Thanks for the tips, I didn't know all that. The gauge is one of the re-usable ones that comes with the cans.

 

by the way how many cans did you put in?

 

If I remember correctly (this was about a year ago), I put in one of the tall cans and about two or three of the smaller cans.

 

Well they only hold 2 and a half of the 12 oz cans. But even if you over filled it, that would have nothing to do with the motor not running good when the ac is off. And i disagree with the notion of not adding oil unless you have something apart. Any time you have a leak you can lose oil. In fact that is usually how you can find a leaky connection cause it will be oily. Best way to find the leak is to fill it with just straight air and get out your squirt bottle with soapy water and check everything from fittings to front seal and condenser. Unless it is the evaporator leaking you should be able to find it pretty easily. Also check the pulley bearing as well to see if it's needing replaced.

 

A UV light will also help find leaks. The dye added with the refrigerant shows up really well.