Randall G.

Thanks Drew. I'm leaning toward converting to R-134a. Not much more expensive than a single R-12 service, and should work fine for me here on the coast.

Think I'll put off my conversion until next spring, however. My A/C is still just cold enough to make my (albeit, cold blooded) wife ask that it be turned off.

pig4bill

The "evils" and danger of R12 are overblown. There's not even conclusive evidence that it's any worse on the environment than R134a.

Jeff Curtis

I think if we keep to the topic at hand...a statement as simple as "testing for leaks with R134a will be a helluvalot cheaper than testing with R12"...not to mention the potential harm to the environment.

I, for one, plan on beginning my thorough testing once I've cleaned everything out and "converted" to R134a - it just makes plain sense.

Adrian

Dear Bruce,
I missed your response. Thank you for your kind words. I wish I could answer in a really positive way but I cannot. Everything is still too raw. Needs lots of time and distractions.

R12 by the way is totally banned here in Switzerland. R134A is used and has been required since 1993. I have not heard any complaints from the non Porsche owners who run their nice cold aircon systems with it.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

Wachuko

I am going through this also... had the car filled with R12 30 days ago (after two years of nice cold air). After 30 days is back blowing hot air...

Took it today for an inspection and they told me it was the evaporator...

US$1,800.00 to replace it (along with the expansion valve, and other bits...) and convert it to R134... <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

I guess I will be using the car with the top down more often until I can save up for the fix...

I saw some posts and changing this seems to be a very involving task... to many things to remove that adds to the amount of stuff that can go wrong...

...but what about the change to R134? Is this something that can be done by the average DIY??

Gary C2

Jamie,
Parts of the R134 conversion can be done by DIY. The first item that needs to be done is evacuating the old freon and oil. That will need to be done by a person with the proper equipment. The second thing that needs to be done is to fix your leak and at least replace your receiver/dryer. Both those can be DIY. Filling the system with R134 can be also be DIY. There are kits that you can purchase that includes the freon, oil, fittings, and filling hose.

Gary

Jeff Curtis

Gary, Jaime said that his leak was in his evaporator coils...while that could be a DIY job...it is VERY involved. It requires complete removal of the fuel tank, fuse box and parts of the dashboard...I've seen it - it's NOT for the faint of heart or "shade tree mechanic" as there is LOTS to mess up.

I am fairly sure my evaporator coils have sprung a leak, but I must say...I HOPE NOT! Once I am finished with the minimal steps to upgrade to R134A I will fill the system, along with a dye pack to see where my leak is. If it's in the evaporator coils, it will likely NOT be noticeable and a hydrocarbon "sniffer" will have to be employed to verify that it is indeed the coils before I undertake that project. <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

Guys, good luck in your AC endeavors...I've never had a Porsche, and I'm on #5 - where the AC worked 100%. As a matter of fact, I removed all the AC equipment on my SC and sold it to have a lighter track car.

Now that I'm getting older, I'm growing towards liking the comforts afforded by a more modern P-Car...hence my interest in making the AC work in my current baby.

Gary C2

Jeff,
I agree that the evaporator replacement is an involved job. However, unless you find a mechanic that has experience in replacing those, you may not be any better off than using a "shade-tree" mechanic. While I can't speak as to the compency of the average Porsche dealer mechanic, my other vehicle has been to the dealership for a few service issues and all 3 issues were not correctly fixed. When my distributor belt broke, I called an independent Porsche mechanic (as the closest dealer is 120 miles away). He didn't even know that the distributor had a belt. So did I have him do the distributor belt replacement...No. (I did it myself). Would I have him do to the evaporator replacement...No.

Gary

vilhelm

While out in California..I managed to locate a leak in the high pressure line with a sniffer. The leak was up in front of the engine where the air con lines turn left and exit to the wheel well to continue on to the front of the vehicle. I believe the leak is at the seem between the rubber and metal piping. Unfortunately I only had two days to spend in beautiful Bakersfield and there was no way to get the part replaced in that timeframe let alone have it delivered. So I charged the system and booked out across the great Mojave Desert in 103 degf heat. I'm happy to report a safe and cool arrival in Houston with no speeding tickets. Now off to find a good air con shop to hopefully verify the only leak is in the high pressure hose and replace it. I'm not sure the cost of the hoses put if reasonable I'll probably replace both.

Anyone with any comments on having a/c line fabricated locally versus using Porsche parts?

Adrian

Dear Bruce,
I see no problem using an aftermarket line. It will be cheaper and in the case of this particular system probably more durable. Go for it, nobody will ever notice anyway.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

vilhelm

I finally have a resolution to my air con woes.
I had two leaks isolated. One in the High pressure a/c hose and one in the evaporator core.

Once i had the system entirely torn down to replace the hose and evaporator core I decided to replace the low pressure hose. The receiver/ dryer was restricting flow so that as well and the expansion valve and all the o-rings. essentially everything except the compressor. (turns out the compressor is one of the least expensive components of the system).

I now have a virtually new a/c system and am R134 ready.
all at a tidy sum off....(drum roll please) $3400.00

Wachuko

[quote]Originally posted by vilhelm:
<strong>....(drum roll please) $3400.00</strong><hr></blockquote>



(Jaime, getting another/bigger piggy bank for fixing his A/C)