Hampton Roads Club Mini

Does anyone know what both the high side and low side pressures are suppossed to be for a MCS? I have a really good mechanics guage rig to check everything. If I know the pressures I'll know whether I need to add any R-134, or not. Thanks.

When I hooked up my gauges my high side pressures were way to high and my low side was just that a little low. I tried to balance it all out, but no luck. I gave up and turned it over to a shop in town who does good a/c work. I'll get my car back tomorrow with the a/c working properly and will know what was going on with the system(based on what I was experiencing at home I'm thinking I might have a glog in the system, but I'm a novice at best).

Turns out my system was overcharged by about 1/3 of a pound. That was what was throwing the high side pressure out of whack. The low side pressure was and is due to a weakening compressor. Everything is within spec and the system will blow down to 44 degrees, but my pressures remain low and just barely within normal operating parameters. I'll make it through this summer no problem, but depending on how much weaker the compressor gets over this year I may be facing a new unit next year. For those that don't already know this you can't just buy an a/c compressor over the counter at your local auto parts store. You have to also buy an accumulator/dryer and expansion valve as well. That's the law. As far as cost goes if you buy the parts, pay to have the system evacuated, replace the parts, and have the system checked for leaks, and re-charged it will run you $500-600.00, but if you have a shop do a turnkey job you are looking at $800-1,000.00 parts and labor. What they charge for this crap is such BS. Even the shop I went to agreed that a/c work is way over priced. You got to love the EPA/government. Just wait until the new refrigerant hits the street within the next couple years. It will cost more and be yet even less efficient than R-134A is. Oh the politics of it all. Research has shown that R-12 was never as bad for the environment as they thought it was, but the fat cats are already rich from R-134A profits so you know we are never going back. Industry was the big R-12 polluters, but as always cars/taxpayers take it in the shorts as the lobbyists are the ones holding the cards. Ok soap box over. Sorry.

I appreciate you trying to help out by mentioning you have a reman unit in working order, but 1st gen compressors and 2nd gen compressors(2007-2008) have different part numbers. What makes them different, who knows, but bottom line is they don't interchange, Thank you any way. If I end up replacing mine I can buy a new(not reman) compressor alone online with a one year warranty for $465.00. The accumulator/dryer and expansion valve is another $120.00. Mini Cooper parts are proving to be expensive as I can buy a complete new kit for my GMC truck for less than $300.00. My girlfriend tried to warn me about buying a German car and the cost of repairs, but I just had to have the car. No regrets, so far anyway.