Date:         Mon, 6 Jun 2011 11:33:39 -0400
Reply-To:     Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Do AC hoses HAVE to be replaced on a 134a conversion?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi all,

I really need to get the AC working in my van and don't have the time, so
I've taken my 90 Westy to a shop in Northern Virginia (Brenner's Automotive
in Manassas) to have the new condensor installed and the system converted to
134a. They have the equipment and supposedly knowledge to do the job (e.g.
hose fittings fabricated, etc).

One of the things the guy at the shop told me before I brought the van in
was that the hoses could be re-used if they were in good condition (which
they are) and the fittings repalced to install the new condensor (the old
fittings are corroded and shot). This morning, speaking to a different guy
at the shop, I was told that that the hoses would all have to be replaced to
convert to 134a (he hadn't looked at them for condition yet).

Question is: Is that really true? Even though the 134a operates at a higher
pressure, I didn't think there was any components other than the dryer and
fill valves on the compressor that had be replaced. (plus oil, any leaky
o-rings and the refridgerant).

I have a new condensor from Bus Depot, new dryer and a 'conversion kit' that
has all kinds of o-rings (and fill valves too, I think). The assume the new
condensor has R-12 fittings and the shop could just replace the hose ends
that connect to the condensor with R-12 fittings as well, right?

Thanks,
Gregg