Your can of r134a should have emptied itself into the system. Forget your el cheapo gauge! You are under pressured, by a lot.

The bread clips need to be glued in! All purpose glue that sticks any 2 things together will work. After I lost my plastic clips, I found a sheet of aluminum on my work bench. Folded over once, it measured around .020 against a feeler gauge. So I installed one and checked the clutch gap - .026, much better than .046. I then pulled the clip out, glued it on both sides and slid it back in with the other 2. My clutch now works great after letting the glue cure for 24 hours. I tried it out today with a 1 hour run doing errands.

If you 'fill' the system with r134a, it will read around 60lbs. The system needs 40psi just to engage the clutch! The clutch will stay engaged until the compressor draws down the pressure to 17-18psi. When the clutch cycles rapidly, less than 10 seconds at idle, you do not have enough r134a.

You live in a 'hot' climate and should have 26 oz of fluid in the system.

If you go to Midas, have them check the schrader valve to make sure it is not leaking. Then let them vacuum the system and add 26 oz. But you must shim the clutch first - it's fairly easy lying down and reaching up. A large screwdriver to push in the clutch and a pair of needle nose pliers to hold the shim.

Klaus

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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.