silverose

My A/C stopped working on my 87 951, so I took it into my local independent mechanic, he says the A/C compressor locked up. He recommended (to do the job right) that most of the major A/C parts need to be replaced because when the compressor jams dirt gets into all the A/C tubes, and flushing the system won't get all the dirt-gunk out. The total cost of replacing everything is several thousand dollars, needless to say I don't wan to pay that much if I don't have to. Any advice on less costly alternatives would be much appreciated.

PorscheMD

To do the job right, you need to replace the compressor, the drier, and the expansion valve. Although you can reuse the expansion valve if you wish, they are cheap and you need to remove it anyway to properly flush the system. The rest of the system can be fushed successfully. You do NOT need to replace anything else. The job normally runs around $1200 P&L to do by a good qualified mechanic.

turboted

Without knowing exactly what your mechanic quoted you, it's hard to say for sure. But he is correct about the *right* way to fix your problem - replace all components in the system. Especially if converting from R12 to R134 (which is almost certainly the case).

Do a search...there are a few companies who sell R134 conversion kits for 944's. These kits include all replacement parts (including compressors) and sell for around $600-700 I think. But I've heard doing this work yourself is a PITA. (<-- isn't everything w/ our cars?)

Alternatively, you can try to find a used R12 compressor and slap it on, but I don't recommend it. Chances are this solution will be short lived and you'll have additional problems soon.

turboted

PorscheMD - why not replace the condensor, too? I would think this would be necessary for the conversion to R134.

mikeroz

Try Griffiths on http://www.griffiths.com/ for your aircon parts. They do a Kuehl kit for the 951. I remember reading someone from Texas say that his 951 was cold enough for polar bears to live in in the middle of summer with one of their kuehl kits. They are designed with R134a in mind.
I ordered one about a month ago which arrived recently and is yet to be fitted. It looks great to me.
My car is in having paint job and engine work at the moment, afterwards my mechanic is fitting the Griffith kit . Can't wait to see how it performs.

fortysixandtwo

He is right that a seized/ burnt out compressor will add debris (and one a few different types of acid [but I'm not positive which one for R-12]) into the system and that flushing the system will not get all of it out.

As far as replacing most of the major components, I would change is the compressor, receiver drier, TEV (thermal expansion valve) and flex hoses.
Parts that should not need replacing are the hard lines, Evaporator coil, and Condenser coil.

PorscheMD

It is not necessary. The condenser will work fine with r-134a. The fans on the 944's are big and strong enough to keep the head pressure down to acceptable levels using the factory condenser. I am in Oklahoma where in the summer it gets 95-105F with 40-60% humidity. I have done MANY conversion and if done properly with right amount of refrigerant and oil in the system. It will cool as well as R-12. Yes the compressor does contaminate the system when it siezes. But, if it is flushed properly, you CAN get it all out. After the system is put back together you need to put a vacuum pump on it for at least 1hour. This will get all of the air-born contaminents out of the system. When you convert to R-134a, you use 4oz of oil in the system total and 80% of the total refrigerant that you would have used with R-12. I think that comes to 28oz of R-134a. When using R-134a these numbers need to be exact for the system to perform well. You can't over charge by 3-4 oz and get away with it like you can R-12.

TRACKIN951

Not to steal the thread but what does it cost to convert and charge the system to R134a on a r12 system?
Thanks
Dustin

lart951

I have all the necessary components from a working A/C system. Removed from the car last monday.

silverose

Lart951, how much do you want for the set?

evil 944t

pm me a price on a spare wheel!!

lart951

Sweety, I will look for it tomorrow that's why I haven't pm me, because it must be in my storage.

lart951

$ 250.00 + shipping and if you are not happy you can always return for a full refund.

evil 944t

Thanks, sweet thang!

silverose

Lart, you have PM.