MarkRobinson

I have no real complaints really: My 951 AC system running R12 rocked...until yesterday when my AC would no longer function.

Shop says I have "grinding" from inside my compressor, compressor's most likely kaput.

What are common upgrades? I guess I don't need it any colder...though less drag on the engine would be nice.

Suggestions? I have access to numerous Boxster compressors and possibly some NA 944 and a 951 compressor: I don't think I should try to have mine rebuilt: a good chance it's a waste of labor.

Thanks,

Mark

dnovak

Just use the 944 ones, Clean it with AC cleaner, Install a new Filter Dryer, add the oil and dump 134A in it. As Josh and my Wife, They work great! I think it cost $8 for the new oil + $10 in cleaner + $36 in 134A. You will need to push cleaner through the entire system to clean it out though!

PorscheDoc

Have used the rebuilt units off ebay from coolzoneparts without any issues. IIRC around $230, and I think that includes a new drier.

MarkRobinson

944/951 AC compressors (later style cars I assume) are interchangeable?

I can't find a rebuilt one for less than $360. Both mechanics that diagnosed my car wouldn't recommend rebuilding: parts to repair + rebuild would be close to a rebuilt..

M.

86 951 Driver

I have this in my car and it works pretty good.

Scott H

Has anybody noticed the price of 134a going up lately (the past year or so)? I picked up two cans recently and I swear the price has at least doubled.

gregeast

I've looked at Griffith's from time to time, they have rebuilt stock Nippondenso units but also offer their own "Kuehl" brand that is a new compressor which is supposed to be better and more efficient. No personal experience but I have heard/read good things about them.

http://www.griffiths.com/porsche/ac/944ac/index.html

ehall

If you can afford it, go with Griffiths. i've heard the same, and from a LOT of people. I've not yet once heard a single negative, over like 5+ years.

Olli Snellman

I installed new seals. Cost $25. Total cost under $100

Crackership

I have the Kuehl compressor and condenser on my car. The PO installed it all. It works awesome. Well, it did work awesome, until recently. I think my heater core valve thing has quit... but, even with a lot of warm air mixed in from the heater core, it manages to make inside cooler than outside, so I guess that's a testament to how well it works. I've honestly never experienced a stock system though, so I don't really have a point of reference.

ehall

Stock, with new seals, ruinning R12, works like a 50k Porsche should work. (Yes, many of these cars were once 50k brand new, in 1986-89) Unfortunately, they don't have new seals and can't run R12 in many places, so the Griifiths stuff probably works as well, if not better than the original. Keep in mind, however, in that era, Porsche wasn't remowned for it's AC! HAHAHA Quite the opposite! But ferarri, Lambo, etc. had ****e AC's during that era, as well.

Olli makes a decent point. If you know how, and can aquire the seals, a rebuild isn't a bad idea. However, you should also replace every other seal, withing the system; and the heater core is part of that.

MarkRobinson

My system has been resealed completely in 2002, works/worked great, but my compressor is grenading from the inside: grinding/squealing badly: I don't plan to reseal/reuse it as it'd probably be more expensive to try to refurbish the damaged compressor than trying a used one & getting it resealed: so that's my thought.

It worked well enough to continue running the stock system via R12, just wondering about a lower-drag compressor.

Mark

lee101315

If you have access to R12, install a reman compressor and a new drier, flush the system, fill with R12, and enjoy ice cold AC

If you can only get R-134... it just never works as well in a 951 as it would in a newer car.

The condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, and oil used are totally different and optimized for R-12 gas... so using R134a in an R12 system will never work efficiently.

Griffith's sells the parts needed to make R134a blow ice cold on a 100deg day, but it'll get a little expensive. Ive been looking into it, but ive also looked at removing the AC system as well to save some weight

jimbo1111

There is a product called Hot Shot that is a direct drop in for r12. It can be used without changing the oil. Works great.

SD Porsche Fan

Ditto. Although the 134a is not as cold as the R12.