Has anyone removed AC from an '85 Vanagon tin top?

[geo_tonz]

Has anyone ever removed the goofy overhead AC unit found in an '85 Vanagon GL tin top? The style that is kinda 'H' shaped with a bank of vents above the wind shield and another immediately behind the front seats, housing the guts. here's a pic I found on VWVortex: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v105/HeyY0Satchm0/Vanagon/IMG_2229.jpg

I'm wondering if it can just be unscrewed and removed easily and if the head liner will look like ass or if it will look a complete hack job. Was there staining and holes when you took yours out or did it just look 'less weathered? are there lots of obvious holes in the pillar where the plumbing comes up? I'll probably tear into it soon but the plastic looks a little fragile so it might be a one-way trip to see what it's like. Any prior experience you could share would be lovely.

The unit doesn't work and I am not really interested in spending the money, time and horsepower to refurbish the system back to operational given that I would use it very little and the van is not exactly a 'cherry' piece of equipment.

Lots of info on the forum about taking out westy AC but none on these (that I found) and the Bentley doesn't have anything on pre-'86 style vanagon AC (emailed them and they don't have a supplement either).

Thanks in advance!
GT
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[n8ure2]

I have the same system and am in the same boat wanting to pull it out. I hope someone can shed some light on the subject.

Thanks
jeff
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72 Super Beetle

[RufusRockwell]

I have the 85 A/C system and refurbished it about 2 years ago. To take it apart, first unscrew and remove the plastic "tunnel" which runs between the driver and passenger. The wires leading to the controls in the front part and a bendable metal wire run through this. I think there is a connector so you can unhook the wires. The metal wire goes into the top of the evaporator. To take down the big part behind the seats, first remove the plastic housing that runs up the wall behind the drivers seat. This is what covers the hoses and wires. It should be two pieces. Now you will see two bolts holding the left side of the housing to the wall. Don't take them out yet. Look on the right side behind the passenger seat at the very front of the sliding door track. There is a single screw aiming upwards through the track and into the housing. The A/C kind of rests on the track on the right side and is secured by this single screw. Take the screw out. Support the unit as you take out the bolts on the left side. I think from here you lower the left side first until the right side is free from resting on the door track. I set mine on a stool behind the front seats. The front part has a couple of screws on each side and one toward the windshield near the rear view mirror. I suppose you want to make sure the system is empty before disconnecting the hoses. You should find a nice clean spot of headliner where the A/C was. Hope this helps.

[geo_tonz]

That is exactly what I was looking for Rufus! Thanks! I had nightmares of starting to take it apart and breaking the housing before I found out the headliner was a scarred-up mess underneath. So after removal of the plumbing on the left side you're not left with any big ugly holes?

Thanks!
GT
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[RufusRockwell]

The plumbing hoses come in low behind the drivers seat close to the wall and run up to the evaporator. Look in the rear of the drivers side wheel well and you will see where they enter. Should be easy to cover up the holes. Up top there will be two holes where the housing was bolted and possible some staining on the headliner from the metal plate but not bad.

[geo_tonz]

Right on, thanks a lot!
Aloha!
GT
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[geo_tonz]

N8ur2: if you do it first take pictures and post. I'll do the same if I don' t see them bythe time I get around to it.
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[havenot001]

[havenot001]

Here are some photos.

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1963 Type 143 Karmann Ghia
1985 Vanagon GL 2.3 Gowesty 2WD
My Club:
B.L.T.N. bltnvw.com
Meet every thursday evening after 7:00 pm
Micro Center parking lot
Stevens Creek and Lawrence expy Santa Clara, ca

[geo_tonz]

Awesome! Thanks a lot! I have a little carpet cleaner that I might try to erase those lines with. It's commin' out when I get back from camp!

Thanks again, The Samba rocks!
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[geo_tonz]

Awesome! Thanks a lot! I have a little carpet cleaner that I might try to erase those lines with. It's commin' out when I get back from camp!

Thanks again, The Samba rocks!
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[n8ure2]

GT,

I removed mine this weekend. It was pretty straight forward. If you plan to remove the hoses, compressor, condensor, canister, you have to take the radiator loose to get the condensor out form the bottom. My headliner did not look too bad. there are a few extra holes visible now and I need to address the 3 holes in the drivers front wheel well to block. I'm simply going to put a metal plate over them for now as I am going to add a kitchen unit in the future an may choose to utilize them for electrical or plumbing etc.

I'll get some before and after photos up shortly

Jeff
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72 Super Beetle

[geo_tonz]

[n8ure2]

before

after

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72 Super Beetle

[onemat]

This is a great thread. I have the exact same system in my '82. Are you guys planning on just going without air conditioning or are you replacing the unit with something else. I also see that we all have the cracks in the same places... I've been wondering how much work and aggrivation it would be to get mine running.
Matt

[geo_tonz]

For me it's more cost and effort than what it's worth. My van is no show piece and I live on the west coast of Canada. I might use it a dozen times a year, or I can just roll the window down. Dog likes that better anyway.
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[havenot001]

No A.C. for me. My 1.9L has 180,000 miles on it and it needs the remaining H.P. to get over highway 17 on surf days.
Plus I kept thinking someday it might fall on me.

Also how do you remove the A.C. compressor stand on the motor?
_________________
1963 Type 143 Karmann Ghia
1985 Vanagon GL 2.3 Gowesty 2WD
My Club:
B.L.T.N. bltnvw.com
Meet every thursday evening after 7:00 pm
Micro Center parking lot
Stevens Creek and Lawrence expy Santa Clara, ca

[IdahoDoug]

If you are looking for little chunks of headliner to glue over any holes, removing the side panels under the rearmost side windows will yield you some chunks VW used as overlap when fitting it. I used some pieces from this spot to try repairing a couple holes. I could not find anything that stuck, however - get some good advice on that as I was puzzled by things I though should adhere that did not.

DougM
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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, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[geo_tonz]

Good tip Doug, Thanks!

Havenot: yeah that's the other reason why I don't really want it. These things are not exactly powerhouses and to sap even a couple hp could be noticeable. In camp without my Bentley or van nearby so I won't take a stab at how to remove the bracket just now. Maybe Na8ure2 has some insight?

GT
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[n8ure2]

for me it was cost (not wanting to throw money at retro fitting and recharging it with the risk of it still leaking out and not functioning), aestetics (cleanliness and headroom, hated bumping into it going through the middle of the seats to get to the rear), opening up more room to work in the engine bay, and just all around dumbing down the van to the basics for reliability and less things to fail.

As far as the bracket, I have not removed it. The compressor comes off with 2 allen head bolts and the two tensioning bolts.

The engine bracket appears to be secured with 3 bolts, two appear to be fairly accessable while one is under some hoses. I'm planning to pull the engine and rebuild in January. So I will probably just leave that bracket attached until then.
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72 Super Beetle