AC Service Valve Access 1987 Vanagon Camper?

[gonevanagon]

Can anybody tell me how to access the service valve for the factory air conditioning? I hear its in the left rear cabinet near the engine compartment. There's nothing accessible that I can see by looking inside. Does that mean I have to remove the whole cabinet out of the van, to then access the service valve to recharge the system? I just bought my van and still trying to figure things out. thanks for any help.

[scotsborn]

According to my Bentley (p87.8) the service valve is on the pipe at the rear of the compressor although mention is made on p87.3 that it "...is located in the left rear cabinet".

[gonevanagon]

thanks, anybody have experience taking out the cabinet to get to it?

[scotsborn]

Sorry...I've a GL and not a camper so not sure they're the same.

[dfresh]

did you figure it out? I have the same year and would like to try re-charging myself.

[gonevanagon]

I haven't found the time yet, was not sure how to do it. I might let the mechanic do it and try to watch them to see how involved. I did find out that there is the old system R12 freon in some vanagons that needs to be converted to the newer 134a. You might be able to keep the R12 but it will be expensive to recharge.