GeorgeK

I have finally got around to having the AC looked at.
Being R12, which is now really extinct around here, I had my worries. The local AC specialist had other ideas. We replaced all the rubber seals, at every junction, the dryer which was bad, and did a partial refill for the sniffer to look around.

Funnily, the sniffer did not find any leaks, and the system works. A complete R12 system, working without problem so far with R134. Compressor, lines, everything. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It's been a week so far.

There was one alert with the sniffer, which turned out to be a porous fuel line in the gas fumes recycling tubing. That solved a persistent fuel smell I had.

And then....

911Jetta

It's been eight months for me...I'm crossing my fingers for the both of us.

I had my AC converted to R134 at the end of the summer last year. To keep the system it top shape, I ran the AC once a month over the winter (don't know if that was totally necessary, but it's always nice to see that's it's still working). Just days ago I ran it again at full speed...still blowing ice cubes!

For others needing AC work...here's my situation:
My system worked fine for years after I bought the car, then one spring is seemed much less effective. Then the wife commented. Then the conversion thread searches started...

The shop tested my system for leaks, with none found they then excavated the system of all the old R12, which took a long, long time (1 hr+). R134 was pumped in with new caps attached. It was strange driving home in 90 degree temps with all the windows up...and no sweat on my back! Conversion cost was less than $120.

Did you get rear ended?

GeorgeK

Yup, rear ended. A hard jolt. Guy was apologetic and signed the accident form that stipulated he rear-ended me while I was stationary.
Seems I am looking at a complete bumper (3 parts), support and crush tubes, all 3 rear lights and some straigthening of the rear lid latch plate.
Plus whatever the body shop finds out of line.
I already talked to his insurance and got no resistance whatsoever.
And I saw a doc for a sore neck.

911Jetta

Watch that sore neck. That's serious stuff that might feel fine today, but get worse tomorrow? Take it easy this weekend!

Project Shrek has seen it all. Years of outside storage, winter mountain driving, etc., etc....now this! Nothing can stop Shrek!
I say go for a RS center section rear bumper...

Brian 96C2

Oh bummer George.

Were you alone? Hoping you were and no one else in the family was with you.

I was thinking the same thing. Replace it with the RS bumper. Looks like you will be able to have the leaky center reflecter replaced also which is a bonus.

GeorgeK

Hi B!
Yup, I'll try for the RS bumper. It *all* needs to be changed anyway. I had a closer look today while changing over to summer wheels, and the bumper is all cracked where it hit the alloy beam. The license plate lights are in shrapnel. The chassis legs seem straight, as does the center muffler. the rear reflector is all cracked.
Some good will come out of this anyway. I have asked the body shop to paint the 2 993 door handles I have stashed away, and he agreed.
And my neck is fine, no more than a bit sore, which I had worse before. I may go for dynamic X-Rays on Monday.