> Could folks give me reference prices for a conversion
> done by a reputable shop to a Westfalia with a running
> (though leaking) stock A/C system?

Tom:

I had my AC fixed a year ago.  It had never been cold
since I bought the Syncro Westy in '01.  I had not made
any attempt to fix it before.

The shop said they would charge a small amount of R12
in the system, then run and test it to find leaks,
other problems, etc.  That would be $60-80, I don't
remember which.  Then they would propose the conversion
cost.

I told them to go ahead and came back to pay $180 for
a working AC.  They said there were no leaks or problems,
so they converted, evacuated, etc, and put in R134a.
They said they had stopped changing O rings, hoses, etc,
as they found it not necessary as much as was initially
thought.  It is still cold this summer.

This is probably the best case scenario.  Now you'll hear
from all those who have paid many hundreds and don't have
cold AC....  ;-)

The shop was Plant's Automotive in Boulder.  They are NOT
a VW shop, but Verner sends AC to them since he doesn't
do AC.  The only thing I did was open up the AC stuff in
the closet so they wouldn't have to take the shelves, etc.
out.

                        Richard A Jones
                        Boulder, Colorado