Date:         Tue, 1 Aug 2000 00:25:01 -0700
Reply-To:     Todd Last <Rubatoguy@mindspring.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Todd Last <Rubatoguy@mindspring.com>
Subject:      Re: Leaky A/C in an '89 Westy
Comments: To: "Penberthy, Thomas" <TPenberthy@creativepro.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

1.) The leaking is from a blocked or loose drain hole. Take off the rear-side
black plastic engine vents.
     Look inside for a rubber hose. Make sure that the end opens freely. If
water comes out, then your problem is
     probably that the hose was stuck closed. If not, take off the back grill
in front of the rear hatch (I'm assuming you have a Westy)
     flash a flashlight and you should see that the mechanical A/C stuff sits
in a black plastic tray.
     Look along the left and right sides and make sure that the hoses fit into
the connections in the tray.

     Refer to Benely pp76.7 illustrations 77-037, 77-038 and pp76.8
illustration 77-044

     I had this happen in my van and the cause was that the hose had worked
loose at the tray.

2.) This is "normal" VW wrapped the a/c coils in black foam. As the foam ages
(particularly if it gets wet) it crumbles and gets spit out
       of the A/C ducts. When you remove the back panel, you can use a vacuum
to try to suck up the loose foam.
      If you are a glutton for punishment, you can lower the cabinet to free
the coils and clean them off.
       Warning: You practically have to take every bit of cabinetry out of a
westy to get at the A/C coils. (at least in an '88)
       Don't ask how I know this.

      Refer to Bentley pp 76.14 illustration 77-049 and 77-051


regards,

Todd


"Penberthy, Thomas" wrote:

> Imagine my partner's surprise...
>
> We're cruising into a left-hand turn at the bottom of a hill when she's
> doused with a stream of cold water raining down from above (she was in the
> back seat).
>
> I know enough about A/C to understand that it's condensation accumulation,
> but I don't know enough about Westy's to know where the run-off is supposed
> to be going, and where it could be clogged up.
>
> A separate issue with my A/C: I'm noticing little foam bits on the floor of
> the back of the van sometimes after running it. Is that normal, or is it
> something I should be worrying about?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> /tom