A/C Woes - Opinons/Guidance Welcomed

[06YarisRS]

Our local APM auto parts store actually had an A/C schrader valve tool - and this after calling half a dozen shops in the city 80 kms away and no one having one. $6.00 + tax out the door. I'm heading across the border tomorrow to pick up my Denso sensor, 2 cans R134 and the schrader kit.

Current plan is to wait for a warmish day, get my garage up to 65 - 70F, aim my big fan at the condensor and try again. I'll evacuate, replace the o-ring at the expansion valve, the schrader valves and pressure sensor. Then, a lengthy vacuum test. Finally a recharge quantity of R134 (~ 13 oz) and pressure tests based on ambient temps.

From both what Trevor said and what I've read, this is work best not done in winter. I wonder if my vacuum tube would have iced up so badly in warmer weather.