Expensive to get A/C system going ?

[levonfarra]

I am considering buying a SC, but the owner said that the A/C compressor has been taken out (he still has it). He states that it would have to be recharged, but we are in California and he is not sure if that is legal.

What would it take for the car to have a running A/C and how much would that cost?

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Levon

[schamp]

He may be talking about the older style and the older R-12 freon. You may want to look into just flat out replacing the older a/c stuff and going with newer barrier type hoses etc. In which case I believe you will be spending upwards of 12 to 1500.00. HTH

[DaddyGlenn]

Well, that depends. If it is a stock system, you will very likely want to replace every piece. The stock systems didn't work very well and they were designed to leak.

I think I spent $1,200 on mine and I did the installation. But I added a couple extra condensers so you could get a minimal system for less.

[levonfarra]

is that for parts only or parts and lobor ?

thanks

[DaddyGlenn]

just parts

[Barrpete]

Parts only. I replaced my entire AC system except the decklid condensor for about $1400 and did the install myself. The install isn't hard but it is time consuming and dirty. Oh, & that doesn't include the cost of charging the system with refrigerant.

It is legal to recharge it but a shop will have to test it for leaks first. You could try to simply reinstall the compressor and hope everything works. For sure you will have to replace the reciever/dryer though since the system has been left open. Even if everything works, as DaddyGlenn said the stock systems didn't work all that well to begin with.

[scottb]

The SC had a York compressor, and it's worthless. It also had non-barrier hoses, and they'll need to be replaced. You can probably re-use the evaporator and front and rear condensers. Here are some ballpark figures:

Pre-fab barrier hoses -- $400
Nippondenso or Sanden compressor -- $300
Adapter plate for compressor -- $100
Receiver/Dryer -- $100 (or ProCooler for $300)

So, for a bare-bones a/c restoration, you're into about $900 minimum, and that's just for parts. It's easy to replace the hoses yourself, but it's a time-consuming and dirty job. You should also pull the evaporator and condensers and have them flushed by your local a/c or radiator shop and then pressure tested. That should cost you about $100. Then you have to have a shop vacuum the system and see if it holds. Then recharge with R134 or R12. R134 should cost you about $150, R12 twice that (at least).

Here's the problem -- The factory Porsche a/c sucks. At best, even with R12, you'll get cool air, not cold. Many people, me included, have embarked on a quest for low-to-mid-30 degree temps. Do a search for my name, brcorp, mthomas58, hugh r., etc. and you'll see the various modifications people have done in an effort to get lower temps. Jim Sims is the board's resident a/c guru. When he opines on an a/c issue, treat it as "gospel." You should do a search on his name as well.

If you want really cold air, you should go with R12 and add condenser surface. Griffiths makes a slick set-up for adding condensers to the rear left fender. It has the option of adding a condenser behind the wheel and in front, or just behind. Charlie Griffiths makes great stuff, and is extremely knowledgeable about Porsche a/c. His web page (www.griffiths.com) discusses his "Mr. Ice" project where he achieved temps in the mid 30s using R134. While it's obviously possible to get that kind of cooling with R134, not every a/c shop or DIY mechanic has Charlie's skills or expertise. Thus, even with his stuff (evaporator, condensers, compressor, hoses, etc.), most of us "mortals" can't get that kind of cooling out of 134. Jim Sims has had good luck with 134 too but, again, his knowledge and expertise are far greater than most of the rest of us.

A/C can be a very slippery slope. Once you get started, it's tough to stop. It's fun, though, and very rewarding when you have cold air on a HOT Southern California day.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

Scott

[DaddyGlenn]

Originally Posted by scottb

{snip}... Charlie Griffiths makes great stuff, and is extremely knowledgeable about Porsche a/c. ...{snip}

+1

that's where I got my stuff

[GH85Carrera]

+1 Griffiths makes quality parts. I love my A/C system!

[Barrpete]

If you decide to 'fix' the AC there are many, many options. But it is doable.

Check out this thread by khamul02:

Ultimate AC Thread