Charley B

'88 S4. Had a dye test ran at a shop and they tell me a leak appears to be located under dash, drivers side center, probably the "evaporator core". I have rear air and during the 24 hours the freon charge lasted it seemed the rear air was colder than the front and it also ran out of 'cold' after the front did. Without 928 or A/C experience, but fair with a wrench, would it be foolhardy of me to pull the dash and go looking for a culprit? I just purchased the car a month ago and have no history on the A/C system.
Is there a shop in the Concord to Stocton area that someone would recommend for this problem?

thanx
Charley

Bill Ball

You're talking big money for a shop to pull the dash and go after this. Nicole had a sealer installed for an evaporator leak and I think her AC has worked fine for a least a couple of years. Maybe she can tell us what was used and/or who did it.

Charley B

Thanks Bill, I didn't realize there was such a thing. Sounds worth a try. If I don't hear from her here I'll send a PM.

Charley

Rich9928p

A/C systems are an area where there are few shortcuts that last. And with the scarcity/cost of R12 you really want the job to be done correctly the first time! I seriously doubt that there is a reliable sealer for an evaporator leak - otherwise any other orface would be sealed too.

We've had a few local AZers suffer from leaking A/C evaporators and Exotic Motorwerks was able to undertake the repair. Replacement does require the dash to be removed, so be sure to find a shop that has the experience to do the job right as opposed to you becoming their paid learning experience. I also suggest that an OEM replacement evaporator be used, you don't want a problem that would require the whole dash to be removed again! If the job is undertaken, it is a good idea to replace the hard to access vacuum motors while they are accesable.

Rich9928p

I know that Devek has a recommended an A/C shop near them - people from that shop participated in past tech sessions. Call Marc or Susan, I'm sure that they can help.

Nicole

I had a leak under the dash in 2002. Took it to DEVEK, who had their AC specialists go through the system. They suggested to try a sealant that might be sufficient for the type of leak I had. A sticker in the engine compartment indicates that it might be called "SuperSeal".

It's been four years, and that leak has not reappeared. I had one other, totally unrelated leak in the meantime and after replacing the faulty part had the system recharged. Works wonderfully!

So here is my take:

1. If your vacuum actuators are all working, try the sealant. Worst case, you still have to remove the dash anyway.

2. If you have leaking actuators, find out how easy they are to replace with the dash in the car - there is a possibility it makes sense to take the dash out and do the freaon and vacuum parts of the ssytem at once.

Bill Ball

DEVEK refers people to San Carlos Radiator. Quite a ways to go for you, Charley, but it might be worth it if they can do for you what they did for Nicole. Along with that Rich said, I don't generally subscribe to these kinds of fixes, but in this case I think it is worth a try.

Charley B

Wow! I am amazed I'm getting responses to my ?'s in the middle of the night. But then, I'm still at work so maybe I'm the crazy one. I'm pretty well convinced the sealer is the way to go. I'm not sure of my chances of finding a competent local A/C shop to administer the cure but it sure would be nice to avoid transporting and leaving the car in the far off land of San Carlos Radiator. If all vent positions appear to be operating correctly is it safe to assume the vacuum actuators are operational or is there another test I should be undertaking?

IcemanG17

Charley
I'm in Stockton....it doesn't take long at all to check the vacuum HVAC systetm.....I'll help you if you want? I have a mityvac (all 928 owners need one).....on the evaporator leak....thats a tough one....I do have a good mechanic in stockton that helped me with my A/C...but he didn't have to go that deep into it...only a hose and drier.... Time to look over the shop manuals! Let me know!

Charley B

Thanks for the offer Brian. I notice on the PO's last work order with Devek that they were sending to "AC Shop" for leak detection and I assume that was San Carlos Radiator, so I think I will call them Monday and see where that takes me.
A previous owner on this car was James King of Stockton from 10/01 to 4/03. It's a red '88 S4. Doesn't happen to ring a bell does it?

Charley

dr bob

Charley--

You'll be over at Devek in early August for Devek Days. Make an appointment a day early (Friday) with Mark at San Carlos Radiator for a look-and-see, and it will save you a trip. Plus, we'll have more to talk about at the gathering.

Thank goodness it doesn't get hot in July in Tracy. Might not be worth the wait if it gets hot...

Charley B

Good idea Doc. Wouldn't wanna Wuss Out over a little mild Spring weather in Tracy.

Normy

Roll your windows down. That's what I do! I can't make my system register lower than about 35 fahrenheit at the vents, which sounds cold but in actuality is weak AC. The heater valve is closed, the pressures of the airco are normal...but it still blows cool but not cold. F*ck it-

I rarely use my AC anyway! I'm convinced these cars were built with undersize air conditioners.

N!

IcemanG17

Charley
James King doesn't ring a bell? Too bad you didn't make it to Bills sunday....it was a multiple 928 diagnosing session....several cars came in with no A/C and left with great A/C!! Odd that almost everyone had a the bad relay problem?

Charley B

Brian - You're right. Your Mityvac would have answered a few important questions. I ran through the vent gates on the way home last night and actually paid attention to each setting, and I definitely have some bad lines or relays. I'm leaving for a week in Alaska on Friday so I will wait till I return to deal with the issues. I'm learning that after 18 years you can almost be guaranteed of some problems in the HVAC vacuum console.
Thanx
Charley