---- Hector <hlzapata@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Hi, I just had the hoses done myself. I suggest you replace them all, due to the age of the hoses. They're over 30 ft. long, and not that difficult to r/r. If you buy them through VW, one hose will be more expensive than having all of the hoses made. I'm trying to get 12a refrigerant for my van and Fox wagon, but the company hasn't answered my email about shipping to Puerto Rico. 134a >damages a/c compressors, I've had a few replaced by now, and it's an expensive deal.

Hector, my understanding is that it is not the R134a that damages the compressors.  Rather, it is the lubricating oil that is in the system.  When switching R12 to R134a, the entire system should be flushed, and new lubricating oil specific to R134a should be installed.  Of course, all the correct valves and so on should be changed as well.  But with proper oil for the refrigerant, you should be ok.  Lots of information is available from reliable sources about this by searching the internet.  There are lots of unreliable sources there, too, but EPA and other regulatory agents and auto manufacturers address it, and those sites are reliable.

Of course, others may (and some will) disagree.  You have my take on it FWIW, and there are other ideas, too, FWIW.

I went to one guy to inquire about changing over, and he just said, "Oh, there is nothing special you need to do, just remove the R12 and put in R134a.  I asked him if there were valves or other parts that needed to be changed, and the system flushed, and new oil.  He said, "no."  I went elsewhere.

mcneely