A/C pull it out or fix it
 

Don't know what to do, should I work on fixing A/C unit or yank it out? I've had my 1981SC for a year now the A/C never worked (the belt has been off for a while) do I spend the money to fix it? (in excess of $500.00) the car runs great I don't know how it runs with the compresser going but I'm sure there's a difference in performance and from what I've read a good operating unit is moderate cooling at best. I live in the S.F. Bay Area and we have had our share of record breaking heat waves here but they don't last for weeks like other places maybe a few days and I normally don't drive around that much when the temp soars (engine temp also) is anyone out there stuck between a rock an a hard spot besides me on what to do? Thank you

If you think it will cost $500 to fix, odds are it will cost twice that. Mine did. Two years later mine still works, but who knows? It's nice a couple times a year, but those days I could drive the truck, which has a nice AC.

If you ever want to sell the car, working A/C will pay for itself (it will increase the resale $1000).

If you plan on keeping it forever... pull it out (sounds like you just want a few of us to convince you of that anyway!).

you're in CA, gut it like I did :)

I say gut it. And when you do, can I have all the parts?

Really! I'll take them all!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at it this way... Why would you want to put more load on an engine that already runs hot? Gut it.

I got rid of mine 2 days ago, it only take an 45mins or so and you can put everything back in easily if you want to.

Depends on how hot and bothered you want your cup holder (blonde or otherwise) to be:D Jim

dude, i live in the east bay. it gets hot like africa compared to you in the city. dump it. save all the parts in a box. the main benefit is that the car is easier to work on. lots of room! but if it only took $500 to fix. who knows, that is not bad either.

Hey Barclay,

I'm in exactly the same position. I've had the car about 2 years, the A/C was not hooked up when I bought it, but all the parts are still in there.

Down here in Orange County, I think we get a little more hot weather than you do, but mine is a weekend driver only. Besides the incoming air seems pretty cool even on a hot day. (Probably because it doesn't have to go by a hot engine on the way to the cabin.)

It's a tough call though. If I ever decide (read: need) to sell it, the working A/C will certainly aide the value but is it really worth throwing money at to fix. Most of what I hear is that even "working" systems are only moderately cool, with some exceptions. (The Porsche Owner's Manual that came with my SC has a lot to say about keeping the A/C working properly. I think in three different places there are warnings to operate the system once per month whether you need to or not just to keep the seals fresh. But don't quote me on that.)

Sooooooo, what's my point? Well your question was in anybody out there "stuck between a rock and a hard place" like you? My answer is: Yes, I am too. But I think I'm going to gut mine as the wise Pelicanites here have recommended. (But save the parts, they may come in handy later.)

Hope that helps.
Paul

I know I can look it up, but is the metal fins attached to the underside of the engine hood part of the A/C system?

My A/C does not work (1977 911S), I am thinking of boxing the compressor, what else should I remove to save weight and improve air-flow?

What is the best way to secure old hoses flapping around?

Ha, ha. I was told NOT to remove it by mine. We turned it on for the first time this w/e since it's >$3K rebuild by the PO. I'm not sure it was worth the $3K. :)

Don't listen to any of them,,,,gut it and send me all the parts. I'll even pay the shipping

I face the same delimma, not connected, belt off...hot engine. Priority has to be fix the hot engine, then move to AC. However, living in S. TX I feel I'm a bit under the gun. Survived last summer, but not looking forward to doing it again. But mine tends to heat up a bit and I've got to address that first. One word sums it up...Budget!

Same boat as you but I live in Canada.....for the few weeks a year I need it, it would be nice to have have rather than peeling myself off the seat.
My deal was I went to upgrade the coolent and found the fittings on the compressor were siezed. Need a new compressor, and probably alot more.
I'm thinking.....light weight :)

Toss it, your car will feel more nimble;).

I've got a complete, functional system in my crawl space (minus hoses) You really want them???

I say gut it... Brother Souk weighed all of his stuff to include the blower in the smugglers box (I kept mine in)and it came out to something like 100lbs!!!:) Easy and cheap way to add HP!!!

As you can see, everyone either is taking one out or trying to install one (like me). I have Souks old setup and it is @ 60lbs total (not installed yet). But it is the early VPC version without a front condensor or fan. I am saving for a rotary compressor and barrier hoses. To me, if a Porsche is a daily driver, it should at least have the creature comforts of a KIA. If it is too slow, I would have to just add HP.
If you remove it and store it, the compressor seals will most likely go bad. If undecided, I would leave it until I was sure.

Pull it and put it in a box. When you are hot, take some of the $500 and buy yourself a cold one.

The compressor hangs in the worst spot to add weight: High up in the air in the very back of the car.

These cars were not conceived with A/C in mind. It has been butchered in there later to sell it to a luxury market. In my eyes a/c has NO HOME in a 911. When I grew up in Germany I didn't even know that there were cars with a/c.

George

I pulled mine... I have a big black air conditioner on the top of the car. It blows real good when you take it off!

Keep the AC and box the rest of the car (OK OK I'll "duck and cover", as per an educational school song of the early fifties)