Date: Fri, 2 Aug 2002 12:09:34 -0500
Reply-To: anthony kimmons <akimmons@HOUSTON.RR.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: anthony kimmons <akimmons@HOUSTON.RR.COM>
Subject: Re: Removing/Replacing A/C Unit?
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I removed the entire A/C from my 87 GL van about year ago, planning on
rebuilding the
whole thing. Then I got layed off from work and the pieces of the A/C are still
laying on the van floor.
All the time I"m wondering why did Volkswagen attach all those heavy A/C
components to the plastic
cover instead of to the Van roof???? It does come down all at once and is a
bitch to put back up when you
are alone.
It would be so much easier to repair/replace if you could remove the cover and
then remove the parts!
Is there a way to put this back together with this in mind? Many of the screw
holes on my plastic cover
are broke or breaking and I would like to replace this in a better manner than
it was originally. I know there
was a recall to place reinforcements on the center channel. Is it possible to
attach all the parts of the A/C first and then
find a way to "snap" the outer cover over them??
While on this topic...anyone "repair" cracked screw holes in this cover plastic
so that they are just as strong?
Is is possible to fiberglass around them or something? Would rather do this
than buy a whole new cover if possible.
Anyone try this?
thanks
-t
ian Butler wrote:
> 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
--
Anthony Kimmons, Houston Texas
http://www.akimmons.com