Your Dodge uses R134, and you should get it with oil already in it.  You
also need a vacuum pump to recharge the system after it's been opened.  So
unless you have the gauges and pump, just take it to an AC shop.

Your Vanagon uses R12, which was phased out in 1995.  You'll have to go to a
shop for that, or you will burn a hole in the ozone!  :-(  R12 has high
value, since it's not produced anymore, so most shops will take it out at no
charge.

And whopeee,  R134 will be phased out in 2010!   Then comes R22 I think.  I
can't keep up.  What is the owner of an old car to do?

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
George Wietor
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 1:32 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: any auto AC enthusiasts out there? compressor oil capacity? NVC

I am replacing the AC compressor on my 2000 Dodge
Caravan SE 3.3 liter. The Haynes book for this car,
the compressor fact sheet and NAPA are not able to to
tell me exactly how much PAG oil to include. The MFR
says  to keep the factory assembly oil in the
compressor after assembly.
FYI, this will be a dry run to someday rehabilitating
the Vanagon /Subaru conversion in my driveway. TIA
George '87 Van O'White in damp Grand Rapids.