I had a '86 syncro here one time with a fried A/C compressor.  The guy
had all of the paperwork for it since it was new (very detailed) and I
had a few minutes so I looked back through the records.  Almost from day
one the van had A/C problems.  Every year it needed a recharge and it
had already had the compressor replaced once (the fried one was only a
couple of years old).
My 90 Carat needs a charge at the beginning of every summer and then
again right before the end (usually still pretty hot in September
here).  I use Freeze-12 instead of R12 since it works well and is
cheaper.  However you will still need a refrigerant license to buy it.
Right now it is cheaper than R134a too.  Not flammable either.  Just FYI.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

honemastert wrote:

>Curious as to what others in hot climates have done,
>and or 'are' doing.
>
>Tried to make sure that all through the winter months,
>I fired up the A/C from time to time.  Keep the system
>lubricated, keep that precious and 'expensive' R12 in
>the system.   My plans seemed to be working, until
>we hit record highs last week in the 'Valley of the Sun'
>(should be fire BTW.. but I digress! :-)
>
>Anyways, now I have an A/C system that seems
>to be cycling on properly, but no cool air (or at least
>very little) to speak of.
>
>Need to get the system checked out for leaks, etc,
>but wondered what the consensus was for a 'Westy'
>
>Even on R12, this system is nothing to write home
>about,  I'm thinking of just checking, make sure I have
>no 'massive' leaks, then go and get my EPA license
>so I can buy cans of R12 off of ebay.
>
>Some folks I've talked to say that even with an 'all
>new' system (compressor, hoses, dryer, cleaned out
>condenser etc) that the most you can expect is 2-4yrs
>between recharges?
>
>Ideas, suggestions welcom
>
>TIA
>
> -tim
>
>90 syncro westy
>mesa, az
>
>
>