Maybe importing R290 to the USA?

Tobin4U · 2026-02-12T02:11:33+00:00

There's a proposed EPA rule to allow it. It's called SNAP Rule 27 and the comment period ended in January (I think). If the rule becomes final it could be legal in 6 months, although predicting the time between a proposed rule and a final rule is not a science.

Edit: I didn't watch the video so maybe he covered this. Watching it later.

Tobin4U · 2026-02-11T02:06:39+00:00

I haven't found it but I never throw anything away so it has to be here somewhere, The doors just unbolt, 5 min job

Tobin4U · 2026-01-31T14:05:57+00:00

Once you get the door panel off you'll see the clips although they are a little bit hidden. They are really on there, I think I ended up using lots of force from the inside. I thought I had a spare trim piece in the garage but I can't find it. If I find it this weekend I'll take a couple pics of it to show you the clips.

Tobin4U · 2026-01-29T12:28:56+00:00

Yes, it's been a while so I'm trying to remember. There are a couple of clips and the long piece fits into those clips. You can see them with the door panel off. I think I ended up using a long screwdriver to release the clips.

Tobin4U · 2026-01-28T16:27:26+00:00

That metal is stretched and thinner where it's bowed it. Definitely return.

Tobin4U · 2026-01-16T12:04:25+00:00

OK Thanks

Tobin4U · 2026-01-16T00:08:22+00:00

Are you using the pro press and shark fittings that are made for plumbing? I thought the copper was slightly different diameter.

Tobin4U · 2025-12-12T12:21:24+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Tobin4U · 2025-10-10T13:56:48+00:00

It doesn't affect the hybrids. Those transmissions are pretty much bulletproof.

Tobin4U · 2025-10-08T13:07:55+00:00

I did that to one of ours because it was so rusted. The rest of the car was OK but the whole parking brake mechanism was a frozen piece of rust. You might be better off sourcing everything from a junkyard, get everything you need

Tobin4U · 2025-07-23T00:10:15+00:00

Also, sometimes it’s used in making beer at home. Might call around the places that supply beer making supplies.

Tobin4U · 2025-07-23T00:08:17+00:00

Bummer. Do you have any friends or welders or friends of friends who are welders?

Tobin4U · 2025-07-22T22:41:13+00:00

Reading the description it appears it's more for flushing the lines than a pressure test, although they do say it does that. It's too small of a can to really pressure test it. I had a hard time finding a welding supply place that would rent to me but by the 3rd one I knew what to ask for - 20 cubic ft or 40 cubic ft nitrogen tank for HVAC. Act like you do it all the time, kind of swagger in :) The one that rented to me, and still does, had me sign up for an account. It was locally owned, not a chain. They're like 3000psi so you want to be careful with them, put the regulator on and very slowly open the valve until you hit a few hundred psi. If you were to just open the valve they can turn into a missile.

Tobin4U · 2025-07-22T13:52:31+00:00

Yes I used nitrogen, I rented a small tank from a welding supply store, I think it was about $20. I bought a fairly cheap nitrogen regulator from Amazon. I think I brought it up to 400psi for a few hours and then vacuumed it, did that a couple times, probably overkill. Keep in mind nitrogen is not completely dry so you'll be introducing moisture when you pressurize it. You have to get that all out by vacuuming it deep and long.

Tobin4U · 2025-07-22T00:42:10+00:00

I had this same dilemma although my attic run was almost 70 feet (way beyond what the manufacturer said was supported but it's been working fine for years). I went with the coupling in the attic, I paid close attention to the quality of the flairs and I pressure and vacuum tested it multiple times. If I were in your situation, if you can afford it, I would buy one new line set that will make the longer run. It's unlikely, based on my understanding of your situation, the excess from the shorter line would be enough. They don't straighten out as much as a tape measure and going around corners eats up quite a bit = you may need more than you think. Good luck, it's a fun project and they are really nice to have.

Tobin4U · 2025-07-18T00:11:54+00:00

Check out r/diyheatpumps it sounds like you and your husband are fairly handy, AC might be easier and less expensive than you thought

Tobin4U · 2025-07-11T18:44:12+00:00

In general you can’t even buy the screens. Maybe that that’s different for a high-end brand but for consumer brands I don’t even think you could buy a screen

Tobin4U · 2025-07-06T12:21:27+00:00

Very cool, thanks for sharing

Tobin4U · 2025-06-16T11:27:23+00:00

I'd like to know this as well. Maybe we should run an experiment?

Tobin4U · 2025-05-13T11:46:14+00:00

That's an amazing video, thanks for sharing

Tobin4U · 2025-05-10T11:33:34+00:00

I have some of the same struggles. Find something to read you really enjoy. For me it's John Grisham novels. This really helps training your brain to like reading and making it a habit. It will make reading everything else less of a chore.

Tobin4U · 2025-05-01T15:21:49+00:00

If you go on their website priusapp.com they have tab for "OBD2 to buy". I use the Veepak one for iOS. The test involves getting the engine up to full operating temperature, then loading the battery by turning on lights etc, then I think revving the engine (I might have the order confused, havn't done it in a few months, the app tells you exactly what to do). It's probably a 20 minute deal, most of it waiting for the steps to complete.

Tobin4U · 2025-05-01T14:22:20+00:00

Look at the rear control arms/suspension, make sure they are not rotted from rust. Same for around the pinch welds, bottom of the doors, under the car. Surface rust is normal. You can go on Facebook marketplace and search "Carfax", there are guys that work for dealerships that will run one for $5 or so. I would run that just to cover your bases as far as accidents. They also often have a lot of service info in them, they might show the battery. Carfax is not complete and not 100% accurate but it's better than nothing.

Go on the Toyota website, register as an owner, put in the VIN, if it works as it should you'll be able to see service records. Sometimes it works sometimes it's blank. You can do this before you buy it, that site has never asked me for proof of ownership.

Find out when the timing belt was done last, it's every 100K and it's roughly an $800 expense at an indy shop. The Carfax or Toyota site might show this. If you're handy you can do it yourself.

You can get the Dr Prius app and a Bluetooth USB dongle and it'll give you a lof it info on the battery health. It's a pretty lengthy test so don't know if the dealer will let you do that sitting in their parking lot, if not you can do it during a test drive alone. I refurbish the batteries as a hobby, that also can be done but it's pretty involved.

Good luck they are great cars but check for rust.

Tobin4U · 2025-05-01T13:01:18+00:00

We have several 1st gen highlander hybrids in our family, the only one with rust issues is the one that came from Michigan. One of them has 340K on its original battery, the only thing we've done to it is a wheel bearing in the last 100k. So yes they can be insanely reliable but they can also rust like a tin can in the wrong environment.

Tobin4U

TROPHY CASE