R134 on Sanden in 164 AC

[VLADDS@domain.elided]

I did the following:
 Switched to R134 on stock compressor with new filter-drier.
After filling it (when i had gotten the car, the air was not working), 
although you could see the clutch engaging, the air would not be cold, untill 
i ran the car in idle one day for 1 hour clicking in and out the AC.
It worked for 2 years, nothing extraordinary, but within 164 AC expected 
performance, cooling you down in 15 minutes on 90 degrees weather, and after 
the initial 15 minutes cold air at each start-up within 5 minutes of standing 
still.
After 2 years, the R134 leaked out, and my attempts to replenish it with 
over-the-counter R134 bottles didn't work. The leak was at the seal of the 
compressor, so I decided to replace it.
I went with a unit from Hancock (the place described at the 164 homepage), 
that sells for a lot of money refurbished units (core required). When you get 
it, there's a big list of what you have to do, so that the unit stays under 
warranty. I installed it, replaced the drier refilled, checked for leaks, 
filled with R134 (they allow the R134) and got cold air. 2 months later, the 
pulley of this unit started having a lot of play against its clutch, untill 
it seized. Attempts to claim the warranty on the unit remained futile. 
Hancock claimed that the clutch seized because i had not undertaken a 
cleanout of the piping of the ac (you be the judge of how logical that is).
Soooo, i went with the AlfaBill setup, with a new unit (core not required) , 
changed the filter again, had the piping cleaned, filled with R134 and am 
still running cold AC now (about 10 minutes to cool down in 90 degrees 
weather).
To be absolutely honest, the setup, that involves a thinner (i think 1 or 2 
grooves) belt for the accessory, does bring a bit less voltage on the 
voltmeter, but in normal running you're still at 14v, when the radiator fan 
kicks in you get 1 volt less (12 instead of 13).
Vlad
'91 164L
85 Biturbo S
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