I have been thinking of doing this. Are there any special tools I'll need, and any suggestion of source for parts?

 

I didn't need any special tools. Check this page:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...so_rebuild.htm

I usually get my stuff from www.ackits.com, but I believe www.acsource.com also has the stuff you will need for a 6E171 rebuild.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

 

Hi Everyone,

Just to follow up.

I bought the rebuilt Denso AC compressor and new dryer from TechChoice Parts. Had it installed and just got my S4 back today. Everything is running great. Total cost, compresser/dryer $250, installation and system recharge $440, total cost $690.

FYI: Plus, for $25 more TechChoice will grant a lifetime warranty for the compressor, one year warranty is standard for the AC compressor.

Cool breezes blowing in the Porsche on a hot, 90+ degree Florida day!

VTY,
Joe

 

Hi Everyone,

Here is an update on the AC Compressor for my '88 928 S4.

In February 2011 the rebuilt compressor from TechChoice Parts I had installed in 2010 failed and seized up completely. Who knows why, but the unit only lasted about a year.

Taking everyones advise, I bought a "new" Denso 6E171 AC Compressor from Pelican Parts, plus new dryer and expansion valves. They offer 3 day delivery for $3, nice. Parts came in and first week of March I took the parts and car to the shop to have it repaired, again.

By the time I got home from dropping the car off, there was a phone message - the "new" Denso Compressor was the wrong model. After frantic phone calls to Pelican Parts, it turns out I ordered the right part, but their system kicked out the compressor for the 1990-1995 models of the 928, whoops.

ALSO, it turns out there is no "new" Denso 6E171 AC Compressors, only rebuilts available. Their rebuilt was done by Denso, so they overnighted the correct, rebuilt Denso compressor to the shop.

Shop got the compressor and installed it. I picked up the car and after driving 10-15 miles home, I noticed a whine from the compressor. Kind of like a dentist drill. Drove around for a week and the noise didnt go away... so I take the car back to the shop and they say I have a noisy compressor, get another one.

I called service dept at Pelican Parts, again, and they send a third compressor, another Denso rebuilt compressor. This time when the part was replaced the shop had to completely clean out the AC system because the first rebuilt compressor had crap in it and gunked up all the AC lines.

All said and done, I had to pay for two compressor installs, but at least now the AC works and is quiet, no more whining noise. Fingers crossed, this is the last time I have to work on the AC on the car in a long time.

Joe

 

Joe,
Sorry for all your troubles.
Hmmm, was the shop not flushing the system btw compressor failures?
Seems strange to me to only flush the one time they saw "gunk".

Getting the wrong compressor from Pelican wouldn've chapped my ***. I have not ordered from them since they messed up parts in two orders, of two.

I'm glad you fought through and got your AC up-to-snuff. Enjoy your cool driving summer!

 

Joe,
did you go back with R12, or did you convert over to R134a? I still need to address the AC in my 85.

 

Egad!

 

Still running R12.. works just fine.

Joe

 

When a compressor seizes up, the whole system *must* be thoroughly flushed. The drier and expansion valves should also be replaced. If you don't do this, particles from the damaged compressor can make their way into the system and could then get into the new compressor and damage it as well.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

 

Hope this is not too far of a stray from the origonal post, but I don't order from Pelican as much any more. I'm in Honolulu so shipping is pretty expensive. I ordered a radiator for my 944 S2 from them and got the wrong part. I didn't want to pay to ship the wrong part back and reship so I made it work, but while the car runs fine with the wrong part in there, there is a satisfiction of doing a job right that I missed. Perhaps, if I had make a stink they would have comped me the shipping but it would have been hundreds of dollars so I kinda doubt it. I must admit, I did not ask. But now I try to get my 944 parts from Roger. I feel like he will make the extra effort to make sure it is the right part that is shipping and I won't be stuck, thousands of miles from the nearest landmass, with the wrong part.

 

Hey Joe - PM Sent.

 

I think a new Denso (or alternative like the Griffith kit) is the only way to go. A standard "rebuild" involves just seals. Nothing is done to the pistons and casing. If you rebuild yourself, same thing. Joe's story is all to common. I've looked at the John Deere 6E171 situation, some very inexpensive for new. All have a single mounting ear. If you ask the same suppliers for one with 2 ears, the price is a couple hundred more ($499 vs. $299). Weird.

 

The rebuilt (thought it was new, but wasn't) Denso 6E171 that I got was rebuilt by Denso in Japan. Still just seals and nothing else?

 

I suppose it is possible, but unlikely. I think the amount of work and $$$ required to rebuild the hard components of a compressor would far outweigh the cost to just manufacture a new one. It's like an engine; if the bores are scratched, would you try and hone them and insert sleeves, then larger pistons? Or whole new casing?

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

 

Well I assume they have some specs they check for wear of the pistons and cylinder block, but to replace them basically means you've got a new compressor. I may be wrong, but I think they junk ones that are out of spec. They may do a better job of checking the unit over than some of the $199 rebuilders. Anyway, it looks like new 6E171 units can be had readily for $499; maybe cheaper, but I haven't found any below that.