Thank you all for the great input. Based on your comments and technical expertise (Mechanical and geography!) I am now at 50-50 to remove the AC. If I summarise some of the information I received:

-Engine too small to run an AC ... No but mileage will be lower. -North of Boston (On the map I use) ... No AC needed -If you are in hot area like Texas, yes you need it (Unless you are not a salesman!) -Value of Westy ... lower but maybe not significant -Surfer ... don't need it -Minimum cost to fix $800 and more money to maintain if you don't use it very often ... like people living in Texas

To make my decision I need 49-51 (Democratic decision), I still need to evaluate: 1.Do I need to replace the complete cabinet or when I remove the plastic tunnel and heat exchanger I will be able to built a small door and use the new space for storage 2.Any space gain inside the small shelving cabinet on the side? 3.Some WEB site are stating "2.1l engine are too small and overheating too common to run an AC and even if you have one, it will not be that cold...", anybody agrees with this statement?

Maybe we should come up with a scientific formula to make that decision? Ex. If "men age" = 50 then "AC needed", or house in "Chicago" and Westy <1985 then "NO AC needed".....

Thanks again for your constructive comments. Joel

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of Chris Radcliffe Sent: 4-Mar-05 10:59 To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Air conditioning keep it or leave it?

I live near the coast, South of San Francisco. I don't need AC in my '90 Westy, maybe we see 3 heat waves per year (over 85 degrees for us). So I removed it.

By replacing the AC cabinet with a matching storage cabinet from an earlier year, I am able to store 3 or 4 surfboards in the ceiling, using bungee cords to hang them from the pop-top support bars and pointing the noses into the cabinet (door down half way).

Oh yeah, and with no boards up there, I noticed just slightly better mileage (maybe 1 mpg) and with less weight, the vehicle handles better.

There is no question in my mind that I will keep this Westy for a long time to come. If I ever do sell it, it will likely be to another surfer. And the non-AC, surfboard-storage option will be an enhancement rather than a detriment to the sale.

ChrisR in SF

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of Sharpe, John M (John) Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 6:50 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Air conditioning keep it or leave it?

Joel,

Removing the A/C may not be a good idea for resale reasons, but I did remove it from the '86 Westy Weekender that I use to own. It never worked in the 8 years that I had the van to that point. I remove the whole thing, compressor, evaporator, hoses, dash controls you name it. I was able to trade the overhead cabinet from my van for an older non-A/C cabinet from Chris/JordanVW. The non-A/C cabinet was in poor shape so I removed the veneer and contact paper. I then sanded, added braces and glued the joints. I had paint mixed to match the side cabinet, primed and did two or three top coats, matched exactly. I then got new "T" modeling from GoWesty and new speakers. I filled in the hole in the dash with a round tachometer mounted in piece of fiber board which I had painted black. Not very useful for diving but it did help when working on the engine. Everything ended up looking great.

It seemed to me that the van was happier without it, but that's just my opinion.

I was able to use it a trade for the 02 EV, technically I got $2K for it but the sale receipt listed it as $6k, used car dealers and the games they play.

John 83.5 camper, the project, w/o A/C! 02 Eurovan MV, the driver

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of Martine Boudreault Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 8:19 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Air conditioning keep it or leave it?

I have a 1989 Westy. Air Conditioning never worked and I have to change the front radiator. (Read: spend lots of $$) My question could become very subjective but here it is; is it wise to keep the AC if you leave north of Boston? I read many email saying that our 2.1l engine are not design for AC anyway. Should I keep it in the Westy or take it out and have a nice storage cabinet? Has anyone remove the AC heat exchanger to make a storage cabinet, is this a good idea? Thanks Joel