If the system is OK then the shop should be able to fill it with R-12 without
a problem.  The dealer is just covering their behinds because I have read
that it is illegal to put R-12 back into a leaking system (all A/C systems
leak so this law is kinda goofy in my opinion).  If you can find a local shop
that uses Freeze-12 in place of R-12 you will save yourself a bundle (local
shop here in NJ and myself both just recharge low R-12 systems with Freeze-12
and it works well).

On another note, I can see why air conditioning can be a frustrating thing
for Vanagon owners.  I have been in the habit of getting the service history
for vans that I am working on from the dealer.  Lately I have been noticing a
trend with the later model Vanagon A/C systems ('86 and newer).  I had a '86
Syncro Westie here that needed a refrigerant recharge at 850 miles and a new
charge every summer after that!  It also got new A/C compressor and one new
hose in 1993.  When the van arrived here last month the A/C compressor was
locked up and the system was empty.
An '87 Wolfsburg Vanagon's service history showed a similar story of needing
an A/C recharge every year since it was new up to when I got it (one of the
A/C hoses had blown).
    I think my Carat is experiencing a slightly low A/C charge condition.  It
is still getting very cool to cold, but it seems to take longer to get to
this point than it did last summer.  I don't know if these system are leaking
around the seals in the compressor or what (my system has all new o-rings,
new dryer, etc as of last summer.  Anyone else having similar experiences?
Anyone have this chronic problem and then found the source of the problem?

Thanks,
Ken Wilford
http://www.vanagain.com
John 3:16

New Phone (856)-327-4936
Shop: (856)-765-1583
Fax:     (856)-327-2242