Ideally, evacuate the system. Add lubricants. Then refill. Fittings have to be changed on conversions. It's a no brainer with the proper equipment. It just takes a long time to pump everything out.

BenT

sent from my electronic leash

On May 23, 2011, at 1:30 PM, "Michael R" <michael@jamhome.us> wrote:

> What's involved with doing a refill?  I may, eventually, need to do that here in Oregon. Right after I put the AC belt back on.  
> 
> 
> BenT Syncro wrote:
> > David,
> > 
> > Just to put prices in perspective, it costs me less than $100 to refill my AC
> > system in pricey California.
> > 
> > 
> > BenT
> > 
> > sent from my electronic leash
> > 
> > On May 23, 2011, at 12:41 PM, David M <covrambles@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> > 
> >> Well I have been given an ultimatum by the wife. Get the a/c fixed or get
> >> rid of the Vanagon. Its about to hit 100 degrees here in AZ so it would be
> >> nice to have working a/c again. The system was working fine around 10 years
> >> ago but lasted maybe one year after a $450 refill with freon at the VW
> >> dealer. It's still the freon (R12) system and I'm not prepared to pay the
> >> cost of regular R12 refills so it has to be a conversion to R134.
> >> How much should it cost to have this done? I was quoted a $1000 flat fee by
> >> one place but that seems expensive. Is a lot of labor involved? Can a
> >> regular a/c place handle this or is the Vanagon system too unusual?
> >>
> >> -David (1987 Wolfsburg)
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Michael Rasmussen
> http://www.jamhome.us/
> Be Appropriate && Follow Your Curiosity