(nfb) R-134A? my truck's a/c is no longer cooling...

In MA, can you buy this w/o an HVAC permit? I have seen it in cans (that look like fix-a-flat) on endcaps at auto parts stores, but wasn't sure if you needed some sort of identification to buy it? Should I look into this now even though it is not a cooling season? My thinking is the seals will dry up over the off-season if left low or empty and could cost me more to fix in the Spring? I am hoping all it is is a low refrigerant level, when turned on, I can hear the compressor cycling on (a lot more than usual, almost continuous), but there is no cold air coming out of the vents. Cooments? Ideas? Thanks. -Jeff

Anyone can buy it.

I think you are thinking of R-12 which is what they used before the R-134, that stuff you do need an HVAC license to buy.

test the level and do a leak check before you go putting any more coolant into the system, too much refrigerant and it can blow up the compressor and do damage elsewhere in the system.

Yeah, any auto parts store will have a guage that you can put on and see the pressure level before you go adding refrigerant.