Check the list vendors before contributing to yer local mechanic's bass boat
fund. Fer instance:

http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=SD709

is just one example (the one for my van, btw- yours may be different),and
there are others of course. Many of them have list member discounts on most
items.

Good luck,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Bauer" <Tom.Bauer@SUN.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2005 9:19 AM
Subject: Re: R134 conversion

> Thanks Roger.  Good thoughts.
>
> A simple (and hopefully not too stupid) question on the new compressor
> vs reman. The repair shop (Imperial Radiator in LA) says that a new
> compressor from the dealer is $1500.00 (have not checked this though).
> Any recommendations on who sells new ones at something more reasonable?
> The reman ones are $500.00.
>
> Thanks again.
>
> -Tom (89 Westy)
>
> Roger Sisler wrote:
>
>>Hello, It is difficult to understand how you can get 4 bad compressors,but
>>I think I have an idea.First, have the shop people put a dye into the a/c
>>system? Dye will tell for sure where your leak is.It could be an 0-ring
>>that is loose somewhere. I think uyou have about 8 or 10 of them to check.
>>Assuming this has happened,  your comperssor(s) may have gone past
>>their "shelf life" , before being installed.A compressor has a shelf life
>>of about 18 months before it will need to be rerepaired. The shaft seal
>>will shrink up and leak after this time. This is why owners manuels say to
>>use yur a/c  a little each nomth in winter.It keeps the shaft seal
>>lubricated. What I would do if in your place,is to return the compressor
>>and buy a new,not rebuilt compressor from a high volume business. They
>>cannot keep compressors on the shelf long enough to begin leaking.Good
>>luck, Roger.
>>
>>