That has not been my experience with Duracool, which is just as
effective (they claim more effective) as R-12.

On May 25, 2005, at 1:19 AM, Vanagon wrote:

> You will loose 20percent cooling efficiency with anything but R-12,
>
> All of the alternatives to R12 are 134 mixes.
> NONE are as good as putting in R12 in terms of cooling or reliability
> to the
> original system
>
> Much info on the net is available on this.
>
> STAY with R12 if you have an R12 system at all costs.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kim Brennan" <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 8:13 PM
> Subject: Re: all my R12 is gone..? (bummer)
>
>
>> A properly working AC system in a late model (86 and later) Vanagon
>> (or
>> Westy) will cool you quite sufficiently (I've traveled across the
>> country, California, Arizona, Texas, Florida. If your system was not
>> cooling sufficiently on R12 you need to find out why before you start
>> exploring alternatives. At this date, I'd suggest taking it to a
>> qualified service facility and 1) have them check it for leaks, if
>> they find them and 2) fix the links. If you live in a state where
>> shops
>> can use Duracool, I'd have the shop convert your system to Duracool.
>> If
>> you don't live in such a state, have them convert your system to R134,
>> then evacuuate the system, and get Duracool yourself and put it in.
>>
>> My Westy's AC can work so well that you'll need a sweater in the front
>> seats. I only have it functioning at full blast for a few minutes
>> after
>> getting into a  parked car, then I have to turn the fan down and lower
>> the thermostat. And I have a dark westy (Burgundy) with a dark roof.
>>
>>
>>
>> On May 24, 2005, at 6:53 PM, 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