Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:48:25 -0400
Reply-To: BJ Feddish <bfeddish@NETREACH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: BJ Feddish <bfeddish@NETREACH.NET>
Subject: Re: fixing a/c -- what to plan on?
In-Reply-To: <625621.56308.qm@web60319.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
You are correct. I failed to mention the relationship I've had with all of
my mechanics since I've owned VW buses. When I did the A/C they did it with
the understanding that I did not have high expectations. They went ahead
with the work with my understanding that the end result may not be a running
A/C system. I had no guarantees that after replacing the compressor, drier,
etc. that it would even work. I usually supply my own parts too for all my
repairs and risk the "warranty" associated with them supplying the parts.
This has always worked out well for me.
As for my AC. It works but leaks. That's where I gave up 8 years ago. I know
where it's leaking; I need 2 new hoses that go from the compressor and to
the front of the van. I just recently discovered my current mechanic will
take them off and send them out to get new ones made. I'm going to try that
and see what happens. He also knows I don't have high expectations. Now if I
drove it into an AC shop and said "Make this system work". I can fully
expect them to quote me an exorbitant price.
Bryan
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
TJ Hannink
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 12:58 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: fixing a/c -- what to plan on?
It's not so much a "Go Away" price as it is a "Cover my Butt" price for
warranty work. You are asking a shop owner to work on a +16 year old system,
then provide a warranty for 30 days on material and labor. If he converts
the system to R-134a, all of the original components are subject to
pressures that they were not originally designed for.
If it was my shop, I would quote to replace the condensor, evaporator,
compressor, receiver/dryer, expansion valve and refrigerant lines and
upgrade the electrical wiring in the rear cabinet and let you decide which
ones that you wanted to replace; but offer no warranty for the work.
I have replaced the compressor, receiver/dryer, refrigerant lines and the
rear cabinet electrical wiring after converting to R-134a and have
acceptable system performance. Its not going to freeze you out of the Van,
but will keep you comfortable once you cool the interior off (which can take
a while after sitting in the afternoon sun).
Where I live, I use my A/C 9 months out of the year and would sell my
Camper if I couldn't repair the system and keep it functioning at an
acceptable level. I have probably spent more money on the A/C system in the
last +7 years/100,000 miles of ownership then any other system on the
Camper.
One last thing, when you or your shop is recharging the A/C, make sure
they close the engine hatch and rear hatch when checking refrigerant
pressures; you want to keep the incoming air to the evaporator as cool as
possible like you would in a typical vehicle.
Good luck,
Tim
BJ Feddish <bfeddish@NETREACH.NET> wrote:
If you are planning this far in advance then I would spend some time
talking
to different shops as to who is willing to work on your van for a fair
price. 90% of the shops out there will quote you a "Go Away" price to
discourage you. Find the other 10% that will take the time to correctly
diagnoses, fix and upgrade your system for a reasonable amount.
Bryan
TJ Hannink
Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
1981 Bluebird Wanderlodge, FC-33SB
Des Allemands, Louisiana
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wolfsburg_campers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FC_wanderlodge
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