Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2000 04:34:48 -0400
Reply-To: Harry Patrick <goeire@webtv.net>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Harry Patrick <goeire@webtv.net>
Subject: A/C Vents
Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=ISO-8859-1
Brian,
I also have 84 Westy with rear A/C. I have window tint which probably
helps some, but I find the A/C very adequate. If you carefully aim the
vents this makes a great difference. Although it takes a while to cool
the large volume of air. While traveling in 90+ degree weather I find
it necessary to use a slower fan speed or raise the thermostat or it
gets uncomfortably cold. BTW I keep my house at 70 degrees to give you
an idea of what I find comfortable.
I found that my heater box was allowing outside air thru with levers in
closed position. I first checked that cables were properly adjusted.
Next I took the entire assembly out if the vehicle and opened it up to
find the rubber on the flap type valves completely deteriorated.
This is a real PIA as it requires dash removal. I located some
appropriately sized foam rubber at an auto upholstery shop to repair the
flappers.
I also experienced the groaning related to engine speed. Mine also
increased in intensity as system pressure increased when stopped or in
slow traffic. I replaced hoses, thinking it may be a partial blockage
from an internal hose deterioration. The high pressure one was in bad
shape internally, but not the problem.
A local shop thought it was belt vibration so I built an idler pulley
from a water pump, but it still groaned.
I noticed my wife's Golf which has same Sanden compressor has a muffler
device on the suction hose. Unable to find a similar muffler from a VW
in local salvage yard I used a quite small one from a Chrysler product.
I placed it in the intake (suction) hose apx 3 ft from the compressor
(under vehicle and forward of rear axle). This stopped the groaning.
Hope this helps!
Harry Patrick
Florida
vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com (Vanagon Mailing List) From:
bkeese@indiana.edu (Keese, Brian W) Date: Thu, Jun 15, 2000, 3:27pm
(EDT-1) To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: AC vents
Things have slowed down for me at work, so I am glad to re-join this
wonderful list.
I have an 84 Westy which I love. I runs beautifully and everything works
well -- even the (rear) AC.
I am looking for ideas for getting all that cold air up to the front.
I'd like to find some way that looks decent, doesn't interfere with
using the poptop, and actually does what is intended. Any ideas? I have
thought about different ways of running a duct. Maybe run something up
the shelf on the drivers side near the roof. Or, could one use vents
off a later model that would at least bring the air up to the front edge
of the bottom of the upper bunk? Maybe there's a way to use the (mostly
useless) fresh air vents that run along the passenger side by reversing
the air flow. I don't know how the air distribution works, but wouldn't
it be cool (punny, huh) to force cold air into the fresh air vents at
the rear, then by moving the vent controls in a certain way, have the
cold air forced out through the heater (or whatever) vents up front?
By the way, it doesn't help that lots of warm air leaks in through the
front vents. I think the seals went last summer during a high speed trip
through the deserts of New Mexico. What are the chances of being able to
fix this problem?
One other thing... How normal is it for the AC to emit a sort of moan
that is directly related in pitch/loudness to the RPM of the engine? I
think it's coming from the receiver/drier and only when the AC clutch is
engaged.
Any insights will be greatly appreciated.
Brian Keese
84 Westy Wolfsburg
Bloomington, Indiana
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