Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2000 17:07:50 +0200
Reply-To: Raimund Feussner <rfeussner@gmx.de>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Raimund Feussner <rfeussner@gmx.de>
Subject: Re: Lets rip out the Air conditioner - 89 vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Man, that makes me cry...
Here in Germany ACs are so rare, having an AC is the dream of every
"average" Vanagon driver. We pay at least $500 for it.
US people want to get rid of them.
You could find them on wrecking yards...
*sigh* If i only had the possibility to get one to Germany for a few
bucks....
Raimund
> Michael,
>
> I don't supposed you're related to Dr. William Schiesser of Lehigh
University?
>
> > I want to rip out my AC.
>
> Woohoo! Been there, done that.
>
> > A. It doesn't work (needs lots of new parts( ~$1000 worth to get it
working)
>
> Sounds familiar.
>
> > B. If it did, it would overheat the engine
>
> I got some switches smokin' before I ripped it out.
>
> > C. It takes up so much room
>
> Heavy too. You'll take at least a hundred pounds off your vehicle.
>
> > D. IT's freon based and we all know the state of the ozone layer
>
> No comment...I have my own theory.
>
> > 1.Has anyone done this before? (tips please)
>
> Yup. Recover the refrigerant first, otherwise, letter D above is being
> violated. Also, you'll spray oil all over the place (BTDT...I thought
mine was
> discharged).
>
> I'm sure you'll figure out the rest of the procedure. It's pretty
straight-
> forward. The overhead rear cabinet is VERY heavy. Make sure it's
supported
> when you start to take it down or it'll whack you big time. You'll need
to
> remove the side pillars and pull some of the hoses and relays out from the
> driver' side rear pillar.
>
> To take the condenser off the radiator, you'll need to drop the radiator
> because of the way the condenser is attached (2 screws and then it swings
> back...no way to do it in place that I know of).
>
> I left a few of the other hoses running front to back in place. Too much
> hassle, IMHO.
>
> The compressor will require a big hex key. 6mm, I think. The cast
bracket is
> worth something to those that broke theirs.
>
> > 2.Does anyone want any of the parts? I think the compressor and
exchanger
> > work fine, its line leaks etc that are the problem
>
> Yeah, you'll get some takers, but not for everything. I still have the
> evaporator and expansion valve assembly 'cause nobody wanted those, but I
know
> as soon as I toss it someone will offer $200 for it. ;-)
>
> > 3. Any cool ideas of what to do with all that extra overhead space? Can
I get
> > factory looking overhead cabinet anywhere. I'd like to put some speakers
and
> > maybe a subwoofer up there.
>
> I just put the empty shell back up and put stuff in there. I lined it
with
> contact paper because that black foamy stuff was all over the place.
>
> Drop the center ducts and now you can put a poptop on, like I did. :-)
>
> The front air distributor can be made into a shelf. I did...see pics on
Bev's
> web page.
>
> -Karl
>
> Karl & Kristina Bloss, Trexlertown, PA - '87 Weekender "Bev" - 198K Miles
> http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw - vanagon@makarov.com
> VW Shop List: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/vwshops
> PA/NJ/DE/MD area VW bus "group" http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/pavanagon
> Red Hat LINUX 6.2 - for IQs higher than 3.1/95/98
>
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