Date: Fri, 20 Dec 2002 14:45:33 -0700
Reply-To: Larry Chase <lchase@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Larry Chase <lchase@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: RoadHaus - Front AC Kit Install / Final Report
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Volks,
I couple of months ago ... I purchased a Front Air Conditioning Unit,
had it Installed and the Rear A/C Rebuilt by European Cooler Air of
Dallas, TX.
Yeah I know .... Hard to think about A/C this time of the year.
Here's my Final Vendor/Product Report:
European Cooler Air, Inc.
972-771-3791
2671 East FM 552
Rockwall, Texas 75087
E-mail: Jerry West jwest@europeancoolerair.com
http://www.europeancoolerair.com/repair01.htm
Vehicle:1990 Westy Syncro with existing Rear AC.
My work order:
Purchase & install Front A/C Kit
Rebuild Existing Rear OE A/C
Convert Existing system to Freeze 12 (preferred by installer)
Replace A/C Hoses
Replace Existing A/C Compressor with a higher capacity 10ci unit.
Cost: Front A/C Kit is $650 (not including installation) Other work was
extra.
Total bill approx $1800
Front A/C Kit Component Photos:
http://www.fototime.com/inv/56FC8E86B84B48A
Front A/C Installed Photos:
http://www.fototime.com/inv/CAA19FEA9AD899D
QUALITY:
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best):
Workmanship: 7
Customer Service: 9
Quality of Materials: 9
Completed on Time: 7
COMMENTS:
What Worked,
Front AC Performance:
Before leaving Dallas I put a temp gauge in the front right AC vent.
Temps got down to around 30 degrees F in a few minutes with outside
temps in the 70's.
Since then I have taken additional measurements and each time the front
system seems to get down to 25-29 degrees F within a few minutes. The
outside temperatures have been between 50 - 70 degrees F.
Won't truly know till this summer. But as of now .... Performance seems
great.
Air flow coming out of the vents decreases from right to center to left
as you would expect. Comparing the air flow to Warren Chapman's front
Behr Unit I saw at Van-O-Rama .... I would say the Behr puts out more
air flow. I think this unit will be adequate but wished there was a tad
more flow out the drivers vent. Also the fan motor seems pretty quiet.
The visual outside appearance of the front AC Kit is excellent. The only
thing you see if the tall center vent I opted for. The existing left /
right fresh air vents are used for the other vents. Also ... because of
this, the outside air intake is blocked off .. so you loose the fresh
air capability. Not an issue for me, but might be for some folks.
The Kit is so small ... It fits up under the dash without it's removal.
See photo's in the Installed Album. And you really don't loose any
significant space in your glove box ... Like you do with the Behr unit.
What Didn't Work,
The work was estimated to take 1 1/2 days but took 3 days.
After leaving Dallas and crawling thru the install a bit .... some minor
things were not done too well.
Example:
1. The front AC install requires new hoses thru the firewall behind the
right head light. I left Dallas in a terrible rain storm. At the first
Gas stop 250 miles down the road .... I noticed the passenger carpet was
soaking wet.
Days later when I had time to investigate I discovered that no grommets
or sealant were used were the hoses went thru the firewall. Easy to fix
.... but should not have been installed this way.
2. One of the main long A/C hoses was a bit too long .... Excess length
was just tucked up under the frame ... Not secured in a tidy neat
manner.
3. The new electrical wiring was kind of strung along and wound around
existing A/C Hoses.
All easy to correct, but should have been done more professionally.
4. The AC controls had to be rerouted a bit.
You end up with three controls.
Compressor
Front Fan
Rear Fan
The rear fan control is now mounted in the Syncro Decoupler cluster. One
other installation peeve ... Jerry never asked if that's where I wanted
it ... he decided on his own.
In my case, no problem. But really should be discussed ahead of time.
What I'd Do Different,
I'd purchase the Front A/C Kit from European Cooler Air and have a
trusted and know local A/C shop do the install.
I'd walk thru all possible control placement, firewall sealing etc
issues ahead of time and agree on a plan for each.
- - -
IN SUMMARY ..... I believe this Front A/C Kit is a good solution that
will greatly improve the Vanagon OE A/C system performance.
I would recommend it for purchase.
If you have any questions ..... please feel free to email me.
Larry Chase
Email: lchase@attglobal.net
Web: www.roadhaus.com - Under Construction
What: The Great North American Road Trip
When: Early 2003
How: RoadHaus - 1990 2.2 L VW Westfalia Syncro
Today: Mesa, AZ - 12V Stuff
From: Mesa, AZ