1993HK964C4

Hi all,

The aircon was not working one day so I drove to my local porsche garage to have it checked out. The problem was diagnosed to be low on R134 gas. Great! Cheap to fix - fill her up please!!

The aircon was very cool for about 2 days, but on day 3 it was warm again!

Obviously there's a leak somewhere, but what I like to know is where the most likely place to check??

Thanks in advance.

Simon

Derek H

Simon,

First place I'd look is the compressor shaft seal. This is the seal that is behind the compressor clutch/pulley assembly. I have the same problem with my '92 968. After talking to a few A/C shops, it seems that the Nippondenso compressors on P cars have a tendency to wear out the seals. The workshop that filled up your system should be able to pressure test the system to confirm the source of the leak.

In my quest for alternative fixes (compared with a quote for the Swedish equivalent of about £800 to supply and install a rebuilt compressor), I spoke to a company near to Birmingham who were extremely knowledgable and helpful. They quoted approx. £120 to reseal and test my compressor. I have their phone number at work so if you need it, let me know.

Good luck!

Derek
Linköping, Sweden

1993HK964C4

Thanks Derek, but my C4 is in Hong Kong.

I'll check the compressor pully area tomorrow.


Cheers!


Simon

Randall G.

Hello Simon,

Great information on automotive A/C can be found here:

<a href="http://www.griffiths.com/" target="_blank">Griffiths</a>

Specific information on troubleshooting the A/C system (including how/where to look for leaks) can be found here:

<a href="http://www.griffiths.com/achelp/achelp1.htm" target="_blank">A/C Troubleshooting</a>

Best of luck!

GT9111

Hi Simon,

This situation happened to my 90C4 two years ago. The mechanic traced the problem to a leaking condenser, which is located inside and beneath the dashboard. He replaced it with an aftermarket one and with labor, cost came in at around HKD3500. Till this day, I have not refilled any air-con gas at all. The air-con just blows freezing cold air all the time. The mechanic's shop is located in Wan Chai, reply here if you need more help.

bj

Area's which have a tendency to leak are couplings. (i.e wherever there's an "O" ring). You can do a visual check of these areas for leaks which tend to acumalate dust due to the oil leaking out. I found two leaks in my system, one at the coupling on the left side in front of the rear wheel behind the rocker panel and at the receiver/drier in the right front fender.

Good Luck
90C2
Bill

Rich W

The most likely culprit is the condenser.

Mine sprung a leak a year ago. Jeff Curtis has the same problem. A mechanic at the shop I frequent stated it was a common problem with the 964.

Naturally, it's not an inexpensive fix, since replacement of the condenser involves removal of the fuel tank, among other things.

I would recommend replacement of the thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) while you're in there. At least it will save you the labor of removing it all again when the TXV fails.

Good luck!

1993HK964C4

Thank you all for your help!


Hi GT9111,

Please may I have the phone number to that garage at Wan Chai?


Cheers,

Simon

GT9111

Phone no# is 2573-8018, ask for "Kong Sok". Tell him that I recommended him. The shop is not the tidiest or the most organized, but at least he gets the job done. Hope this helps.

Adrian

Dear Rich,
You mean the evaporator. The condenser is mounted in the left hand wheel arch.
As for which component leaks the most, they all leak. You need a sniffer to find the problem. Do not stop until every square inch has been tested. More than once there have been multiple leaks. If hoses are leaking inthe engine bay they may also be leaking up front. Leave no stone unturned.
I would agree to start at the expansion valve because it is easy to get at. Oh yes "Please" make sure they have the pressure gauges hooked up when they do this. They should be able to detect which side, the low pressure or high pressure is leaking by doing the pressure test. This helps cut down time in troubleshooting/sniffing.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

Bins

Try an air con company that fills the gas by including a dye.

Then you/they can check where the dye is turning up. As already mentioned, it could be the compressor, condensor, filter, evaporator pipe.

1993HK964C4

Hi All,

Thanks for all your advice. Most helpful.

Got my car back after one night in the shop and all is well now. Had to replace the condenser coil and thermo valve ( both located under the dash and had to remove fuel tank to gain access).

Total cost (parts and labour) HKS5,000 (around US$640)!

Cheers!

Simon

Jeff Curtis

Cool Simon! (pun intended) As Rich mentioned, he and I seem to have the same issues, although I haven't PROVEN mine yet.

...and yes Adrian, Rich meant to say the evaporator coils.

My best guess is that we will tear apart Rich's car first...then I can have all that wonderful experience to do a STELLAR job on my car next.

After all, RSAs aren't even supposed to have AC!!

As weird as it sounds, it's nice to see that a few people are indeed having this problem. When I brought it up several months ago, seems as if no one had heard of the issue...now it seems the problem has run rampid. <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

I was beginning to think that the East Coast was the only place having that issue!

BTW, does anyone have the part# handy for the aftermarket evaporator coils...I already have my "aftermarket" (Honda) receiver/dryer on order...for 1/3 the price of the Porsche part - when compared side to side, it's the exact same part!!

GT9111

Simon,

Always glad to hear a happy ending story. So, where did you bring the car to get it fixed?

Randall G.

[quote]Originally posted by Jeff Curtis:
<strong>***snip***

...and yes Adrian, Rich meant to say the evaporator coils.

***snip***
</strong><hr></blockquote>

And, Simon meant to say evaporator coil, though I suppose you can make an argument that it condenses moisture from air going to the cabin.

Funny (or not so funny thing) is, the evaporator should--in theory--have a relatively low probability of being the source of a leak. That's considering it being on the low pressure side of the system. The pressure on the high side of the system is 10x or more greater (varying with ambient temp.) than the low side.

Simon--that seems like a reasonable price for installing a new evaporator and expansion valve.