Review on Harbor Freight's A/C R134A Manifold Gauge Set

Today we are going to review Harbor Freight's A/C R134A Manifold Gauge Set. You can pick this up at your local harbor freight store.
Item#62707
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[@Wrenchingdaily]

I’ve had no issues with my Harbor Freight manifold gauge set. Used it several times and they still work perfectly.

[@dalehargreaves5196]

Both seals on the 134 adapters were loose. Maybe a few real seals would make a difference. Ygwypf

[@mrlarrybobjr]

Mine work great also...

[@markkrause3569]

It would be nice to know were the leak is instead of just condemning the set.

[@Sennner9]

I have to find the video, but one guy said the first thing you have to do is put white teflon tape on the threads going into the gauge set.

[@stevereid5885]

What about changing all the o-ring gaskets with better quality o-rings? Is it possible?

[@misaelsantiago]

I bought these same gauges yesterday with the vacuum pump. They worked perfectly

[@CliffordRice]

I didn't say they didn't work at all. I stated that after a few uses I had problems with the gauges

[@misaelsantiago]

Clifford Rice I’m aware of what you stated. I was just letting the people know my experience. I’m actually glad you did this review with the same gauges I bought 🙂

[@jonathan-emilypowell1962]

Word of Warning: The gauge's are most likely not accurate!

[@jjustinengineer]

Duhh!! It appears to me that you never opened the valves on the HF unit! Look at 7:18. You never showed that you opened the valves on HF unit. Though you showed that you opened them on the Yellow Jacket. Either something is fishy here or I'm missing something!

[@CliffordRice]

Your missing something

[@jjustinengineer]

@@CliffordRice So, show us in the video where you opened the HF unit's valves. You made like you opened them but you never actually turned the knobs! So, what did I miss?

[@mrlarrybobjr]

Me too... no problems.

[@kimkovel336]

Both my connectors failed after two years . Replaced , works fine

[@kortneystevens9892]

Just purchased set from harbor freight and they worked fine jus saying

[@pedroavila2003]

I hope everyone knows the seals in any hoses and guages CAN be replaced with new ones. They all go bad sooner or later especially if you use them often.

[@catmanzrt]

Harbor freight offers 2 different item numbers on this. I purchased my first one (with hard white plastic gaskets) item #62707 and it leaked. I returned it and got item #60806 which has black gaskets. This seems to be an updated version with better hose connections and gauge knobs and doesn't leak. I recommend buying 60806.

[@tigerseye73]

I bought the same set of HF gages several years ago. They could not even pass their first vacuum test . Taught me a good lesson about HF Chinese tools. Good video. You have helped a lot of guys with this I am sure.

[@broken1965]

Perfect vacuum is- 29.92 Hg . depends on what the pump comes with most pumps are 1/4 an 3/8 flare 1/2 ACME an .. HF yellow line is 1/2 ACME

[@Kanesgarage]

These have been recalled! Harbor freight hasn’t made it public, but my set high side line popped and created a very dangerous situation. Just want to get the word out. I called the 800 number and confirmed these were recalled

[@azedizzal]

You have the hoses backwards the brass metal piece goes to the unit you have the brass you have the brass metal pieces going to the gauge

[@dougr3715]

My Harbor freight manifold set will hold a vacuum, but leak under pressure. I know all seals go bad eventually, but they should last longer than 2 weeks!

[@Cokie907]

As we used to say during the closing process on a CuTco knives sales call: Buy QUALITY, buy once 🥳

[@curtisirwin644]

Beautiful buy a higher dollar Yellow Jacket manifold and have to add all the other fittings. I tend to think the more fittings the more possibility of a leak? But that's a product and that's how they get you to buy their product. But I do believe you are right I have used a yellow jackets before an automotive and residential. Perhaps the Harbor Freight wants cannot withhold the vacuum being too much for them how to say are made for automotive.

[@VictorSilva-rq4kz]

Thank for showing a quality set of gauges. My harbor freight popped on the second use. I was in the middle of a charge and the high pressure valve on the manifold just popped. It was really strange the way it blew the label on the valve handle right off and refrigerant all leaked out.

