Date:         Fri, 4 May 2007 09:36:38 -0700
Reply-To:     Keith Hughes <keithahughes@QWEST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Keith Hughes <keithahughes@QWEST.NET>
Subject:      Re: An upgrade for a more efficent A/C system?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

OR...you could have a 'hybrid' system like the one on my '86 2WD Westy.
It was apparently dealer-installed, versus factory.  I have the larger
condenser, SD508 compressor, larger radiator fan, and I'm not sure what
for an evaporator fan.  It also has the combo temp/fan switch
(constructed of unobtanium apparently) installed to the left of the
steering column, and the drier inside the Front drivers wheel well.  All
the relays are mounted behind the fuse panel on the drivers side.  PITA
to get to!

Keith Hughes
'86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)

>Date:    Fri, 4 May 2007 11:20:01 -0400
>From:    Christopher Gronski <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
>Subject: Re: An upgrade for a more efficent A/C system?
>
>Here's a prior post of mine regarding Vanagon AC systems...
>
>From: Christopher Gronski <gronski@gmail.com>
>Date: Jul 12, 2005 7:44 AM
>Subject: Re: Bottom line on A/C ?
>To: Vince Jahn <vljahn@sbcglobal.net>
>Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
>
>I spent a bit of time investigating this.
>
>VW changed the AC in our vans around 1986 or 1987. From what I can
>tell '86 2WD do not have the change, but '86 syncros have a partial
>upgrade (fan, condesnor, compressor), '87 and newer had even more
>(this coincided with the switch to the grey interior).
>
>In terms of the condensor, with the '86 syncro they moved from
>255272413A that has two sections of fins (with none behind the
>separation of lower and upper grilles) to 253260403 that basically
>covers the whole rad.
>
>Compressors were upgraded around '86 as well some got the SD510 and
>some the SD709. Both were an improvement over the SD508. The first
>number refers to pistons, the second to total displacement. In this
>case the SD510 is about 11% more powerful than the SD709 but the SD709
>is aparently much quieter and saps less power (and it is13% more
>powerful than the SD508).
>
>Both are available from Busdepot. I had the more powerful SD510 in my
>syncro but its dead now and in the interest of future availability
>(Sanden is no longer producing the SD510 - pity it is 25% more
>powerful than the SD508 of earlier vans) I will be replacing it with
>an SD709. The procedure is detailed in Bentley 87.16 and requires two
>specialized refrigerant lines: 253260708E and 253260716A and two each
>of these o-rings: 803260749B & 431260749.
>
>Also around '86 fans were also upgraded from 251959455G to the more
>powerful 251959455M.
>
>The '87 and up grey interior vans got the extended AC ducting off the
>rear AC as well as a larger evaporator and more powerful evaporator
>fans.
>
>So, it is possible that the other vanaagon owners who are reporting
>50F at the vents have newer vans with the VW AC upgrades noted above.
>I was lucky enough to already have the upgraded condensor and fan. I
>am changing out the compressor and plumbing in a BEHR aftermarket AC
>unit that has a second evaporator and fans up front. I am hoping to
>catch a cold this summer...
>
>Chris
>
>
>
>