Date:         Mon, 10 Aug 1998 18:31:42 -0500
Reply-To:     ray.wei@US.PWCGLOBAL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Yi-Ruey Wei <ray.wei@US.PWCGLOBAL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Warning about A/C Hoses wearing out
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I was wondering why the low pressure hose would bust first?  Now we know
why.
I noticed the similar problem before.  The metal would rub the A/C houses
around the engine compartment.  I replaced a newer angled metal house just
out from compressor like the Bantley suggested.  But now I can't open the
cap for coolant expansion tank unless I unscrew the tank first.
Also, my friendly VW dealer "gave" me a pair of metal bracket kit to fix
the crack at both end (with 3 bolts) of the " big and heavy" evaporator
plastic housing.  While I took the housing down, I cleaned evaporator, the
black sponge debris and double check the hoses to make sure there is no
rubbing against anything in the D pillar.

Yi-Ruey Wei
87 Vanagon GL Syncro  w/leaking cylinder head
85 Jetta GLI  w/165,000 miles
Dallas, TX  (Back to 100 degrees)


"Cort, Joel" <Joel.Cort@USA.XEROX.COM> on 08/10/98 01:17:09 PM

Please respond to "Cort, Joel" <Joel.Cort@USA.XEROX.COM>
To:   Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
cc:
Subject:  Warning about A/C Hoses wearing

...
Most of all and this is to help fellow listees with potential A/C issues,
      I
discovered why the low pressure hose blew up!  The hose was resting and
rubbing in the engine compartment on the lower left side, before the hose
curves up to the cabinets.  The wear had rubbed through the thicker
insulation layer and through the hose.  Kind of like a worn out tire on a
bald spot.
...
Joel
89 Westy Syncro - hot hot




"Cort, Joel" <Joel.Cort@USA.XEROX.COM> on 08/10/98 01:17:09 PM

Please respond to "Cort, Joel" <Joel.Cort@USA.XEROX.COM>
To:   Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
cc:
Subject:  Warning about A/C Hoses wearing out




Fellow listees with A/C - others can only sweat.

I spent most of Sunday afternoon tearing apart the Westy cabinets and
molding to remove the low pressure hose for the A/C. The hose comes from
the
evaporator in the ceiling to the compressor in the engine compartment.  The
low pressure is the fat one - about 7/8 inch diameter.   I discovered lots
of innovative VW engineering ;-) and the famed 50 amp fuse behind the rear
cabinet.

Most of all and this is to help fellow listees with potential A/C issues,
I
discovered why the low pressure hose blew up!  The hose was resting and
rubbing in the engine compartment on the lower left side, before the hose
curves up to the cabinets.  The wear had rubbed through the thicker
insulation layer and through the hose.  Kind of like a worn out tire on a
bald spot.

Lesson Learned:
Next time you poke around in the engine, check to see if the A/C hose(s)
have enough clearance and aren't rubbing and wearing out  against the
engine
compartment before they angle up into the interior.

BTW VWoA want $346.50 for this hose and my local A/C shop says he can make
it for about $50 - which should I choose?


Hope this help alleviate future torture $$ and sweat.


Joel
89 Westy Syncro - hot hot



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