Date:         Tue, 7 May 2013 14:49:45 -0700
Reply-To:     Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: AC 134a refrigerant leak down
Comments: To: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <518968F3.8@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Someone on this list (Dennis?) has mentioned that a likely source of leaks is a crack in one of the condensor fittings up at the front of the van or, more precisely, a crack in the condensor itself where it connects to a hose fitting.  I think my van suffers from this since a drawing in the copious notes and receipts references this.  If this exists and was not addressed during your system overhaul it would be the likely suspect.
My own '87 Westy got a cheapo R134a conversion a few years back and because of presumed leaks needs a recharge per season to keep cooling.  I'm due for a system redo (new hoses, etc.) and now that I have a garage I might attempt it.  Good luck!

Stephen

--- On Tue, 5/7/13, JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

From: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: AC 134a refrigerant leak down
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2013, 4:49 PM

18 months ago I had the AC system gone completely through - and
converted to R134a. It got new seals and the whole nine yards. the
system ran great through the hottest months but then began to show signs
of 134a leakage by virtue of reduced cooling. That got progressively
worse. Twice I added refrigerant, but the cooling has once again dropped
off.

Givben this - obviously I have a leak.  I was wondering about the
application of one of those sealers to the refrigerant? Do they really
work??

I dropped a bundle to get this fixed, and would hate to have to do it
again.!!

Recommendations?

Thanks,

John Rodgers
Birmingham, AL