To replace the XP valve, you don't absolutely need to drop the
evaporator/cabinet.  I (and mechanic with smaller hands) just did that.

Karl Wolz

|-----Original Message-----
|From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]
|On Behalf Of Jamie Fitterer
|Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2012 7:46 AM
|To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
|Subject: Re: Vanagon a/c
|
|So with this cabinet thing.  THe upper COndenser isnt mounted
|to anything?  the cabinet just holds it there?  I need to
|replace my expansion valve as it appears to be plugged.
| > Date: Mon, 23 May 2011 21:17:24 -0400
|> From: dvdclarksn@AOL.COM
|> Subject: Re: Vanagon a/c
|> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
|>
|>  It's not so much the parts but the labor that you can get
|into if the
|> cabinet has to be dropped to get to the expansion valve. If
|you do the
|> job yourself I would suggest constructing some sort of table
|that can
|> support the cabinet while you reconnect the wiring hoses and other
|> fittings. Be careful of the fittings on the drain tray that will be
|> very brittle and will break easily. My system was working great and
|> then one day near the end of the season last year I heard a pop from
|> up there in that cabinet and everything got warm. I'm dreading going
|> through that ordeal again.:(
|>
|> David Clarkson
|> 90 Westy
|>
|>
|>
|>
|>
|> -----Original Message-----
|> From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
|> To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
|> Sent: Mon, May 23, 2011 4:31 pm
|> Subject: Re: Vanagon a/c
|>
|>
|>
|>
|>   I have the same problem. Got to get the AC repaired. One thing I
|> learned the hard way - if y ou do not have freon and don't
|run the AC
|> once a week - the seals dry up and the freon leaks out. So you are
|> likely up for replacement of all the seals, including a likely
|> replacement of the Compressor. In an upgrade to 134a, you can get a
|> complete seal kit from Van-cafe for about $50 or from the other List
|> Vendors for similar money. You will also need a new receiver
|dryer and
|> possible a new expansion valve. Because the old AC compressors were
|> designed to run at the lower Freon 12 pressures, the higher
|pressures
|> of the 134a may poop out your AC compressor fairly quickly.
|You really
|> should get a new compressor appropriate to the 134a.
|>
|> 134a Upgrade Kit - $50
|> Expansion valve - $30
|> Receiver-Dryer - $30-$35
|> Compressor - $350- $400.
|> 134a - $35 or so.
|>
|> Not bad on parts. But then there is the labor. I've not a
|clue on that
|> myself. I'm going to try and do it myself.
|>
|> Good luck.
|>
|> John
|>
|> John Rodgers
|> Clayartist and Moldmaker
|> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
|> Chelsea, AL
|> Http://www.moldhaus.com
|>
|>
|> On 5/23/2011 2:41 PM, David M 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)
|> >
|> >
|>
|>
|>
|                                          =
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