[@jerryrogers5233]

Mr Rice, Thanks for the info. Harbor Freight hand tools are OK for a hobbyist, but I do not trust their meters or gauges either. Price is what you pay and value is what you get.

[@kpdvw]

Teh Herbor freight Manifold did not hold a vaccum becouse the storage for the quick change couplers are NOT vacuum designed! Shut off the valves and then test for vacuum...!

[@christopherhaak9824]

Amen, clearly someone didn't read the directions or even understand how to operate the HF gauge set. They work just fine if you use them correctly.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

The only issue i had was i had to either push or pull a little on the adapter valve knobs so they would lock and engage the valve needle, as if the press fit was substandard. I marked the center with a sharpie so i can tell if the knob is actually turning the center shaft. It holds vacuum just fine and did what i needed it to , i just need to remember to be easy on those adapter valve knobs.

[@billalexander8011]

Clifford, The way the valves work the gauges are always connected to the dedicated pressure hoses? When you open the valves you connect that side to the center manifold? Is my understanding correct? Thanks for taking the time to make this video. If the $100 gauge set works forever and the $50 gauge set quickly fails, I definitely agree with your advice to buy the better set, even if you are just working on one car. Hopefully most of us are going to live long enough to experience an AC failure now and one in the future. Its a great video.

[@tantilus998]

Good video,was going to pick up a set tomorrow. Rather spend the money on a better set and not have to double an triple check for leaks

[@coldfinger459sub0]

Good video on the harbor freight gauges many people complain about the same thing and I find the same problem on garage is who buy those gauges have many vacuum leaks new right out-of-the-box. But if you actually wanna use vacuum gauges to find a leak don’t even think of using the old analog gauges use a micron gauge

[@Ako-John]

Thanks saved me money,and hassles, I was getting ready to buy a set.

[@alb12345672]

Yeah, I just replaced a ton of shit over this. At least I have all new A/c parts :loL;

[@Trump-The-GREATEST]

They have been updated ever sice HF discovered the issues. No problem with the newer version. Been using them on BMWs, Volks & Mercedes!

[@brandonbrandon749]

My set of HF gauges won’t work in vacuum at all they do fine for pressure but the coupler must have a junk valve or something because I can’t get vacuum to pass through them

[@gordonpelto1069]

My Harbor Freight guage set works perfectly many times many years.

[@malcolmmarzo2461]

My Harbor Freight gauges failed after a couple of uses. Another lesson in Harbor Freight: Never buy tools that require precision or electrical reliability from HF. They are OK for things like wrenches and hammers.

[@jeff666p]

i used mine 4 times. The high pressure hose starded leaking and the low side gauge was leaking. No more hf for me bought a mastercool

[@ollopa1]

Those HF service port valves actually open when you screw them shut. You need to screw them all the way to the left to retract the center pin and then they will seal shut and hold a vacuum. On my HF set the low side seals reasonably well but the high side leaks a little when the pin is fully retracted.

[@CliffordRice]

ollopa1 either position did not work. So Its not really worth messing with. I got a better quality set of gauges, and couldn't be happier.

[@ollopa1]

Well I just replaced the torn valve seat O-ring in mine and now both couplers seal shut tight. The seals throughout these HF gauge sets are very low quality and will not last long. You have to be careful not to over-tighten the valve when shutting it off. I wouldn't buy another HF set again but you did turn the coupler valves the wrong way so viewers should know that if they want to do a function test of their own gear.

[@CliffordRice]

They were correct before I missed with them. I'm only mess with them to see if anything would happen. Obviously nothing happen either way.

[@kingfrisby1377]

@@CliffordRice bhu

[@jackandblaze5956]

My HF gauges worked ok for about 6 times. After that, no bueno.

[@rickdff62]

Hea man, love your reviews and Goldwing tutorials, but man, you need to change that intro. You step out of a rocking old school car with those slippers on, lol. You need some cowboy or engineer boots!! J/K, keep up the good work man!

