Date:         Fri, 2 Aug 2002 12:37:53 -0400
Reply-To:     ian Butler <ian@BLUEMOON.HPLX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         ian Butler <ian@BLUEMOON.HPLX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Removing A/C Unit?
Comments: To: psavage <psavage@PACIFIC.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <001101c239a7$d7352060$9e405142@n0e4e8>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Thu, 1 Aug 2002, psavage wrote:

> Volks,
> I'm eyeing my A/C & thinking of yanking it out!
> I never use it while home or traveling & might rather
> put all that available space to better use.
>
> Has anyone done this?
> I'd like to leave the cabinet/housing in place ultimately.
> Please clue me in to removal process if you've learned
> anything to pass along.
> Thanks!

Although it sounds like you're talking about a Westy, I'd like to share some
helpful advice about removing the overhead A/C in a standard Vanagon: don't!

At least, not unless you have another person helping.  Because that lovely
rear housing, as I found out, is not just a hood, but a tray containing two
blower motors, speakers, and a massive radiator thingy that I always forget
what it's called.  25-35 pounds, all told, and it comes right down on your
head when you remove all the screws and take out the side panels..  And
then, the wiring harness running up to the front rips the ductwork down
one piece at a time, and you look forward through the reddish haze of pain
to see utter destruction in your wake...

Not that I would ever have done something like that last month.  No sir.


ian "Freakin' service manual's a hundred bucks!  @#$% dat!" Butler
'87 GL Syncro, '88 Scirocco 16v