It's got to go back to the simple idea that cars are supposed to be good enough to get through the warranty period. 
You're just lucky if they last much longer.

Stan Wilder

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Doug in Calif 
  To: Stan Wilder 
  Cc: vanagon.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 9:00 PM
  Subject: Re: Re: R12 to R134a Air Conditioning Conversion

  Which amounts to more load on the engine for given amount of cooling.
  The condensers are also redesigned.

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Stan Wilder 
    To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
    Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 6:56 PM
    Subject: Re: R12 to R134a Air Conditioning Conversion

    You may also notice that they simply spin the compressor faster when they
    use 134r.

    Stan Wilder

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "David Brodbeck" <gull@GULL.US>
    To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
    Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 7:16 PM
    Subject: Re: R12 to R134a Air Conditioning Conversion

    > On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 15:58:03 -0500, Stan Wilder wrote
    > > I never said r134a was as good as R12.
    > > I just contend that if you use the 134a you might overcome the lesser
    > > cooling capabilities by adding another condenser to the system.
    > > It worked for me.
    >
    > This was Volvo's approach.  Their official R134a conversion kit for the
    240
    > included a bigger condensor.  240 model years that came from the factory
    with
    > R134a had the bigger condensor *and* an electric pusher fan to supplement
    the
    > engine-driven fan.
    >
    > My 240 was converted without changing the condensor and it doesn't cool
    well
    > at all.  I have it on good authority that a properly converted 240 will
    > "freeze your nipples off."
    >
    >
    > David Brodbeck, N8SRE
    > '86 Volvo 240DL wagon
    > '82 VW Vanagon Westfalia Diesel (ebay #2481476461)