/diy/ - Do It Yourself

I have a mini split, I installed myself a year ago, third world way without vacuum pump, of course... And it had developed a problem. It kinda ices over in heating mode too frequently. It is just 10C outside, and it is fucking frozen. Also it makes hissing sound when working, and it sounds like compressor is having a nice time and it doesn't work as hard.
Before this it worked fine.
Is it a gas leak? Water in freon? Dirty condenser? Crack in kinked line?
(btw, I can't check it right now, since it is night here)

How do I check charge in AC, given that I don't have a thermometer. What sort of pressure should I aim at (in cooling mode at 25C indoor temp and 20-ish C outdoor)? Fixed orifice.

I have bought second mini split, non-DIY chink bargoon deal, of course.
How should I install it?
First one was installed the thirdworld african-indian way, where I had opened discharge valve and schreder valve, so freon hopefully removed the moist air from the system. System is running a bit low on gas, but zero fucks given, because room is kinda tiny for AC anyway.
But now I have a stolen a compressor from a fridge, R-12 one to be precise. Should I nigger rig the vacuum pump (braze 1/4 valve on suction line) and use it for new install, or it is useless waste of time, because it wouldn't get necessary vacuum anyway?

Also, how do I do tight bends in copper pipe without kinking it?

Winter is coming, and I really liked heat pump action on first one.