Ken,

Actually, the frequent loss of R134a into the atmosphere is a big deal,
environmentally speaking. And actually a very BIG deal. Turns out that
just like Freon R12, R134a has it's own  issues, and it would not
surprise me to see changes coming that take the stuff off the market.
Dunno what would take it's place, but the engineering/scientific types
will come up with something. The public is not going to be without it's
AC. This very thing - issues with 134a - is at least in part why Freeze
12 got the OK to replace R134a.
Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Ken Wilford wrote:
> Yes, John makes a great point and I think this is the reason why I have
> looked through so many Vanagon service histories and saw an A/C charge
> every summer since they were brand new.  A normal vehicle has the A/C
> compressor come on when you turn on your defrost.  That way even in the
> winter the compressor is being cycled on and the system stays happy.  In
> the Vanagon not only is this not a feature but on the newer ones if it
> below a certain temperature you couldn't get the compressor to come on
> without hotwiring it.   So the systems sit all winter until we turn them
> on in the spring and by that time the seals have contracted and released
> most of the refrigerant.  I have just resigned myself to charging it
> each spring and as long as R134a stays relatively cheap this isn't a big
> deal.
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
>
> John Rodgers wrote:
>> One thing not mentioned in all the related posts is that you need to run
>> the AC for a few minutes once a week year round to keep all the seals
>> wet. They tend to dry over time and shrink, and then they leak
>> refrigerant.
>>
>> John Rodgers
>> 88 GL Driver
>>
>> Jim Felder wrote:
>>> Does anyone know of a complete set of instructions for converting to
>>> 134
>>> from R12? I'm talking complete, like where to get any parts needed
>>> for the
>>> compressor and how to get the compressor open to fit them, how to get
>>> the
>>> oil out, put new oil in, and that sort of thing. I inherited a nice
>>> set of
>>> manifold gauges but have never used them. I also have access to a
>>> vacuum
>>> pump if that is required.
>>> Jim
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>