A/C

I know this topic must come up a lot, but what is truly the least expensive way to improve the A/C in my 80 SC. 2 summers ago I had a new receiver/dryer installed and the A/C has worked marginally. In the Texas heat, the A/C is really only good for nighttime.

I plan on tinting the windows which should help, but what else? The freon has leaked out 2 years after I had it charged. It must have a small leak. So, what can I do without spending thousands??

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Donald Weintraub
1980 Porsche Red 911SC Coupe

Check out http://www.procooler.com/vince1.htm

And of course procooler.com.

I think this will really help only if you do NOT currently have the front mounted AC condensor. Do you know if you have this? I know my dad's 80 SC with factory air does. Also check your front mounted fan on top of this condensor. It should be on when the compressor is running.

I have the "firewall" kit. I forgot where I got this. I have yet to install it. I tried to run my AC yesterday (99 degrees here in Sacramento). Hardly could tell it was on, except the car felt a little sluggish.

I understand the hoses on the 911s were made to weep. Thereby leak the freon.

Anyone else with suggestions?

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Nick Hromyak
'85 Carrera 7 & 9 Fuchs
Havin' Fun in Sacramento

Donald,

Are you in Plano? Just wondered from your email address. I used a guy in Arlington who tinted my car. Normally not a big deal but I have a Targa and the back window is a bear to do right. Did the entire car for same price as normal and two years later not a bubble or delamination. Very happy with it and it dropped the interior temps by 30%. Let me know if you want the name and phone.

If you want to really cool the car, you need to add another condensor. Germany is not that hot and Pcars just are not going to push cold air out like a US product.

Griffiths engineering in San Diego just posted a new idea with another condensor on the car on the Rennlist. Griffits is one of the experts in this area, and is the best I have found to date. They sell hose kits for the cars and that is my next purchase when I can save up the bux.

Two years on freon for an older system is not bad. The factory used hoses that leaked a bit and in the days of $5 a can freon it was not a problem. Now that freon is $50 or more a can, the hoses become more important. Also several people I have talked with have had blown seals on their compressors...

Better to take it to a pro and see where your system is leaking and go from there. Now that the freon has leaked out, you will need to vacuum the system out, and most people do not have a pump like this at home. You can rent them but best know what you are doing before playing with the A/C.

My 85 with orginal R12 is working fine so far and should last another year. I am resisting putting another condensor on the car and switching to R134 as long as possible, but in the Dallas heat, it may not take long!

JA

Donald,

Forgot, have you removed the "bowtie" attached to the air vent under the dash? Makes a BIG difference in airflow and costs nothing... do this after you get some freon in the system.

JA

Come on guys, be real Texans. Just roll the windows down and sweat.


Mark

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Mark B. Wilson
1970 911E
mbwilson@home.com
http://www.marksobsessions.20m.com/

[This message has been edited by expatriot98 (edited 05-10-2001).]

Check out the A/C improver kit available from Performance Products. It reroutes some of the ducting to reduce the distance that air has to travel through the system and reduce the amount of heat the cold air picks up along the way. Plan on installing it when I get a couple free hours. The parts aren't really worth the $70 it costs, but at least I got the direction with it that explain how to improve the cooling. The hoses in the kit and plugs could be purchased at any parts store.

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'80 Targa