While I have only done a quickie Autozone R134a conversion on my '87 Westy, it seems to work but needs to be recharged annually.� I need to do an in-depth O-ring remove and replace and clean the entire system.� You have further issues that will need to be addressed.

There are several excellent threads on thesamba.com that deal with both converting existing setups to the R stuff and to another refrigerant called Redtek.� Lots of tips and even some vehement disagreement on the best approach, as you might expect.

Great end-to-end rehab, a model for most of us to follow:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=365626&highlight=rehab

RedTeK: 
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=292488&highlight=redtek� 

Troubleshooting: 
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416707&highlight=redtek

Good luck!
Stephen

--- On Sat, 2/26/11, Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

From: Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: AC Hose repair
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Saturday, February 26, 2011, 9:22 AM

Hey guys,

When I bought my van last month, I knew that the AC condensor was missing
(story for another time, but had nothing to do with the AC system itself)
and was told that the AC compressor was good (an assumption that I'll
continue with for now)
 before the AC Condensor was removed. The two AC hoses
that run from the rear of the van to the front are just hanging in place and
open. Both ends are unservicable.

I figured I would acquire and install a new condensor, dryer and then have
an AC specialist charge the system with 134a.

So, before I go acquire the condensor and dryer, how necessary is it to
replace o-rings and seals? I would figure I need to do this just based on
the fact the system is open and that I don't know if it originally had R12
or 134a in it before. How big of a job is it to replace them? Anything else
I might need to do to 'clean' the system since it was open for about a year?

Since the fitted ends of the two long AC hoses are shot, is this somethign
that an automotive AC shop should be able to fix by cutting the hose short
and making a new end? Or, do I have to replace the two hoses in their
entirety from front to rear? Anyone
 know of a source for these? Didn't see
them on BD or VanAgain, Van Cafe, etc...

Gregg
90 Westy