Date:         Wed, 02 Jul 1997 13:05:46 EDT
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         uvx196@juno.com (Jim Thompson)
Subject:      Re:  AC in Air-Cld vs Water-Cld, Opinions Please!

One of the basic differences between the York Compressors and the later
varieties are that the York was a "piston" type compressor that
definitely consumed critical horsepower needed.  This of course was amply
supplied by most of any of the "Detroit Iron" which even the smallest
straight 6 could provide.  But it was the only type available until the
late 70's on American Cars when the "Radial" type (some times called the
"Vane" type) of compressor was introduced, much more efficient and did
not consume as much HP.  Vane type compressors operate on a similar
approach like the FI fuel pump, except the A/C is driven by a belt.

I believe VW intro'd these vane compressors in 79 or 80 in their
watercooled line-up, but didn't reach the Vanagon until the Wasserboxer
was introduced in Jan  of 83.  I owned a Rabbit PU Diesel with one of
these.  Could hardly tell the difference in power when turned on and I
sure froze my butt off with one of these if I didn't watch it.

However, we all know that vane compressors didn't solve all of VW's
continuing A/C problems which most on the list (plus Lawdy knows others)
have had the displeasure to experience.  I'm picking up a very low
mileage/almost new 90 Fox Wagon (for local commuting round) this next
week that the original A/C is still functioning quite well, but I'm sure
it might be due for servicing.

I haven't reconnected the Rear A/C on my Westy yet.  I'd like to break-in
the engine first.  I've capped off the lines in the engine compartment to
prevent internal contamination until I decide whether or not I want to
replace the compressor (frozen) or just remove the whole contraption for
more room in the rear overhead.

Jim
84 Westy 2.1
62 Beetle (Father was original owner)
Sherwood Automotive * The Old Volks Home (oldvolkshome1@juno.com)
(916) 221-5342

>In a message dated 97-06-30 09:44:22 EDT, csmith@sdsc.edu (Christopher 
>M.
>Smith) writes:
>
><< Would running the AC in the extreme conditions (i.e., HOT!)
> have a 'disasterous' effect of the air-cooled engine ?
> What are the short- and long-term effects ? >>
>
JordanVw@aol.com also writes:
>A/C in an aircooled bus/Van is almost sure death. 
>I have never even been in a aircooled bus/van that had working a/c, as 
>the
>compressor belt has always been off. On the aircooled vans and buses 
>since
>'72, the aircond was always installed after-the-fact, at the dealer. 
>There is
>no such thing as "factory aircond." in a aircooled bus or van. All the 
>a/c
>compressors on the aircooled buses and vans were usually made my York
>compressors of York, Pa. The York compressors were the same ones that 
>were
>used on other American behemouths such as Ford Galaxies and such.  
>They're
>huge compressors, and put too much strain on the aircooled engine. 
>VWOA must
>have gotten a good deal with York to use their compressors without any 
>regard
>to lasting affects on the engines they were installed on. The majority 
>of
>aircooled buses and vans I see in junkyards with blown engines have 
>the
>dealer installed a/c units, and EVERY late bus I've seen in a junkyard 
>with
>an engine fire has had a/c....
>
>just something to think about...
>
>chris
>