Air Cooled Vanagon with Factory Air Conditioner

[sirwestynyc]

Doing some work to make sure the engine compartment will be as air tight as possible, and realized the factory A/C may make this impossible. Note the hole around the compressor that goes straight to the road. The A/C unit isn't currently working (can't tell if it's a fuse, or the compressor yet). Main goal is making sure I can keep the engine in great condition. I'll also be putting in a new engine compartment seal this week.

Any thoughts? Advice? Insight?

[RCB]

Just an opinion from an air cooled owner, that's all. I'm sure others will respond too. I gut the entire air conditioning unit and purchased the engine tin that completely covers the gap.
A mechanic suggested this for a few reasons, one being that the small 2000 engine wasn't really up to the task and the other being I don't really need air conditioning in California.

Your location might warrant the unit though.

[sirwestynyc]

Thanks for the feedback, RCB. Shocked that VW would have made this an option back in the early 80s if they knew it would make a huge impact on engine temperature. Wondering if that space draws LESS hot air that other areas of the engine. Probably not...

[djkeev]

VW would NOT have offered that set up to a customer.

I'd bet money that it is an add on unit installed after the car was sold or dealer installed.

Dave
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[sirwestynyc]

Seems it was was from VW of North America, through a dealer in CA. Warranty Tag below.

[djkeev]

Well, color me surprised! I lost the bet.......How much do I owe you?
Though it is a North American VW modification selling the Americans the options they want.............Not from Germany.

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[onemat]

I took the add on unit out of my bus and need to take the compressor out of the engine department, and add the tin as described.
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'82 Vanagon GL with 2.0 4-speed. Long term plan is to turn it into a camper.

[RCB]

When I mentioned "gut" I literally meant it. I took it off and tossed it in a dumpster. I got the replacement tin from Avery's Air Cooled out of Washington.

A couple years later I noticed a few of the units coming up for sale. Looking back, I probably could have sold it. Oh well.... life continues.

[Howesight]

That's the York compressor - - heavy and bulky, but rugged. They seldom fail. Most likely, your AC system leaked the refrigerant out of the 37 year old hoses and low pressure is preventing it from working.

There are diehard AC Vanagon folks looking for parts for their air conditioning systems, so be careful not to damage the system if you remove it.

It is possible to fabricate a small piece of tin to minimize the air leak in that location and/or a piece of tin to encourage the hot air exiting the engine to vent past the air leak area.

Late '70's and early '80's Porsche 911 cars also used that York compressor, so there may be a market for yours if you remove it.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[bluebus86]

[16CVs]

If you want to keep the Aftermarket AC in your van, I agree that any open hole will suck hot air back through the fan. I would pull that cover up and get some Neoprene and cut it to fit the opening and then re attach that cover. Let the belt and pulley kind of wear it in. You will never completely close it in, but covering any openings along with a new engine seal and proper Spark plug boots will help you keep cool on those hot days.
I would also make sure that your thermostat is working properly to control your now cool air.
Your van probably ran just fine with the AC on when new in the hottest conditions, Because all of the seals were fresh and the timing was properly set.
Although not factory installed, VW had to figure their Warranty obligation and take some responsibility for allowing an aftermarket item to be marketed and sold through the VW network.


Stacy
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[TheMonk]

I want air conditioning for my 1982 too, at least you have the set up, I got nothing in my van. I had a look at the options, flick over to Bay Window Bus on this site, late bays have the same engine, as you probably know. There's a lot of info on aircon over there that's relevant to our aircooled Vanagons.

Apparently a Sandon compressor can be fitted without interfering with the original tin work, it is smaller, just as powerful as the York and draws less HP. Gilbert's AC, Ice AC, Vintage AC are a few of the mobs that specialise in VW aircon.

[rubbachicken]

i have a couple of customers vans who have had this AC install, neither have it in there now.
the first a 1 owner 81 westy, the AC unit had split the fan shroud, the guy couldn't remember how well the AC worked, he said it hadn't in MANY years.
the second, only had the pump left, which went the way of the dodo also
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[Aurilin]

I know this is a 10+ year old thread but I'm curious what you ended up doing with the hole in the tins and how hot your engine ended up running - or if anyone is in a similar situation today. I have an 81 vanagon that was setup the same and I'm thinking about converting to the sanden style compressor in hopes of robbing a little less horsepower from the already underpowered motor. I also got the 9590 camper special cam, solid lifters and hydraulic pushrods from the type4store. I'm hoping the little boost in power from Jake Raby's cam and a lower hp draw from the sanden unit won't stress the engine as much as the York compressor with stock engine. Then I just have to find a way to seal that hole up as good as possible. Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated! I'd like to have AC if possible it's pretty hot where I am, but I'd rather not ruin the motor just for some cool air.

[steve244]

They sell flat aluminum stock at home Depot. About $10 for a 2x3 piece. Easy to cut and form. Won't rust. Drill and screw in place.

Consider a mount and compressor from Gilmore Enterprises. Here's what it looks like on mine.

_________________
82 AC vanagon approx 200K miles (3K are mine).
DD is a 2015 Leaf
Road Trip to Hell (FL 2023)
The Vanagon's drivetrain and chassis restomod thread. Best sung to the tune of I Did It My Way...

[Aurilin]

Thanks Steve this is super helpful! Did you have to convert to r134a?

[steve244]

Mine is all R134a. All aftermarket.

I think all you need to do is change the expansion valve. There are different fittings to connect gauges which should be changed with the compressor.

I'd also change the condenser to a new design parallel flow. You'll need a new receiver-dryer too.

The mount Gilmore makes is for a 79 bay window. The fan housing is different. I purchased some spacers and bolts to accommodate the Vanagon fan housing.

I'm in Marietta. PM me if you want to see it in operation.
_________________
82 AC vanagon approx 200K miles (3K are mine).
DD is a 2015 Leaf
Road Trip to Hell (FL 2023)
The Vanagon's drivetrain and chassis restomod thread. Best sung to the tune of I Did It My Way...