Duracool operates at lower head pressures than either R12 or R134, so
yes it is definitely better than R134.

On Jul 17, 2005, at 1:11 PM, Keith Ovregaard wrote:

> Hi fellow Vanagonites,
>
> I finally got around to joining the list and this is my first post.
> What a great resource for Vanagon-addicted volks like me!
>
> Speaking of the AC challenges of Vanagons, I recently switched from R12
> to 134A on my 84 Westy and put in a new compressor, AC drier, expansion
> valve and retrofit kit. What a waste of money! It works OK (not great)
> up to about 90 degrees and then the high-speed fan kicks in and shuts
> off the compressor until the temp goes down a bit. So the hotter it
> gets, the less AC cooling there is for the sweaty people inside. I can
> understand the logic of giving the engine cooling priority, but it is a
> drag that the system can't handle proper AC cooling at high temps.
> Every time I go up a hill the temp goes up a bit and the interior
> starts cooking. Also, the new (not rebuilt) compressor makes just as
> much noise as the old one! My 1990 Syncro also has a noisy (R12)
> compressor. Should have ripped the whole thing out and saved a lot of
> money. But now that I am into this so deep, I would like to make it
> work as best as possible. Does Duracool really help that much? Or is
> this as good as it gets?
>
> Keith O
> 84 Westy "Brownie"
> 90 Westy Syncro (no name for the pastel white box yet)