keep AC or remove

[cmcfaul]

Got tired of spending money on the AC last year and left it non working. Had it upgraded a few years ago and it still worked OK at best. Every spring it needed $$ to get it going. Did not really miss it last year so dont plan on seeing whats wrong with it this year.

Opinions please. Should I remove the compressor and maybe other components that do nothing but add weight and restrict air at this point. Or leave it in there thinking I or a next owner might want to fix it someday.

Thanks,

Chris
89 Carrera

[shadowjack1]

Where I live no A/C is not a option. Remove the parts and save them for the next owner.

[GH85Carrera]

That was no option but upgrade for me. My bone stock AC like all 3.2 Carreras was pitiful at best.

I just smoked the credit card, and ordered Charlie Griffith's duel Kuhel system. Great instructions, and a product that works great 11 years later. I drive it to Key West last year in July. I was totally comfortable and loving the great AC.

Chris, you say you did have it upgraded a few years ago, what was done? Replace the hoses, add two condensers, new evaporator and of course the receiver-dryer. If done right it will blow cold on a hot day. I live in Oklahoma and we hit high 90s all summer and 100+ is not unusual at all.

Driving back fro Florida last year it was 100+ outside in the afternoon, and I was driving due west right into the sun. With sunshine on my arms and chest I had to turn the temp up because I was getting cold.

[Nick Triesch]

Keep it! You will not have your car forever. Next owner may want a complete car. I would. Why not leave it in place. If you take it out your car it will still do 0-60 in the same amount of time.

[1979-930]

Leave it on or up-grade the whole system to one that works like Griffiths.
Unless you are getting rid of a lot more than the AC system you won't notice any performance difference.

[schoward]

Leave it alone (Do nothing) for now. You have an 89 Carrera - that's pretty nice.

If it was done not too long ago not sure why it cant be salvaged by someone who knows what they're doing either now or when you're ready.

My AC was refurbed and converted in 2005 and is still fine. Requires about $25 (2 cans) of R134 each year and 45 mins of my time to top up. On long road trips (especially if it rains and I need to cut the humidity in the cabin), it would be awful without it. Those are the times I am glad I have it. If yours may just need a fix to get it going again (not a total basket case), think about it either now or in the future vs ripping things out.

[LIRS6]

I removed and boxed up the compressor and bracket, and the condenser, but left the lines in for the next guy (my son in 20 yrs?). I live in NY, have a Targa, so when I'm driving it it's usually with the top off anyway. In 34 yrs of ownership I used the A/C maybe five times - don't miss it (it was kaput anyway when I removed the components).

Jason

[Bicykiller]

I removed the compressor, condenser and center console with controls but left everything else in place. It didn't work very well and I needed the space in the rear for repairs. Eventually, I want to put in a Griffiths system. It does get hot sitting on the freeway in Los Angeles.

[Arne2]

I second the idea of leaving it in place. Pull the belt and fuses, and leave it installed. If I was a buyer who wanted A/C, it is a simpler thing to think about refurbishing and enhancing a non-working system that is installed than it is to have to figure out where a whole bunch of loose parts go. If you feel you must save some weight, pull the compressor itself and maybe the rear condenser, but leave the brackets and hoses.

[gremlin]

We used to not need AC accept for one or two days a year, lately however we need it a lot more often so I'd vote keep it. I just finished off the classic retrofit install in my car for this reason

[cmcfaul]

Thanks all. I am going to take it to a shop and if it can be revived for less than $200 I will keep it. Otherwise I am going to remove the compressor and airtight seal the lines and compressor.

Chris
89 Carrera

[Evans, Marv]

If it were my car, I'd remove it and box it up to go with the car if/when I sold it. The car is 30+ years old, and mine is 20 years older. I have read over time as the lines age, they tend to develop leaks/weeps which may mean they will all have to be replaced anyway. So whatever you do, the lines may have to be replaced. You can leave them in place and let the next owner worry about that or remove them as part of the project to remove the AC system. I tend to dislike having mechanical things hanging onto my car when they're not functional and necessary.

[ClickClickBoom]

Remove the entire kit and kaboodle, the OEM design is design compromised when it was new. I took every stitch and fastener and sent it to the dump. Years of inop sitting and the hoses had rust in them as well as every component attached to them. The condensor box was solid block of corrosion. Was really a no brainer. If the next owner or you needs A/C, none of the components would be used, except for some switches. This is a long running discussion. I love A/C, but decided against installing a new system in my car, thats me, if I lived in the southern climes, one of the modern retrofits would be a no brainer.

[Mister e]

I'm considering the same in my '86. My plan is to remove and see. I plan to use the car as a second almost daily driver. In PNW not much need. If I want A/C I plan to install this https://www.classicretrofit.com/collections/electric-air-conditioning/products/air-conditioning-kit-for-classic-911-full-kit.

[ADDvanced]

Ditch. It was a terrible system to begin with. I removed mine, good god I didn't know how heavy all that **** was or I would have done it years ago. The compressor limits access to the side of the engine anyway, and even the lines were heavy. I tried selling the lines for 1.5 yeras before I threw them into the trash. There is no market for that old junk.

If someone wants AC they should buy a new designed past 2000 aftermarket system.

[pkabush]

Since you don’t live in a area where it’s a necessity I completely agree with those who advise to ditch the entire system. As for not noticing the weight loss, you will.
When I ditched my system my 930 looked like 4x4
I saved all my parts but, even if I do ever sell I doubt anyone would re-install it.
Like others have pointed out, if one wants a/c, they’d likely go with a modern system.
Good luck whichever route you choose.

[Kraftwerk]

The weight difference is noticeable.

[Snitzler]

I always drive with the windows down and my a/c didn't work so I removed it. Really like how it cleaned up the engine. Was worth 54 lbs. I am thinking about back dating the heat next...

[Robey5]

Well; my rig is 10 years older than yours; so: the system was a piece to begin with. There was no doubt mine was going in the trash, it was just a matter of time. Don’t know where you live - but we get some hot ones here in the mitten - and that still did not change my mind. I still have a couple pieces of it in the garage, but next time I am by them: and I am in the mood to trash em: they’re going in the can.

[FrankM_]

Originally Posted by schoward

Leave it alone (Do nothing) for now. You have an 89 Carrera - that's pretty nice.

If it was done not too long ago not sure why it cant be salvaged by someone who knows what they're doing either now or when you're ready.

My AC was refurbed and converted in 2005 and is still fine. Requires about $25 (2 cans) of R134 each year and 45 mins of my time to top up. On long road trips (especially if it rains and I need to cut the humidity in the cabin), it would be awful without it. Those are the times I am glad I have it. If yours may just need a fix to get it going again (not a total basket case), think about it either now or in the future vs ripping things out.

OK, glad to know that is considered 'normal use'. However hard I worked on it last year, it is still losing pressure by the end of the season. Unfortunately though, R134a is not freely available here (you need a special license) so a simple pull/vacuum/refill each spring costs me like $125.