant leaked out, it must have been due to an ‘O’ ring, condenser, or compressor seal failure).

Further, the properties of the R12a refrigerant supplied with the kit (and referenced on the RED TEK website) are different than either R12 or R134a. One of the differences is the amount or necessary weight needed to replace or re-charge the system. If say the system required (as an example) 1.6 pounds of R12 or R134a refrigerant, using R12a it would require less to re-fill the system.

http://www.redtek.com/win_12a_weightequiv.html

OK, now my question.

Has anyone used this kit and had success with it?

What did you learn from the experience?

My thinking is that it looks too complicated for the average do-it-yourselfer and that I'd be better off getting the retired GM refrigeration guy near me to fix it and charge me $90 to do it.