[@mrlarrybobjr]

Got mine on sale for 39.99 if they stop working I’ll go get another set and if they stop working I’ll go get another set and if they stop working I’ll go get another set and I’m still cheaper than the $300 gauges.

[@CliffordRice]

you get what you paid for. Also there only 118.99 on Amazon, not $300

[@mrlarrybobjr]

Clifford Rice I mean these ones shop.snapon.com/product/Manifold-Test-Gauges-(R134a)/Premium-Manifold-Gauge-Set/ACTR5134A

[@mrlarrybobjr]

Clifford Rice I mean these ones shop.snapon.com/product/Manifold-Test-Gauges-(R134a)/Premium-Manifold-Gauge-Set/ACTR5134A

[@Poppadee78]

Great video. Appreciate the information. By chance do you know the model number of the yellow jacket gauge set? Thanks in advance.

[@dannydee9919]

I just bought these this morning and right off the bat i could not get the high pressure hose quick connect to latch on. I gave harbor freight the benefit of the doubt and blamed it on the valve. Went to autozone and purchased a new valve and got the same results. Smh. I inspected the product and took a look closely and looks and feels poor quality, from the brass on the fittings used to the gauges that read the pressure. Now after watching your video, the gauges are definitely going back. Im dissapointed. I went with these HF set to save money. The yellow jacket set which was my 2nd choice are about 110 on amazon, they dont come in a storage case but they will last longer than HF.

[@jl102284]

What are the adapters needed to connect the harbor freight hoses to the vacuum pump? Do you know the thread size or have a link to buy the adapter?

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

You got no vacuum because the red and blue lines were open to the atmosphere.

[@CliffordRice]

No they weren't open

[@christopherhaak9824]

Yeah, they were, you need to close them on the front.@@CliffordRice

[@billborden310]

Almost all HF products have 4 or 5 star rating. The reason is they reject most of the negative reviews to skew the ratings.

[@leilafigo2485]

That is correct. I have written some negative reviews they never printed. To me that is pretty unethical.

[@2tallB]

That's a given, which why I'm reading these comments ;)

[@keeganjacobs5913]

on the yellow cable, does it come with orings on both ends?

[@CarlosGarcia-tq6do]

Excellent video, and absolutely right, DO NOT buy this tool, just having to buy an adapter for the yellow hose is a problem.

[@matthewfalciano7995]

I had the same problem with my harbor freight manifold kit it leaked the first time I used it

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Since i knew id be doing a vacuum test and purge of the system, and it was already open for repairs I avoided the headache ofbising vacuum for a leak test. I took the old rubber tipped blow gun and threw some pressure in the system and went around with a spray botrle of soapy water. No bubbles anywhere, i proceeded with the vacuum test.

[@softuniverse7771]

does this have the proper connections to service a home mini-split AC/heat pump

[@davealm7640]

I just had the same problem! Bed quality seals. China!!! They gave me another set just now .. if they don’t work again I ll go back to get my money back!!

[@dalehargreaves5196]

Really wish I saw this a few hours ago 😃. Crappy seals. If yellow jacket had been in stock l would have went that way. What vacuum pump do you recommend?

[@WV591]

It's hit and miss with these. some last a good while others go bad after few uses. the seals first to go bad cheap rubber. and also fall out sometimes. you have to check before connecting and disconnecting.l. but quick coupler adapter go bad also. had to buy two new ones from amazon to get accurate reading. it does have the best setup and pressure release, most don't.

[@frankiedieppa357]

what model yellow jacket gauges you have?

[@ClipsForGames]

Does the view window matter? Cause I have seen more higher prices gauge sets that don't have the window.

[@fsu3784]

Shouldn’t use a 6 cfm pump on an auto ac buddy. It will freeze the moisture in the lines because it vacuums too fast. I would recommend a 2.5 cfm tops

[@CliffordRice]

I've been using that pump, on automotive stuff forever, and never had that problem. Fixed alot of car air conditioning with it.

[@evilwoodchuck]

Maybe put some Rubber Rejuvenator or gun oil on the o-rings when you first assemble it?

