Date:         Mon, 6 Jun 2011 11:19:09 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Do AC hoses HAVE to be replaced on a 134a conversion?
Comments: To: Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BANLkTik=+XF3eT_gWYmOfzGMXqRpdWvWHQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 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?

Bavarian Autohaus certainly did not replace the hoses on my '91 Campmobile when they converted the air conditioning to R134a.  They flushed the system, and replaced the old oil with a new, R134a compatible oil.  They did replace the dryer and valves.

Why would the hoses need replacing (other than being cracked or otherwise deteriorated??

mcneely