Troy C

A while back I posted a message about my AC not working at all. In any event, I took the car to the dealer for repair. It needed a new compressor and they converted the system to R134. When I picked up the car, the front air was not very cold, but I was in a hurry and thought I would deal with it later. On the way home, the front air basically went hot, the back air still very cold and the temp guage shot up with warning lights coming on. Fans are working, all belts intact, all hoses seem fine, no smell, etc. Called the dealer and they said they would probably have to go under the dash as it was probably going to be flap and vacuum issues. Of course this would not be included in the $1,400 dished out already. If anyone has advice, it would be greatly appreciated. I am annoyed that they quoted me a price to fix my air, which did not fix my air. Also, put in a new clutch and oil pan. This was an expensive trip to the shop. Sounds like it is going to get worse. Sorry for the long post.

Thom1

Hi Troy,

Sorry to hear about your woes. Take a look at this post. It explains some vacuum principles. Your front vents will blow warm air as soon as the engine warms up when you have vacuum leaks. Rear will still blow cold. Take a look at Tony’s pictorial procedures to get a quick idea about work content. You may get lucky, and only have a disconnected hose. Next best would be only a bad heater valve. Greg Nichol’s site has diagnostic and repair procedures. There are also more A/C discussions on this board.

Engine overheat is more mysterious to me. Perhaps they left sensors disconnected.

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=002288" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=002288</a>

HTH,
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Greg86andahalf

Troy,

Are you looking to get info to dianose and repair the A/C youself? Or are you looking to gain some info to help you if you go back to the dealer?

I did a search of teh archives for "A/C cold".

Here are a couple of good discussions on the topic, there are many more in the archives.

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=000111" target="_blank">A/C discussion</a>

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=002288" target="_blank">A/C discussion</a>

[quote] When I picked up the car, the front air was not very cold, but I was in a hurry and thought I would deal with it later. On the way home, the front air basically went hot <hr></blockquote>

First place to start is the hot water valve. If it's letting warm coolant through when it's supposed to be shut, you will have problems. As discussed many times here, even a hot water valve which appears to be closed can pass coolant since it is a plastic device and parts get warped. It's a $10 item and the average wrenchmiester can handle replaceing it.

[quote]When I picked up the car, the front air was not very cold, but I was in a hurry and thought I would deal with it later..........Called the dealer and they said they would probably have to go under the dash as it was probably going to be flap and vacuum issues. Of course this would not be included in the $1,400 dished out already. <hr></blockquote>

What is up with these shops? <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

You go in and ask for cold air, pay their price and don't even get home with cold air. Then they start the schtick about how much more it will cost to get cold air??

I would find the service manager at the dealership and ask that person how they got acceptable levels of cold, when it didn't even last during your ride home. Remind him you paid for cold air and expect it to be so. (You really should have turned the car around that day and let them see that it was not cold.)

[quote] the temp guage shot up with warning lights coming on. <hr></blockquote>

Does he car run hot alwys, or only with the A/C on? also, did they drain and refill the coolant for any reason?


Greg

Donald

Troy-
Commiserations.
Do the basic vacuum checks yourself- see Wally P.'s checklist in addition to Thom's diagnostics.
Mine has been in twice for a/c (once to dealer, once to independent Porsche specialist) similar prices and no joy. Now will do all the vacuum control myself, then to independent for conversion & fill only. I suspect neither one of the shops checked the vacuum lines & connectors, which will be done tomorrow- my Mity-vac tester arrived Friday.
HTH
Donald

Troy C

Thank you all for the advice, links, etc. I will check out these items and try and find the cause before taking back to the dealer. Hopefully, it is something I can find and fix. I apologize for being the new novice 928 owner asking questions that have been asked many times over. I am learning to work through the links and info that is provided in this vast knowledge base. I have a feeling that over time I will be able to help answer other novice's questions like a pro, like you guys.