Anyone have the AC working?

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

Today is really hot around here 95F and I am nice and cool driving around in my Passat TDI. The car came with a dead ac but after putting in a new condenser and receiver dryer, evac and recharge, the AC is now working great. It's on constantly and I'm still getting 45 mpg!

This leads to the question: How is the AC in a 92 ecodiesel Jetta? Anyone have working AC in one? Is it worthwhile getting it going? With my success in fixing the Passat's AC, I feel confident I can fix the Ecodiesel's AC also. I would leave it R12.

[Rabbit on Roids]

yea, you leave it R12, then tell me how expensive and hard to find it is.. lol. pretty sure they quit making R12 refrigerant years ago.. and for a reason.

[jpedro]

R12 is really easy to find, just transfering it from unit to another take a bit of messing around with adapters and hoses. you just have to look for old fridges and transfer it over, ive done it on a few friends vehicles before. like i said it is difficult but doable, if not any auto place make a R!@ substitute you can get in the small cans that are recharge kits they also work well even in the old R12 setups

[arb]

R12 is really easy to find, just transfering it from unit to another take a bit of messing around with adapters and hoses. you just have to look for old fridges and transfer it over, ive done it on a few friends vehicles before. like i said it is difficult but doable, if not any auto place make a R!@ substitute you can get in the small cans that are recharge kits they also work well even in the old R12 setups

China is exempt from the R-12 ban. They have been making it by the tanker load all alone. That said, its VERY expensive new here in the West, but as stated you can re-cycle it legally in the US if you have an A/C license. ( you can also buy it new with the license as many house A/C still use it) McMaster-Car does not even carry it any longer...

I'd switch to R-134a just for the cost and ease of finding it, if not for protecting the ozone layer.

[DCC]

Someone I know has both a GTI and a GTD, both of them have working AC with R134. I think he had to change the condensers. Made a short trip one day.. 600 miles under the heavy sun and it works perfectly.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

DCC, good to hear that the GTD AC works well on R134. Was a bigger or more efficient condenser put in? From the research I've done:

1. R134 runs at higher pressure than R12 and may shorten the life of a R12 compressor converted to 134.

2. Due to increased R134 demand R134 prices has risen. Due to decrease of R12 demand, prices has dropped. R12 currently is not that much more expensive than 134.  Supply and demand set prices.

3. For $15 anyone can take an online course and exam and get a 609 liscence which allows you to buy R12 legally.

[Swartzvw]

I bought this and put it in my 87 jetta. Works good and is nice and cold.

http://www.es-refrigerants.com/products/default.asp?id=14&t=refrigerant&Trying=ON

[DCC]

DCC, good to hear that the GTD AC works well on R134. Was a bigger or more efficient condenser put in?

I have no idea, sorry.

I know that R406 is more of a direct replacement, and that Dupont's R414 (which is hard to find) IS a direct replacement for the older R12 systems.

[Soot Sandwich]

Well, not sure on leaving it R12.  In my 1985 NA diesel I have AC and it works better them my 06 VW.  It was professionally converted to R134.