Bryan Welch

The compresser on my 91 944S2 lost the front seal recently, and after some researching and posting I'm going to purchase components from <a href="http://www.griffiths.com/" target="_blank">http://www.griffiths.com/</a> to fix it. There aren't any AC specialists in where I live, so I think I'll replace the parts myself and have someone flush and fill the system.

The parts that look best are the Kuehl compressor kit and Super II condenser. Unless I need to replace some lines, that should get the system ready. I was hesitating on the condenser replacement, but since the car lives in Iowa the AC needs to work hard on hot summer days and I don't want to do all this installation and end up with a marginal system.

I'm planning on following the steps on Griffiths at <a href="http://www.griffiths.com/achelp/achelp3.htm" target="_blank">http://www.griffiths.com/achelp/achelp3.htm</a> where one installs all the parts and hands it over to a shop for filling. I don't see any modifications needed in the instructions.

Does anyone have recommendations or changes to these plans?

thanks,
Bryan

Quickbeam

Looks good. What did they quote as their prices?

Bryan Welch

Kuehl compressor kit: $600
Super II condenser: $325

Quickbeam

Not bad considering you'll have ice cold air. Let us know how it goes once you're all set up.

rfuerst

You might want to check out VERTEX auto in Florida,they have a rotary compressor kit for less than what you stated here,just a thought. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Tabor

I plan to do the exact same thing. Great plan.

MK802

Bryan,
I was faced with almost the same dilemma a couple of months ago with my ‘91 S2, although I lucked out with only needing “O” rings at the compressor/hose fittings. None the less, because I was tired of paying the robber baron price for R-12 I decided to have my car converted to R-134a. Not to take anything away from the Griffiths folks, I’m sure they know their stuff and ultimately you’d have a superior system but I have to say I’m quite happy with the performance of mine so far and I live in hot, humid central Texas.
Basically I had the shop evacuate the system twice after they replaced the O-rings, replaced the dryer (very important), recharge with R-134a and a product made by BG Products(www.bgproducts.com) called FRIGI-QUIET II, which is a lubricant supposedly compatible with both PAG and the traces of mineral oil left over from the old refrigerant. I didn’t buy another condenser or compressor. Anyway it’s been in the car about three months or 1000 miles or so and I’m quite pleased. On a 90+ degree sticky day, it’ll get down to 42 degrees at the dash vents. Now I’ve read the horror stories that warn of imminent compressor failure if all the old lube is not removed, but I’m hoping that having it evac’d twice and the BG oil that I’ll be OK. Again I’m not saying that you wouldn’t have a superior system if you followed their advice, but you just might get away with buying a compressor and dryer and be just as happy and spend less money doing so.
Let us all know what you end up doing.

Mark Kulczyk
'91 S2

Bob S. 1984 Silver

Mark:

Your experience is not unusual. When the system is evacuated properly, nearly all the old compressor oil boils out under vacuum. Most times, unless there is mechanical damage, very little has to be changed when converting over. I live in Tucson. Even warmer here!!!

Bob S. (with MVAC certification)

Wolf-Dietmar

Is there any possibilty to get the compressor reworked and repaired ?
Mine is leaking at the compressor axis.

Wolf

Bryan Welch

I heard from some places that I should find a auto AC specialty shop and they could likely rebuild the compressor. Griffiths said that with the 139,000 miles on my car, the compressor isn't probably worth rebuilding. Since I can't seem to find any auto AC shops where I live, just replacing it looks like the best choice.

waterlogued

Which compressor do you have on right now?

weizen

Bryan, are you anywhere near Sioux City?

Bryan Welch

It's about a three hour drive from where I'm at just west of Des Moines.

Bryan Welch

After receiving the compressor and condenser from Griffith, I started the process of installation this last weekend. The parts were packaged well and the directions were well written, though there are several "do what works best" areas that made me thankful I had a friend with me that is good at mechanical installations.

We didn't get far that day. A closer examination of the compressor made it clear I didn't just lose the front seals. The clutch ate itself when the compressor froze. The next step is to take the car to a specialist that has equipment to run cleaner through the system and get all the metal fragments out.

The good news is I finally found a person willing to work on a Porsche where I live. He's rebuild 944 engines, so I'm glad to have found him. The bad part is he can't start until August 16. I'll post more then.

Bryan Welch

It took a while, but the new Griffith R-134 air conditioning upgrade is installed and working well. It feels just like the original AC so far, but I haven't had a really hot day to test it fully. The mechanic said it had all the right parts but was a bear to install due to space constraints and the need to modify/fabricate some parts to make it all work correctly. Overall, I'm glad I went with Griffith.

Bryan