To A/C or not to A/C...
 

So as we are approaching my first summer since I bought my toy I am trying to decide whether or not to try to get the A/C unit working again.

The PO removed the compressor about 4 years ago to lighten the rear but the condensors etc are still there. What I am trying to figure out is how much would it cost me to get it back into working order and after this long, should I assume that all the hoses etc are toast? Also, it has not been updated from freon.

So, can anybody give me an idea of how much $$ I would be looking at to get it running again and/or could it be done at home by a semi-skilled shade tree mechanic?

You live in Mass. Weigh the benefits of removing your AC and the actual amount of days you will need it up there and the actual cost and maintenance keeping that obsolete system "operating". Drivers that live in the south and other very hot places I can understand. Those that don't I would remove it and not look back.

I have a working AC in mine and have used it 3 times in the last 3 years. Ditch it. I will shortly.

Around $1.5k DIY. That's with barrier hose, reciever drier, compressor+mount and r12. That's on the high side of $.

I live in the south, deep south. My PO paid the r134 conversion, system was sort of good. I asked these questions, why drive it on 100 degree days? The amount of money needed to make it as good as honda or toyota AC is alot. Maybe I should just get a another car with good AC for the same money it would take to get it up to par. Having a ****ty AC is worse than having no AC.
fix it on the cheap yourself if you want, but futzing around with all that just for a couple months up there of hot weather will piss you off and in a year or two you'll ditch it.
from the post above, that's what I was looking at. 2K for great AC

I live in NC and it does get plenty hawt here. The AC in my Turbo worked good (cold) for exactly one week after I bought the car. During my recent engine rebuild, I decided to pull it! I removed the tail condensor and the compressor and capped the hoses. I grew up in FL and have owned more "old" cars without AC than with...so I'm used to it. For me it was done to clean up the engine compartment and make servicing the engine easier. I doubt I'll miss it.

Oh and this is my daily driver...

I too was considering removing the AC. Not much use in a Cab. In removing the AC, should the system be emptied professionally? I understand that the R12 is quite expensive as well. Can you get some cash for that (if there is anyleft)?

Lawrence

You would likely have to pay to get it taken out by someone licensed to do so, which you are required by law to do since it is a greenhouse gas, or some sort of bad gas for the environment.

edit: could be different in canadia

well the people have spoken and it looks like the AC is coming back off the car. If anyone had said I could get it running for $300 or less I'd have taken a shot at it, but it aint worth $**** to me when I have an old honda accord which is my winter (and really hot summer days now) car.

Looks like my 911 will be losing 30lbs off the rear tonight...(guessing on the compressor weight based on zero knowledge).

I am in the same boat about my A/C.

Even if you drop $1.5K into the A/C, it still won't blow as cold as my other late-model vehicles. I don't know if I would like that...

I live in hot humid just miles off of the coast Houston. A/C has been removed and not missed. It was not that good to begin with It made the engine hotter than it made the cab cool. Pulled it out and now I have a place to store my jumper cables and I can get to my passenger side intake valves.

that's funny, I keep jumper cables in there to

I have a working unit in my car. Have not needed it once. Even on hot summer days (well for Sweden). I am amazed how that small coupe keeps out the heat. I suppose being white does help. My A/C will be gone as soon as possible. Much cleaner and worker friendly under the rear lid. Bit of weight shaving too.

Don't stop at the compressor. Hunt down every last bit of the whole parasitic mess and exterminate it like the vermin it is,

ianc

I just removed the A/C from my '81 Targa. The A/C didn't work all that well - small vents, it doesn't get that hot in Calgary (usually), I'm never selling this car :-), and of course the Targa top can come off instead.

Also, I knew from past experience with my old 944 that changes in car weight of about 100lbs makes a performance difference.

I removed all of the A/C bits (except a few engine brackets with bolts I can't quite reach and I'm still pulling some wires). The car dropped 67lbs. I also removed the spare & kit (except the v-belt tools) for another 43 lbs - I have CAA - and noticed an acceleration improvement in 2nd and 3rd.

BTW, the Freon evac cost $40+tax at a small shop I found in the yellow pages. (The big shops like Sears wanted $100CDN).

>Don't stop at the compressor. Hunt down every last bit of the whole parasitic mess and exterminate it like the vermin it is

You mean like this ?

http://members.rennlist.com/greg/911t_ac.jpg

80 lbs saved !!!

I had a somewhat functioning AC in my 73.5 and I live in FL. It's HOT enough that I would stop driving the T now... Even when the AC was 100%, it was nowhere near useful enough, made the engine run hotter too.. Might as well ditch it and drive your "other" car on really hot days ! !

If my A/C blows hot, do I assume the system has leaked itself dry?

Two years ago, mine was loaded with "Freeze 12" and I don't think any shop wants that to contaminate their equipment...

This thread has convinced me to pull my A/C.

Only reason why I brought my current P car was because the two Lotuses didn't have a/c and since they are all summer cars it no fun driving in a hot car

I drove my 77 in Atlanta for 4 years without A/C. My wife drove it one warm day and said I needed a new car.

I estimated $3K for a complete setup, which, given the vents in a 77 could not have been any good.

Instead I bought a 90 will ice cold A/C and sold my other car. The net was $4K extra. As much as I loved that car, this was the right decision!

I repaired the A/C in my '88 for $80 in parts, and $300 in tools. (I got tired of sweating to death on that 20-minute drive home from the track.)

So far, so good.