Chris, All told, the total cost was nearly $900 -- keep in mind I had a new compressor and it, alone, was $265. The remainder was labor (I forget how many hours, but it was significant), and the (cheaper) R134a along with assorted other misc. items. The Carat is basically a Weekender without a pop-top, or a Westy without a pop-top and all the camping gear. Oh, I also have a automatic, pwr windows, pwr mirrors and cruise control (that's the "Carat" part I think) -- also rear-facing "mid" seats with a fold-out table. You can see most of the models here: http://www.vanagonparts.com/photos.html My Carat fits under the Caravelle model. -Robert -----Original Message----- From: 80 Westy Pokey <pokey@vanagon.org> To: rcampbell-vanagon6706@mailblocks.com Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Sent: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 11:24:05 -0400 Subject: Re: R12 to R134a Air Conditioning Conversion

What did it cost you? How many hours of labour? DId they break down the cost of the conversion vs the leak test? This may be a silly question but I don't know a lot about Carats, so here goes...is it a westy?

Thanks, Chris

---- Original message ---- >Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 08:12:44 -0700 >From: <rcampbell-vanagon6706@mailblocks.com> >Subject: Re: R12 to R134a Air Conditioning Conversion >To: pokey@VANAGON.ORG, vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > > Chris, > > My '91 Carat has been converted to R134a. However, > this was in conjunction with a leak diagnosis. What > happened to me was this: my R12 system leaked out > in a matter of weeks. Living in FL, driving with > A/C is definitely preferred. So, off to the > mechanic I went... System charged and holding, very > odd. But, start the engine, engage compressor and > viola! leak found! The compressor was at fault. > > So, new compressor and all is well. All that was > changed, in addition to the compressor, was the > receiver/dryer (Bus Depot). Other than that, the > system was flushed, and a good vacuum was pulled on > the entire system. My van spent the week in the > shop to make sure that the fault was found. Thus > far, running R134a it is GREAT! I was considering > the front A/C, but this thing is so cold (to date) > that I don't need it. And, remember I'm in FL, it > was already 81F this morning around 7:30 -- so I use > the A/C daily now! In direct sunlight (I don't have > tinted windows yet either!) my system still manages > to keep things cool. > > Now, as for o-rings and such, I don't know for sure > if my mechanic changed them. But, since the entire > system was disconnected and checked (during > diagnosis of the leak), I'm thinking that any such > consummable items would be replaced..... still, not > really sure. > > Good luck! > > -Robert > '91 Carat, 149K miles, original engine > > -----Original Message----- > From: 80 Westy Pokey <pokey@VANAGON.ORG> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Sent: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 10:56:51 -0400 > Subject: R12 to R134a Air Conditioning Conversion > > Anyone done one of these? What does it entail? > > Thanks, > Chris