OK... time to report on the final fix on my ac system.  Just over a month
ago I had to replace my compressor, receiver drier and expansion valve.
Unfortunately, local ac shop (not familiar with vw ac units) could not get
the unit to work after new parts were installed without adding six pounds of
R-12 (that's the only freon available here).  Several list people informed
me that six poounds is way too much and not the solution to the problem.

Anyway, it finally got fixed right.  Seems, according to my tech, that vw ac
units are charged a bit differently than other cars.  My guy said usually
the refrigerant is added to the high side and then run awhile and the high
and low sides adjust to the right levels... but in vw's something else has
to happen to the low side after the refrigerant is added to the high.  I
don't know what he was talking about, but perhaps John or David here can
elucidate us further.  Maybe this is just a shop out in the middle of the
Pacific Ocean that didn't know about the difference between VW ac and other
cars, but it might be nice if the list members know what needs to happen so
they can see if the shop they use knows what the h*ll they're doing.

Anyway, the ac is REALLY cold now... they measured it at 42 degrees which
sounded awfully low to me, but who's to complain?  Gets plenty hot here...
we can use it.

BTW, thanks to everybody who helped me out on this problem.  List is great!

Mick Kalber
89 Syncro Westy "Daddy-O"
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: John [mailto:johnpatt@warwick.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2000 9:22 PM
To: Mick Kalber
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: R12 Overharging is NOT a solution!

Hi Mick,

Something just occurred to me about your situation. If the evaporator
was restricted (not blocked or perforated)like a crimp in the evaporator
"tailpipe" or outlet, the following might occur:

1) The high side would NEVER be high because the compressor could not
get the necessary R12 vapor quantity due to the blockage.

2) The low side would NEVER be low because the vacuum of the compressor
could never act fully on the refrigerant vapor due to the blockage.

3) "Massive" amounts of refrigerant may be needed to counter the
evaporator blockage and get any cool down performance.

Think about this Mick and talk with your technician (if you haven't
choked him yet). I may have just thought myself out of a trip to
Hawaii....................

Regards,   John