AC Removal Questions

[markf1]

GF wanted the factory AC removed. Never used the AC .Desired to use the cabinet where the evaporator lived.

I reconditioned cabinet interior and made a door (waiting to get hinges).

I removed the evaporator, the wire bundle with various connectors and the hoses from the interior.

I pulled the wiring bundle back to near the receiver (by front left wheel) and zip tied it to the frame I removed the hose from the compressor to the receiver.

i don't have the big metric allen head to remove the compressor and I have left the hose from the compressor to the condenser in place.

We have a mechanic who can remove the condenser for us (beyond my desire/capability to do). I was going to have him also remove the receiver and it's hose to the condenser. Also have him terminate all the wiring in the best/ most reasonable way.

The mechanic may not be able to get to this before we go on a trip with the van. My questions:

Does the bracket that supports the compressor serve any other purpose or can it be removed as well?

Should I better terminate all those wire connectors before driving around for @600 miles or more? How would that best be done?

Any reason not to drive it as I have it with the partially disconnected hose from the receiver?

Any advice, suggestions etc much appreciated.

_________________
1986 Westfalia Syncro
2.1 L Waterboxer
Some Westy supported adventure photos:
https://www.openrangeimaging.com/adventure.html

[kamzcab86]

My dad pulled the hoses from his van's compressor (and capped them off) and removed the compressor. We just finished a 2300-mile road trip without issue.

The compressor bracket can be removed (which Dad was going to do), but it requires removing one intake runner to get adequate access to a bracket mounting bolt.
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子

[djkeev]

Keep the parts of the A/C compressor bracket all together, many people are trying to sell the aluminum part without the steel adjuster portion. They also try to sell the steel adjuster portion without the proprietary adjuster mechanism.

If you plan to sell it the dash switches especially the right snowflake switch are hard to locate.
Include them and all the wiring in the left rear D pillar. But 86? I'm guessing your D pillar is empty. The controls are under the dash, a black box wedged up there somewhere and the related wires.
Your A/C controls are to the left of the steering wheel?

Honestly, in my way of thinking, the condensor, the rec/drier, the compressor and all of the hoses are trash.
Not worth shipping.

The evaporator assembly with the fans and drain pan along with the electric controls are what people need.
Everything else should be replaced with new items.

There is a thread on rebuilding the 86 and earlier system, I'll locate the link and put it in here.

The 86 without the D pillar controls is a one off, not supported in the Bentley.
It is a hybrid between the 85 system and the 87 system using parts from both.

It has no safety switches and when installed or rebuilt should have the safety controls installed.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=583818

Dave
_________________
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

[markf1]

Dave, that's good info! You are correct, the hoses and wiring did not go thru the D pillar. They went thru a plastic shroud/chase inside the wardrobe cabinet. The controls are to the left of the steering wheel.

So, It sounds like it would be best to keep the wiring intact and get it removed all the way to, and including the controls, the dash? (versus cutting the connectors off, taping off the wires and securing it all under the van somehow?
_________________
1986 Westfalia Syncro
2.1 L Waterboxer
Some Westy supported adventure photos:
https://www.openrangeimaging.com/adventure.html

[djkeev]

If you hope to sell the unit, getting the wiring and switches is a must.
Many of those items are very hard to source today. New or used.

I made a wiring diagram for the hybrid 86 for nothing existed anywhere that I could find.

Dave
_________________
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

[Abscate]

[markf1]

super helpful Dave. We have learned not to throw out any parts until finding if anyone needs or wants them. Not so much motivated by making money from it but would be keen to get a fair value if it is worth something. Would rather get this to someone who might make use of it versus sending it to the dump.

Not sure how hard it's gonna be to get the wiring and controls out of the dash. Hopefully doesn't require dash removal..that might be a deal breaker/not worth the effort.
_________________
1986 Westfalia Syncro
2.1 L Waterboxer
Some Westy supported adventure photos:
https://www.openrangeimaging.com/adventure.html

[djkeev]

Wires can be spliced.

The switches and the control box are mighty important to make the system work.

Keep in mind this is an add on unit.
The entire system is stand alone and not integrated into the main wiring harness in any way.

It is installed post factory vehicle assembly in most instances.

Back in the 70’s and 80’s it was a common shop time filler at German brand dealerships to install A/C into new cars on the lot, few came with A/C preinstalled.

Mercedes had an entire shop at the docks in NJ.
They repaired shipping damages (which were at times extreme!) and installed A/C before sending vehicles to dealerships.

Dave
_________________
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

[markf1]

continued thanks for the very helpful insights Dave.

I'm thinking, because it's a stand alone/add on unit, that may make it easier for someone to add into their van.
_________________
1986 Westfalia Syncro
2.1 L Waterboxer
Some Westy supported adventure photos:
https://www.openrangeimaging.com/adventure.html

[Zeitgeist 13]

Somewhere a cute little puppy experiences extreme trauma every time someone removes A/C from a van.

[ALIKA T3]

[Zeitgeist 13]

Dear gawd, is she ok? Such a cutie.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[ALIKA T3]

[Love My Westy]

[Zeitgeist 13]

[campism]

[vanis13]

[djkeev]

[Love My Westy]

Maybe the gf is looking for an excuse to not take the Vanagon when it's hot.
The old "It doesn't have Air Conditioning" whine.

[djkeev]