Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 12:10:31 -0400
Reply-To: PAT <pdooley@GTE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: PAT <pdooley@GTE.NET>
Subject: DIY AC
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Well, you guys will probably think I am the cheapest sob on the list.
My friend's 85 scirocco was purchased used with no condenser. The car was
hit lightly in the front and repaired, with the exception of the AC.
We got a condenser out of the yard for 15 bucks, and a new dryer local for
20. Went to the FLAPS known for its cheap AC prices and bought a 134a-12
adapter for $2, 134 oil for $5, and 3 12oz cans of 134 for $3.88 each.
We pulled the compressor and drained it of the old oil, poured in the new.
Hooked up the new dryer, checked the old dryer to make sure the desiccant
bag was intact. All lines that were opened got new orings. We did not pull
a vacuum on the system, kinda hoping the new dryer would take care of that.
Pulling the air out is a good idea, so the refrigerant is not diluted.
Hooked the 134 can up to a cheapy installation rig and put 12V to the
compressor clutch to make it suck the 134 in. We did this yesterday and it
is blowing cold.
I did another car this way over a year ago and it is still blowing cold.
The counter guy at the FLAPS said he converted his wife's minivan to 134 3
years ago, and it works great to this day. He said he just purged the R12,
added the new oil on top of the old, and recharged.
For the DIY person, this is really not that difficult. I would suggest
someone with a little more money bring the car to a shop to at least get the
system pulled down and leak checked.
Follow this advice at your own discretion. Anyone without a good working
knowledge of the dangers involved with AC repair should not attempt these
procedures.
-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Younger <f1y@CSM1.DOIT.WISC.EDU>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, June 02, 1998 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: AC
>> From: dan moy/SUBURBAN <avt@HOME.COM>
>> Subject: AC
>
>> Well it is time to get my AC recharged, it is still blowing cool air but
>> it is not cool enough. I called the dealer today and I had a few
>> questions.
>>
>> 1. My 91 uses R12 do I have to replace it with R12
>> 2. If the above is true how much should the system need and approximate
>> cost
>
>I had mine recharged last summer. It cost about $300 at the VW dealer.
>He said that the kit for changing to a different refrigerant wasn't out
>yet. Judging by other posts on the list the kit should be available now
>and it is probably cheaper than a recharge with R12.
>
>Fred Younger
>91 GL
| 
