What did it cost you? How many hours of labour? DId they
break down the cost of the conversion vs the leak test? This
may be a silly question but I don't know a lot about Carats,
so here goes...is it a westy?

Thanks,
Chris

---- Original message ----
>Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 08:12:44 -0700
>From: <rcampbell-vanagon6706@mailblocks.com>
>Subject: Re: R12 to R134a Air Conditioning Conversion
>To: pokey@VANAGON.ORG, vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>   Chris,
>
>   My '91 Carat has been converted to R134a.  However,
>   this was in conjunction with a leak diagnosis.  What
>   happened to me was this:  my R12 system leaked out
>   in a matter of weeks.  Living in FL, driving with
>   A/C is definitely preferred.  So, off to the
>   mechanic I went...  System charged and holding, very
>   odd.  But, start the engine, engage compressor and
>   viola! leak found!  The compressor was at fault.
>
>   So, new compressor and all is well.  All that was
>   changed, in addition to the compressor, was the
>   receiver/dryer (Bus Depot).  Other than that, the
>   system was flushed, and a good vacuum was pulled on
>   the entire system.  My van spent the week in the
>   shop to make sure that the fault was found.  Thus
>   far, running R134a it is GREAT!  I was considering
>   the front A/C, but this thing is so cold (to date)
>   that I don't need it.  And, remember I'm in FL, it
>   was already 81F this morning around 7:30 -- so I use
>   the A/C daily now!  In direct sunlight (I don't have
>   tinted windows yet either!) my system still manages
>   to keep things cool.
>
>   Now, as for o-rings and such, I don't know for sure
>   if my mechanic changed them.  But, since the entire
>   system was disconnected and checked (during
>   diagnosis of the leak), I'm thinking that any such
>   consummable items would be replaced.....  still, not
>   really sure.
>
>   Good luck!
>
>       -Robert
>        '91 Carat, 149K miles, original engine
>
>   -----Original Message-----
>   From: 80 Westy Pokey <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
>   To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>   Sent: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 10:56:51 -0400
>   Subject: R12 to R134a Air Conditioning Conversion
>
> Anyone done one of these? What does it entail?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris