OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

jocoman · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 7:34 am Post subject: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

Hi
A/C has been disabled in my 86 Westy for some time. I am replacing the radiator soon and since the A/C is in operative can I eliminate the condenser?Will this screw up air flow or proper cooling of the rad? Can i just simply unbolt it and put the rad back in?
Thanks
_________________
'86 Westfalia 2.0L Zetec
'97 Volvo 850 AWD Turbo
" The fun never stops"

markswagen · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 7:49 am Post subject: Re: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

No, it will have no detrimental effect on the cooling system.
It may drip fluid.

dhaavers · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 8:57 am Post subject: Re: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

I'll respectfully disagree. If you don't want the AC system, you can just pull everything out.
OTOH, it doesn't hurt anything to leave it in. Next owner might like the option...???

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 9:08 am Post subject: Re: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

Personally I'd just fix the AC
_________________
Casey--

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

DanHoug · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 9:14 am Post subject: Re: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

i pulled my entire AC system out. i love it removed, which is a controversial opinion but this is my van so screw y'all <grin>! i don't care about its resale, i'm probably the last driver it will have.

- enormously improved air flow thru radiator. i suspect with the large flow of air thru the thing, the 'hot footwell' issue will be greatly reduced. haven't had a chance to test that aspect yet.

- being tall, i LOVE the increased outward rear vision without the AC unit in the way plus the headroom it gives in the lower bunk.

- motor access is greatly improved, distributor feed wires easily accessible, spark plugs are just right there. engine grounds easy to work on.

YMMV. i love having my ac removed. plus i have 2 spare heater motors!

-dan

MarkWard · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 9:15 am Post subject: Re: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

Howesight · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 6:30 pm Post subject: Re: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

IdahoDoug · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 7:08 pm Post subject: Re: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

I have also removed my entire A/C system including the compressor and roof/rear window ducting. When I replace the radiator, I will remove the condenser as well and I'd expect airflow through the radiator to improve greatly without the blocking effect of the condenser. Both passive airflow through it while driving, and forced air with the fan on.

The engine access change was indeed a huge improvement. I live in a northern climate, painted the roof white, and use insulated reflective window covers if it's a crazy hot 85 degree day with 40% humidity (heh). But to each their own. I too will be the last driver of this van unless one of the kids wants it when I'm pushing up daisies...
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

DanHoug · Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:08 am Post subject: Re: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

i've had 2 older cars that i've had overheating issues on. in both cases, the space between the rad and the AC condensor was plugged with dust/dirt/debris greatly restricting air flow thru the rad. on one, i just removed the condensor and cleaned the front of the rad. the other, i left the condensor in place but backflushed thru the rear of the rad and flooded enormous amounts of dirt after a Simple Green soak.

so when i removed the condensor on the Vanagon, i expected to see some blockage. nada. clean as a whistle. surprised me.

-dan

markswagen · Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:32 am Post subject: Re: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

What are you disagreeing to, the fact that it won't harm the cooling system, if it's removed

jimf909

dhaavers

jocoman · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 6:43 am Post subject: Re: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

I knew this was a touchy subject and I appreciate all the replies. I am in a northern area and my wife and I just don't like A/C. Weird to some of you I know but growing up we never had it. Condenser is coming off!
_________________
'86 Westfalia 2.0L Zetec
'97 Volvo 850 AWD Turbo
" The fun never stops"

DanHoug · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 7:18 am Post subject: Re: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

there was a great tongue-in-cheek essay many years ago attributing the decline of our society to air conditioning... because that's when neighbors stopped going for walks and sitting on their porch on hot summer evenings, never getting to know who they lived by. office and factory buildings became designed without natural ventilation, and hence sunlight for workers. people became isolated while traveling in cars, instead of all the windows open and elbows hanging out in close proximity to others in cars. it made some valid points.

i find Westy travel enhanced without AC, it puts you vicerally IN the environment with the windows open where you smell, see, and hear more. sure, there's more discomfort. you also know you've been somewhere.

i'm a big sweaty guy. i love AC and would never be without it in a Honda Civic or something. but for certain vehicles and all motorcycles, feeling the hot winds is all part of it for me.

-dan

dhaavers · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 7:45 am Post subject: Re: OK to eliminate A/C Condenser

I'm TOTALLY with you, Dan! On my own, that's exactly how I roll... Cool

Unfortunately, my wife is very heat sensitive which always made our road trips miserable before I got the AC up
& running. Add the buffeting from open windows and it became a pretty consistent trigger for her migraines.

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. See you out on the road, jacoman! Wink

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>


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