Learned yesterday that the evaporator on my 993 A/C is leaking and will have to be replaced. This is a relatively expensive job
The Porsche Part is around $1000. Can someone recommend an alternative?
Thank you
Linn

 

One alternative would be to do it yourself. It is more tedious than difficult, but very doable. I have done 2 of them.


Emerald

 

Subscribed. I have the same repair on my list. I've read the DIY and am close to doing it myself but I have never worked on an AC system and my plumbing skills are substandard. I'd hate to have it all back together and realize I missed an O-ring left a leaky connection.

What do independent shops charge for this now?

Darell

 

I suspect that this will start happening to more of us. Seems like all of the 964 guys have experienced this - including my dad's '92. I am just bracing myself for an eventual repair.

 

You need the kuehl evap from griffiths.

Its quite a bit cheaper and more efficient than the stock piece.

Should knock about $450 off the bill.

http://www.griffiths.com/shop/index....01ec7a85c9e1f3

 

+993!!!
I have it and I have ice cold air in July in Tampa...

 

The evaporator core on the 993 have been known to fail often, it is a major job involving draining most of the fuel from the gas tank, move it out of the way to remove the bulkhead panel and removing the entire HVAC system.

Not an easy DIY.

Here is the DIY posted on my site by TJ
http://p-car.com/diy/ac/

 

Book time is 6.1 hrs + charging the system

So yeah, if you have the dealer or high end indy do it you are looking at $2000 or so.

Yes there is a lot to doing the job but there nothing is terrible hard about it, just more of PIA. Robin is correct, you have to remove or at least get the fuel tank out of the way remove the bulkhead and pull out the havac assembly so you can split the case and get at that sucker. it only takes a couple minutes to change the actual part out. It is just getting to it.

 

Thanks Makmov,

I'll start saving $.

Darell

 

The evaporator core from a VW Beatle is exactly the same, and way less expensive.,cheers,.

 

Are you 100% sure it's the evaporator?
Check the expansion valve before replacing the evaporator. Look under the valve for traces of oil.
That's where I found my leak last year. Just some worn out o'rings... I replaced only the valve. It saved me a bunch of time and money. My evaporator is still fine.
Hope it helps...

 

Agreed there are lots of places the AC leaks. I had a reciever/drier leak.

 

pretty easy to figure out if the evap is leaking.

Take the cabin air filters out, and shine a light into the cavity. if you have an evap leak, you will most likely have an accumulation of mucky/greasy dirt at the site of the leak.

Not 100% fool proof, but a good initial diagnosis tool.

 

Thanks to all for your help. While the system was being checked we put in some more gas. Will wait to see how long it lasts.

 

Pics below show what my old core looked like upon removal (staining is from the refrigerant dye leaking out of the core). The Kuehl model is next to it. As others have indicated, the DIY was a serious PITA but I felt pretty damn good about myself when I it was all done (and blowing cold!).

I hate to say it, but it is a VERY strong liklihood that your problem is a bad evaporator core.

Best of luck!