Eric,
It is my understanding that the compressor pumps fluid through a jet into the evaporator which is where as it changes state from a liquid to a gas and evaporates it gets cold in the evaporator. then the vapor is moved up to the condenser where it gives off heat as it condenses back to a liquid. it is gathered and routed back to the compressor to start the cycle all over again.
I know there is a dryer in there someplace and a few other parts but I believe that is the cooling process.

Doug

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Eric Zeno 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 6:07 PM
  Subject: Re: Bentley A/C diagram error

  As I recall the Bentley is incorrect.  You have to think in terms of
  the compressor. It pumps gas only, low to hi pressure, gets dumpped
  over the condenser, turns to   liquid, then is dumpped
  over the evaperator, changes back to gas, back to the compressor.

              Eric                   86-VW4x4
              vw4x4@fyi.net          86-SS Syncro
              Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
                                     92-Jetta GWC
              www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm

  On Fri, 30 Apr 2004, Philip Chidlaw wrote:

  > I am trying to familiarize myself with the details of the stock R-12 system in
  > my 87 westy in order to tackle a repair. Can someone confirm that in Bentley
  > on page 87.2 the high and low pressure hose labels are reversed? That would be
  > diagram 87-882. Thanks.
  >
  > Philip Chidlaw
  >