John... It's not my tech who doesn't understand, it's me.  I'm trying to
learn and troubleshoot along with him.  He understands the principles of ac
and does ac all the time, but is having trouble understanding this
particular system... or better yet, whatever the problem this system is
having.  I understand what you are saying, but we (the techie and I) can't
seem to pinpoint what's happening.

Problem is, how to determine that.  At present, with six pounds of
refrigerant in the system, the high side is 160, the low 80.  System is
cooling nicely, but is not kicking ass.  Hasn't been too hot, so I haven't
had a real acid test yet.  My hunch is that it will be somewhat less than
optimal.  Tech is well aware that 160 is on the bottom of OK for the high
side and feels the low should be about 40 or less... he seems to know what
he's doing, but you're right... he's obviously no crackerjack.

Anyway, my tech says run it for a few days and come back and he'll take the
readings again.  Everything is new except the evaporator.  New compressor,
new receiver/drier/new expansion valve.

What should I suggest he do to troubleshoot from here?  Believe me, I'd love
to bring you out here to fix it... the place I took it was the fourth shop I
went to... no one else would even work on a vw ac unit here!  See what I'm
up against?

Mick Kalber
Tropical Visions Video, Inc.
62 Halaulani Place    Hilo, Hawaii  96720
ph. 808-935-5557    fax 808-935-0066
hotlava@interpac.net
www.volcanoscapes.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of John
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2000 8:44 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 89 syncro westy ac question

Mick Kalber wrote:
>
> So, Mark Dorm got me thinking yesterday... perhaps the freon that was in
the
> system when I took it in for repair (there was about 2 12 pounds) was bad.
> It was God knows how old.  Can freon go bad over time,

>   Whadayathinkabouthat?
>
> Mick Kalber

Mick,

R12 does not "go bad" like beer going flat or clothing going out of
style! It seems your tech does not understand how the principles of
evaporation & condensation "move heat". The compressor should exert
pressure on the high side (condensate zone)while drawing on the low side
(evaporative zone). During the "change of state" the evaporating
refrigerant absorbs massive amounts of heat.

The compressor provides the labor for the high side pressure and low
side pressure drop with the expansion valve acting as a referee to
manage the "change of state"! The closer the high and low side pressures
are to each other, the LESS efficient the process is. Typically a normal
High side is 185-205 psi and the low side is 15-30 psi. Either your NEW
compressor isn't working (NO LABOR), the NEW expansion valve isn't
working (NO REFEREE) or you have a foreign agent like dirt, moisture or
PAG oil in your R12 system negating the necessary valving action. Your
high & low side pressures are too close and the system is grossly
overcharged to overcome the non-functional part or the effect of the
foreign agent. I think you need a new technician........if you'll pay my
expenses, I'll come out and fix the system to function correctly!

Regards,     John