I have a 84 with a = bad compressor also. However I live in Ohio and it does not get as hot here. = What I have decided to do is get the same brand of compressor off a newer jetta = or golf (85-92) and reuse the very end part where the hoses attatch because they = are different sizes and convert it to r134. (I don't want to replace all the = hoses) I've already converted it and it works but the compressor is noisey. If = I were you and were unable to do it myself, I would find a AC shop and have = then do the job using the newer compressor with all new hoses and a new dryer. The = newer hoses have a liner inside that keeps the r134 in better. At that point I = think it would be as good as your 79 Scirocco but I have no experience as I = got mine last fall. I do know it will cool the air 30 degrees f at the ceiling = unit even with a bad compressor using r134. The newer units have a switch in the = line that won't let the compressor run with low freon pressure and that may be why = our compressors failed. Using the pipes off the newer compressor would be a = good idea except they are too long and are curved. A AC shop that I'm sure = you have in Texas would be a better place to take it then a general mechanic shop = as they have the knowledge and equiptment to do the plumbing = correctly.

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2001 = 10:39 AM

Subject: Texas A/C = Questions

Alright...here goes. I have a = 1984 Vanagon. It has the a/c unit that is mounted just behind the = driver and front seat passenger, and passes overhead. It currently does not = work because the compressor is bad. I got an estimate from my local = VW mechanic to fix it, and it was by no means cheap. But I was = about to have him do it anyway, when he then added that if it were his bus, he = wouldn't bother. He went on to elaborate that in his opinion I probably = wouldn't be happy with the results of the system when it was operational. = He didn't think it would cool adequately, but what almost concerned me = even more is when he said that in a few years, I would probably just have to = replace the compressor again. Since the repair was so expensive, this was = not an attractive proposition. So I passed on it. This mechanic = is an excellent one, and I normally trust his opinion explicitly, but I'd = like to get some list-member feedback from people operating this a/c = configuration in hot areas (preferably hot, humid areas, as I'm in North Texas). = It would be really nice to get some cooling in this vehicle for those hot = summer days other than that provided by simply opening my windows.

1) Does the system do a decent = job of cooling down the van. I know not to expect it to freeze me out = like the a/c in my wife's 98 Cabrio. But would it at least function as = well as, say, the 1979 Scirocco I used to own? That is certainly adequate = for me.

2) Have you had to replace the = compressor or other expensive components of this system on a regular or frequent basis?

Thanks in advance. I really = need some advice on this topic.