[@alb12345672]

Nylog

[@stevereid5885]

Mineral oil! Always use mineral oil on all R134A o-rings

[@broken1965]

Had mine for 2yrs no leaks i have the black rubber seals the opaque seals fall out of connectors have burrs on them also

[@ls87gbody]

Jon A could you eleborate a little more on your comment. The black seals? Is that something you changed out or is it something HF switched to from opaque seals? Thanks

[@broken1965]

@@ls87gbody they switched to the opaque for awhile or permanently haven't looked at 1 for a year

[@armandomorales4495]

Could i have a different set of hose made for it

[@acesegura0694]

I bought a set these harbor freight gauges on 6-17-20 and finally opened the package today, 8-28-20. This unit is trash, used it on time and the seals in the manifold failed. I couldn't isolate the low side from the high side, couldn't even finish the job. Then I went on harbor freight website and apparently they don't even carry them anymore. Definitely going to try to return tomorrow, hopefully they give my money back or at least store credit. Wish I would watch this video before I bought this piece of crap, thanks.

[@mrlarrybobjr]

Wait a minute… You pulled up in your car got out went and sat on your stool, Then your cars in the garage behind a motorcycle. How do you do that?

[@CliffordRice]

Movie magic

[@kenswitzer4133]

It is impossible to pull a vacuum lower than 29.92 inches of mercury.

[@jmchampagne3955]

Hello, what is the model and make of the Yellow Jacket one???? THanks

[@roynajecki1100]

Probably the Yellow Jacket 42007 which you can find on Amazon. Yellow Jacket, the brand of testing and charging manifolds made by the Ritchie Engineering Co, has two other models (42004 and 42006) that look similar but the model 42007 is for automotive use with R-134a refrigerant. If you already have hoses the Yellow Jacket manifold is model 41842. This info is from the YellowJacket.com website Series 41 spec sheet.

[@leilafigo2485]

Thanks for saving me some money

[@gearhead1302]

It took me a while to realize the problem was with my POS Harbor Freight gauges. I used them ONCE. Junk.

[@stevesimone9761]

There's no way the HF gauges didn't work at all. When you touch the side valves I can see the hoses move like they are loose. Sorry but you are doing something wrong.

[@CliffordRice]

No, sorry you are wrong. In fact if you had listened to the video, I didn't say they didn't work at all.

[@christopherhaak9824]

No, you are wrong and didn't read the drections and don't understand how to operate that gauge set. There are no valves on the side, those are just convenient hanging posts for the quick connects.@@CliffordRice

[@billthompson2860]

I could not use it on a 2013 Toyota Rav 4 because the quick disconnects could not push the shrader valves on the low side without adding a BB to reach the low side pin to be pushed. I have two sets of these and they both have the same problem. This is a worthless manifold set. Harbor Freight, a tool for a day, a week or a lifetime. A cheap one foot plastic hose with a gauge reaches the Schrader valve pin. How about that!

[@Redgascan]

I dont think you have the valves open on the harbor freight gauges.

[@CliffordRice]

They were

[@Redgascan]

Sorry.

[@christopherhaak9824]

Except the HF gauge set doesn't operate like the YJ set. The valve have to be closed to get a reading and you do that from the front.@@CliffordRice

[@darrellstokley1686]

He is right do not buy this I thought it was something wrong with my AC and I fixed all the but leaks I bought five cans thinking is something wrong with my AC lines but it wasn't don't buy this taking it back tomorrow

[@jonpappalardo2664]

mine leaked the first time.

[@TOY35MPG]

What this a joke? Ha Ha! The valves on the harbor freight are on the front. The male fittings on the sides are just to hold the connectors.

[@CliffordRice]

I dont think you understand

[@christopherhaak9824]

No, clearly you don't understand, everything he said is correct.@@CliffordRice

[@ClipsForGames]

Grr please get rid of that super long annoying intro.

[@fsu3784]

Where the hell is that leaking so bad that it can’t pull a vacuum? Jesus those suck. Then again, nothing beats yellow jackets

[@meatballmagoo6134]

Fa-Q Harbor Freight/China

[@richardnunn1958]

they are not called gauges it is called a manifold

[@CliffordRice]

tomayto, tomahto