[Vwdiesel] Air Conditioner failed

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

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1. 1. Can I find the parts cheaper than $530/condensor &$170.00
   dryer?


  If you can't then I'll gladly sell you new stuff for those prices!  :)  Did
the
condensor get nailed or is that just what the dealer "claims" is bad?  I
had my evaproator fail and ended up doing it myself since the shop I
took it to (to check them out) couldn't find the leak even after I told them
I suspected the evaporator if anything!  I think it was around $150 a
couple years ago for a new evaporator and drier.

>  2. 2. Is it difficult to do???

  Not really, just disconnect and connect as far as the parts go.  If there's

R-12 in the system then it's nice to be able to scavange it off.  :)
Otherwise
you need a vacuum pump as mentioned, to pull out any air or moisture and
check for leakage.  I never could afford one so I got an old refrigerator
compressor, silver-soldered the lines shut and put repair schrader valves
on the lines.  I can now evacuate or scavange.  :)  Works great but you
need a set of gauges and ideally an extra hose for scavanging.

>  3. 3. Any known hazards by doing it myself?
>
 No open flame around the freon, don't cut yourself on any sharp fins,
use NEW, proper O-rings on any union you break open!  Wipe a dab
of refirgeration oil on them before assembling.  You should be able to
shake enough out of the old drier or condensor.  :)
  Even if you can't evacuate the system you should be able to get it
evacuated and recharged for ~$150 or maybe less (R-12).  R-134
would be cheaper by quite a bit.
     Loren