Harris Radiator?  In Encinitas?  Are they still around?  Damn, I'm having a
flashback...

I remember when I was a teenager in the 70's, working at my dad's shop in
Encinitas as gopher.  I made trips to Harris Radiator at least two or three
times a week.  Hmmm, I wonder if Harris still owns it.  He probably does
since that ground was already contaminated in the 70's it would be nearly
impossible to sell.

The 70's... damn, now I'm feeling old...

Cheers,

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Michael Diehr
Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2006 9:14 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: My R134a experience

My 85 westy has a slow leak (as many do) and so about 3 years after
my last R12 chargeup, I decided to go for a R134a conversion.   The
shop (Harris Radiator near San Diego) did a great job, and even
offered me a guarantee, offering to change back to R12 if I wasn't
happy with it.

Performance-wise, it's decent and I think livable.  Not ice-cold, but
quite cool, and I like the idea of not leaking freon, so I think I'll
stick with it.

The only problem that I've noticed is that when running the AC at
high engine rpm (3000 ish) the compressor is making a "hum" sound.
Loud enough to be heard over engine & road noise on the freeway.   I
can't remember if it made that sound while running on R12, since it's
been a while, but I don't think so.

Is it possible that R134 is putting more stress on my compressor and
hence the noise?  If so, is this the sound of progress or incipient
failure?