I had my R12 AC recharged last week by a local shop.  Asked about converting
to R134 and he said they had done 240 conversions over the past years.
Unfortunately he said they'd re-converted fully 90 of them back to R-12
because of failure.  Some problem with the oil and even when they used the
very best, they still had problems with leaks etc.  They don't do them
anymore.  I know nothing more than this, maybe their quacks but they do have
a good reputation in town.  Hope it works for you, I'm interested in
everyone's successes after 6 months or a year.

Jim
91 Syncro AW

----- Original Message -----
From: Joshua Van Tol <jjvantol@USWEST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 21, 1999 6:38 PM
Subject: Re: R134 A/C conversion kits

> >I have had a number of inquiries recently regarding the available of R134
> >conversion kits for converting your Vanagon air conditioning system to
> >accept the new refrigerant.
> >
> >I do have conversion kits available for $29.95.  This includes o-rings,
oil,
> >and the other small items you need to convert your Vanagon to accept the
new
> >refrigerant.  You will also need a new receiver/dryer, which is $59.95.
My
> >air conditioning supplier tells me that the remaining parts in the
Vanagon
> >system should be able to accept the new refrigerant as-is, and I also
seem
> >to recall having read a VW service bulletin to the same effect.  You must
be
> >careful to completely bleed the system before putting in the R134.
>
> Actually, it's a bit more complicated than that! You need to remove most
of
> the mineral oil, replace it with ester oil from the kit, replace the
> o-rings, drier bottle, install the conversion fittings, evacuate the
system
> for 30 minutes, and charge.
>
> Joshua Van Tol -- jjvantol@uswest.net