Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2001 09:14:39 -0400
Reply-To: Jim Henry <jch@VNET.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Henry <jch@VNET.NET>
Organization: JCH GIS
Subject: Re: singin' the AC blues.....
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Jim,
I have just gone through the upgrade to R134 with different problems, but problems none the less.
Someone posted the following link, http://www.griffiths.com/achelp/achelp1.htm to the list a few weeks ago, and I found it quite helpful.
I had a hose burst the first time there was any real load put on the system after the conversion, and I now think it is a good idea to replace at least the main hose from the dryer to the overhead unit when you convert to R134 because they are most susceptible to oil damage (and are usually at least 10 years old). I had to search pretty hard to
find a FLAPs that still would make ac hoses, but actually found that did it on Saturday. The main hose is 17 feet long and cost about $12 for the ends and between $1.80 and $3.50 per foot for the hose. (different FLAPs, same quality hose, NAPA was most expensive) Ken Lewis reported having all of his replaced for around $80.
Good luck with your compressor, and look at your hoses. The evacuation and refill with R134 was $100, I can only be glad it was not R12 at $75/lb.
Good luck.
Jim Henry
James Fritz wrote:
> Volks,
>
> Been off list in lurker mode for the last two years while I've been
> building a big addition on the house. I really should have rented the
> movie "The Money Pit" before I started just so I had a better idea what I
> was getting into.
>
> Anyway, the missus can't handle the heat and this spring our 89 Westy wasn't cranking any cold air out of the AC. I remembered from when I was an
> active list member that there was a lot of discussion about the R12 to
> R134A conversion. My regular "guru VW mechanic" doesn't do AC stuff but
> recommended me to the only other mechanic in town that I trust. Two years
> ago he recharged it with R12 and things were hunky dorey. This year he
> informs me that he got out of the R12 game and was only R134A, could do
> the conversion for me, and that common wisdom that now prevailed was that
> all of the conversion of dryers, evaporators, compressors, etc. that were orignally discussed in the AC field were found to be unneccessary. I trusted him, based on other work he's done for me, so I gave him the OK.
>
> I probably should have checked the archives but my internet connection
> these days stinks, and I usually climb off the ladder at dusk after working
> the day on the house and I'm too tired to do the homework.
>
> Anyway, long story short: He does the conversion, puts in a tracer dye
> and sends it home $100 later. Next day we see leaking freon under the
> back cabinet. Take it back to leave with him to find out what's wrong. I
> finally call after a couple days and he tells me he had to replace the trinary switch behind the cabinet because its leaking profusely. (Course he got the part from VWOA before I found out so I paid $80 more than I should have.) He
> recharges it and sends it home $230+ later. I get it home, get out of the
> van and hear a hissing coming from the rear. Pop the engine compartment
> lid and a rather loud hissing is coming from the compressor. I return to
> him, he shakes his head and says he can't imagine why these components are
> failing like this. He explains to me that the R134A particles are smaller
> than R12 but also tells me that he does 4 conversions a day without these
> problems.
>
> So here's my dilemma: Can I rebuild this compressor? Who manufactures it?
> Are there rebuild kits available from any of the list vendors? Or should I just go with a new compressor from BD? Is this an unusual problem or did I do something stupid by not consulting the list first? What's conventional wisdom on the list: Change evaporators/dryers etc. or not? Will I ever have AC again without giving up my first born?
>
> I remain in lurker mode but will monitor the list. Pmail would be
> appreciated. Send to jfritz@willinet.net
>
> Danke,
> Jim in Iowa
> 91 Passat Wagon
> 89 Westy
> 66 Beetle
> 92 Ford Ranger
--
Jim and Lois Henry
Durham, NC
www.jchgis.com (Jim) dull work stuff
www.foxcarving.com (Lois) really neat stuff
84 GSL-SE
85 GSL-SE (parts car)
84 Vanagon Westfalia camper
95 Oldsmobile Aurora
93 Geo Prism
87 RX7 na
jch@jchgis.com
lkhenry@vnet.net
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