A/C Upgrade? / Oil pressure sensor switch?

Booney1golf · 09-09-2007, 02:15 PM

Hello all, I live in Texas and I bought my car without the A/C working. I have read the various problems associated with cooling 911's. I have about $ 1500 to spend on trying to get my A/C working. I know the compressor is bad. Any tips so I can get the most bang for my buck in trying to survive the Texas heat?

Also I think from reading the various threads regarding oil leaking that I need to change the Oil pressure sensor switch and hopefully that is all for now. Can I replace this without doing an engine drop or possibly even replace it without doing a partial engine drop.

I cannot see myself being able to do either of the above but I would like to stop this leak if I could possibly do it myself???

I almost forgot. My car is a 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa 3.2 liter engine.

Thanks for all that read this and especially for those who respond. I am honored to be apart of this community.

Best regards,
Daniel Womack (Booney1golf)

fly4val · 09-09-2007, 02:19 PM

My mech replaced the oil pressure switch and resealed (oring) the thermostat on my '88 with the engine in its usual setup...

scottb · 09-09-2007, 05:58 PM

You might give Ron Maxwell at Rennaire a call. He sells various a/c kits, and I think some are within your budget. www.rennaire.com.

Barrpete · 09-09-2007, 06:23 PM

+1 on Rennaire. It's likely your system has more than one problem so fixing it one piece at a time can be frustrating and more expensive in the long run than replacing it with a complete new system. Rennaire's system also includes a few upgrades and it's just under $1500.

tcar · 09-09-2007, 06:42 PM

Have a A/C shop put a vacuum on your system to see if it's tight. Assume you're still R12? Or was it converted? If it's tight, you could get a rebuilt compressor. (ebay?) for a couple hundred. Get leaks fixed if you have them, often it's just o-rings.

My '79 with a charge of R12 is very cold.

If this works, you're WAY under $1500.

Booney1golf · 09-10-2007, 07:44 AM

Thanks to you all for the responses. I really appreciate them. Can anyone tell me step by step what I would have have to do to change the Oil Pressure Sensor switch and the Thermostat O-ring, without a full or partial engine drop.

I am going to attempt to do this myself and any tips or suggestions would be appreciated. The shop I took it to told me it would be between $750 and $1000 and they were going to drop the engine however I have seen on this forum that this is possible without a full or even a partial engine drop.

I was going to sell the car because of the oil leaks and not having air here in Houston but after spending most of the weekend reading various post and seeing how tight of a community you all have. I was inspired and decided to tackle these issues myself (actually hoping and praying that I could count on some of my fellow P-car enthusiast friends here at Pelican).

I have not worked on this car other than basic maintenence but I am determined to learn and to start working on this vehicle to get it into top shape.

I am honored to be part of this community.

Help please!!!!

Thanks & best regards,
Daniel Womack (Booney1golf)
1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa

wilke3169 · 09-10-2007, 08:18 AM

If you don't have the required books it would be worth while to invest. 101 projects, Bentley, and the rebuild book, even if you aren't rebuilding, provide information that is priceless. On my '81 targa i changed the switch and seals without even a partial drop but, i wouldn't recommend it. that was before I knew about this place or the books. A partial drop is really not bad at all and can open your eyes to so much.

Oh, and welcome to the board.