I would have to concure with Stan. You probably have a leak
somewhere. We installed in our home this geothermal heating
source--over 900 linear feet of tubing buried under ground. Three
years and running. No recharges. The Vanagon system should be
similarly robust if assembled properly. They managed to do it in a
Chevy S-10 that I also own--6 years and going strong.

> I speak as someone who has only removed AC systems. I've never
found a
> system (out of 4) I removed that didn't have at least one
pinched O ring
> that was most likely leaking.
> > I've had to top off my A/C system every year I've owned my
Vanagon,
> > since it
> > was new.  In the early years, it wasn't much Freon to get a
clear
> > sight
> > glass and R12 used to be cheap.  Not anymore.  My system now
needs
> > both long
> > hoses replaced to hold any charge.  I understand there is a
better
> > replacement for R12 than R134.  Anyone have any luck with
> > refrigerant
> > conversions?