At 04:48 PM 8/5/01 -0700, phil stanhope wrote:
>George wrote:
>"In our experience, there's no way that the AC
>can be made reliable, (4 separate failures, three
>expensive) we no longer attempt cross-country trips in
>summertime.
>
>
>Thanks for the encouragement, Im just about to try and
>rebuild an 84' AC unit. Ive never had a vanagon with
>AC and after hearing this im having second thoughts.
It CAN be done.  It will cost lots of money.  Heck, there are relatively
few components when you think about it.  Just plan on replacing them
ALL.  It will then work.  Plan on replacing your receiver/drier and
recharging the system every 3 years at least.  There is plenty linear feet
of a/c lines on a vantagun, and plenty of room for leaks, entry of
moisture, and problems to occur.
If you get your whole system cleaned out nice and good, then you won't have
any problems and it WILL work reliably.  But, if you just replace a part
here and there, without a thorough cleaning and evacuation, then it is
bound to have problems.  The old will infect the new.
Just my .02
Now go for it post haste and report back next week when the project is done!
horace

"He coulda made one helluva an A/C tech, but the poor misguided lad found
another way for people to cool their heels."
-- author unknown