My air conditioner is starting to blow cool air and not cold. I was told by
my VW dealer that vanagons need service every year due to the long hoses
etc. even if it does not seem to leak.

This does not seem correct to me but that is their experience. Does anyone
have their AC system last longer than a year? At $180 to service it I'd like
to fix any leaks to minimize a yearly drop of almost $200.

Any advice? It is 80 degrees in California today with our dry Santa Ana
winds and also summer is coming.

Has anyone solved this AC issue more permanently than replacing freone every
year?

William Polowniak
1989 Vanagon GL
1988 Mercedes 300 SE