In addition to the AC design being a bit challenged you have to deal with the fact that this is a 21 year old system. You need to find someone that really knows what they're doing for a good evaluation and it may take some money. Even converted to R-134a the system should work well if done properly. The expansion valve should be replaced with calibrated for the R-134a.  Hose replacements and servicing the evaporator are extremely labor intensive jobs so most shops avoid this and the fill and hope it lasts for some time. Electrics are not properly diagnosed and you don’t get the benefit of the three radiator fan speeds. Things of that nature. The evaporator gets dirty and clogged and you can’t get the cold air it should deliver. If you do go for major repairs ask for some warranty on the work. If paying a premium ask for the AC tech certifications. I hate to see folks spend thousands and still not have AC. The 87 and later systems should work. The earlier ones were too small. For your extreme temps an additional condenser can also be added to improve performance. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of PB
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2015 8:44 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RELIABLE Air Conditioning!

Is there anyone who has good, cold, reliable air conditioning that has worked for years?  If so, how did you achieve that?

I supposedly have air conditioning in my 90 Westy automatic, but it isn't very cold.  It was converted to R143A by the previous owner.  I haven't done anything to it at all because I don't know if it needs to be recharged, repaired, or replaced.

What can I do to ensure that I have cold AC that works whenever I need it?
 (I've heard discouraging AC information - so if there's anything encouraging, I'd like to know about it.)

Patti
90 Westy Automatic
Los Angeles (Temp goes up to 115 degrees in the summer!)

-- 

*♪♫**♥**♫♪♪♫**♥**♫♪♪♫**♥**♫♪♪♫**♥**♫♪*
If it's not on my Smart Phone, it doesn't exist...
●▬▬▬▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬♥▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬▬▬▬●