I did all this work myself on my 88.

Pulled vacuum on system.  replaced receiver dryer with correct amount of
r-134 oil.  drew vacuum for another hour..........added r-134 one can at a
time.  I bought a set of gauges to verify that high side pressure did not
exceed 200psi, when it did, i stopped.  It will freeze you out of the van in
100 degree outside heat............ I live in Charleston, SC on the coast
and it works great.

For $400 you could buy all the parts and tools i mentioned.

Adam P
81  Westy "The Brick "
70 Single Cab "Whitey"
74 Beetle "Ol Yeller"
73 Transporter (STILL at paint shop)
1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg
75 Campmobile "for sale'
Used Vanagon Parts for sale (mostly aircooled)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dawn Bustanoby" <dawnmb@OZ.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, July 27, 2002 4:08 PM
Subject: Air Conditioning

OK, sorry I wasn't paying attention to the earlier air conditioning
thread...

I have a '91 Westy.  The air conditioning works.  However, it only makes
moderately cool air, which gets less and less cool as the outside air temp
reaches 80 or above...once it's over 90 outside the air coming from the AC
seems only a few degrees cooler.

I called the local VW shop and was quoted $350-$400 to get it
recharged...youch!!!!  Given that I live in Seattle and this is the first
car with AC that I've ever owned, I'm inclined to just live with AC that
only helps when it's cooler than 70 degrees outside.  However, I am driving
to the Reno, Nevada area (AKA the desert) in late August to attend Burning
Man, and am thinking that functioning AC would be oh-so-nice...

So...my question....

If the AC were re-charged, how much would it really help?  Just how useful
is the Vanagon AC at keeping the car comfortable?  Is it worth it?  Any
advice would be appreciated  :-)

Dawn
Seattle, WA