Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 10:00:34 -0700
Reply-To: roger sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: roger sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Summer coming , and your a/c compressor is shot? read on
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This is a proposal for an experiment. A new sander 508 for the vanagon cost about $300-$400. Here is a way around this problem of getting a new compressor without spending the babys milk money. The Sanden 508 is a versital ,and durable compressor that is avaliable in about 25 different configurations. Each with a different clutch/pully assembly, or rear "head".The main body(with the drain plug) remains the same throught.These compresors are found on Jeep cheerokies(sp), Chrysler products, other VW's, Saabs,and many many more makes I dont have this list, but I think it can be obtained .The way around the delema is to obtain another Sanden 508 from a doner car. The rear head can be removed and the head from the vanagon attached to the new .This head is cast of 1` piece of aluminum Kinda like an old automotive flat head.No moving parts inside.The head bolts need to be tightened in a star pattern,like a wheel does.The front clutch is a different story. It need to be pressed off by an
a/c shop , and your old clutch /pully installed.Many of these Sanden compressors on vanagons have not been used for many years. The clutch has seen little service , and should last on the replacement compressor .Perhaps a virtually new compressor can be found at a junk yard for cheap.Like one sometimes finds nearly new starter moters or altenators or water pumps or carberators installed.If so, you have hit the jack pot, and maybe the virtually new clutch assembly and be exchanged with the shop in payment for this swap service. Remove the compresor and drain out the oil to see if any is left inside. If about 4 ounces is still in the compressor, you have a good candidate.Rear heads are routinly swapped out. The clutch swap will not break the compresor seal.A sanden 508 body is a sanden 508 body.If it was made for 134a, it will have a new number other that a 508, but it is still a 508. Only the insides have been beefed up to take the higher pressures. It will compress 134a, or R-12,
and not know the difference.These 2 refrigerants are getting closer and closer in price these days. This is a start to renewing that old 83.5-85 a/c system.You know , the one that was estimated at $1800.00 to repair.The one that Bently has forsaken.By the way the difference between a new compressor,and a rebuilt cmpressor is as follows: Rebuilt has a new clutch/pulley; a new shaft seal;a new rear valve plate;a shinny paint job.Thats it! The guts ant not touched at all. Another cheap way out that may or may not work is to reuse the reciever -dryer(I can hear people screaming already,cant you?).I have heard rumors that some people have put these in a oven at 250 degrees and drove off any moisture that was collect inside.Cap the openings till use. I once cut open a reciever from the vanagon , and can say that it is a very heavy duty device.A steel screen seperates the top from the bottom. The bottom is filled with a dessicant in the form of little balls about like buck shot.The dryer
was 20 years old , and in good shape. (I can still hear them screaming) These balls,and reciever- dryer should survive a roasting on the barbie.If your vanagon a/c is history and you have little money, or hope that this a/c will ever be repaired, these suggestions will only hurt you by about $40 to try . The remaining necessitys for a fructioning a/c in a 83.5-85 vanagon will cost about $100. These inclued ;new o-rings($10); 2 gallons of mineral spirits , for flush($10). 1 days rental on a vaccume pump($25); 16 ounces of ester oil($10); air compressor( beg steal or borrow);expansion valve($29);refrigerant($40);Oops, I went over $100.There for you must use your own labor, and lots of it..Buy your R-12 on ebay in a large lot, say 10 or 12 cans, and resell what you dont use on ebay at a profit. Small lots go for much more than a quantity goes for.To buy , just sign a paper saying that the freon is for resale only. Epa licence to buy is avaliable on ebay for $7. 4 cans of Refrigerant
r-12,(-$10).Who knows maybe a/c that works is in the stars for you this summer.$150
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