I think it is time to get a new ac mech.

I paid $24.00 CDN for my receiver-dryer two years ago.

That biz about not being able to tell if the compressor is OK is, um, "unusual".

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy air, auto
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Vicki Derrer 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Friday, April 13, 2001 4:14 PM
  Subject: Should I Remove My AC Entirely?

  Hi Volks, 
      We have an 85 Westy with a rebuilt 2.1 L engine.  The AC broke right 
  after we bought it, nearly three years ago. The latest diagnosis is that we 
  definitly need a new receiver/dryer ($400) and only after that is installed 
  will they be able to tell if I also need a new compressor. 
      We are doing just fine without AC so far.  We sure would like to use 
  that overhead compartment for storage, and I bet removing the entire shebang 
  would make the van lighter, right? I am seriously considering asking our 
  mechanic to remove the entire thing.  Am I nuts?  We don't ever plan on 
  selling this camper. Has anyone done this?  Any things we need to consider 
  here? 
      We also would like to get rid of the entire rear heater so we could free 
  up some more space in the bench storage area.  It has already been 
  disconnected or bypassed due to coolant leak, and we don't miss it at all.   
  Can the whole thing be removed? 
      In case you're wondering where we live that is never too hot or too 
  cold, it's the Southeast, where we go to the mountains in the summer and the 
  beach during the other three seasons. 

  Thanks for your collective wisdom. 
  Vicki 

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