A/C cooling - some tips

Hi ALL!

Since it was 99 degrees here in Sacramento CA last week, I thought I would post two tips regarding A/C on my '85 911 . This week it is only 82F.

My '85 does NOT have the nice big vents in the dash like the 86 and later cars.

Because of this, I went and bought Performanceaire.com bulkhead vent kit (last year I think). It sounds like they went out of business and now I think Procooler.com has this.

I haven't actually installed it, BUT

1) Simply removing the bulkhead diffuser (Bowtie) has made a noticable difference in getting A/C into the cab.

Along with this I found my A/C suddenly is not working like it did in the fall/winter, Go figure!
(I try to turn on the A/C once a month to cycle the oils and to keep the barrier hoses "alive").

So I looked over my aux A/C Condensor (terminology?). This is the coils under the chassis close to the front bumper.

I found it to be quite DIRTY! SHEESH where did this OIL/Grease grime come from?
I have replaced my battery with an Optima. I have also cleaned my battery box using baking soda. Could this have caused the black grease?
If anyone has some idea, please let me know!

2) Anyways, I cleaned it with some Simple Green. I let it soak, rubbed with a nylon bristle brush and sprayed down with some pressured water. I then checked the fan on top of this condensor. It is working and blowing air. I have placed an inline fuse on this fan, as it is known to catch fire when it seizes.

I have not replaced the protective grill for this condensor. I will do that next weekend. I will be careful when parking (I always am).

I turned the A/C back on. Voila' it is working like it was. I also know I need a shot or two of R-12. I think this will be a mechanic install, instead of me doing it.

I can't wait to drill another hole in my bulk-head and allow another 1 3/8" to blow into the cab. (Sounds Sadistic eh?)

Anyways, I thought I would share.

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

[This message has been edited by nhromyak@yahoo.com (edited 05-14-2001).]

I removed that weird bow tie thing off of my bulhead (84 911), where is that new big hole supposed to be drilled?

John D

According to my template it is about 1 1/2" - 2" away (measured center of each hole) from the OEM hole.

Then there is a grill/diffuser, similiar to the Factory one in the dash, that goes over the two holes. I would not drill there without the template. Be careful, you might drill through the evaporator (cold side)!

I can either email you a copy or snail mail a copy. I think it might distort if I email a copy.

If anyone else wants a snail mail copy, I think I might need to request the postage, depending on what the reponse might be.

What is postage these days? .34 ?

Nick

my email is johnd@wzrd.com
I don't mind any email distortion, I can make it out. What I did was remove the bowtie thing and stick a vacuum cleaner hose in the hole ( the plastic cone on the end fits perfectly)it's about 6 inches long and I just bend it to blow on me. I'm wondering if I can find a dash grill off some car in the junk yard.

Nick,
I'll take an e-mail of that diagrame too. Thanks.
--------------------
Paul
78SC Targa
pbs911@msn.com

I'm wondering if anyone out there has found a dash grill off of some wreck in some junkyard that would over the bulkhead hole and just sit there looking "factory" I'd hate to spend a day or more climbing over wrecks with a tape measure tearing apart dashes, anyone ever done this?

I have heard that the conversion process form R12 to R134 is quite simple. Basically adding larger nosels and fill her up. A friend of mine had it done on his 88 coupe. IT is a real cooler now.

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I did the wal-mart 33 dollar conversion and it works really well, can't compare it to what it was like with r-12 though. but removing that darn bowtie thing actually creates airflow!!!!

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'80 Targa

[This message has been edited by radcon (edited 05-15-2001).]

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'80 Targa

[This message has been edited by radcon (edited 05-15-2001).]

Sorry for the blank posts earlier. Removed the bowtie from under the dash yesterday. Can't believe how much air comes out of that little hole. It's unbelievable that one of the easiest fixes for the 911's lame A/C is to remove a factory installed part. Why would they design something to purposely restrict the air flow?

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'80 Targa

[This message has been edited by radcon (edited 05-15-2001).]

Nick:
Sounds to me like all that greasy stuff under your front condenser grill is actually freon/oil which has leaked out of the system in that area. No other reason to have oil down there... I wouldn't suspect the battery. That's probably where your leak is if you're needing a charge. Get them to put in dye when they recharge the system to trace the leak.
regards,
jlex.

Jlex,

That's what I was afraid of. I didn't want to admit it though

Can someone tell me where the fitting is to add freon to an 83 SC? Thanks.

I wouldn't worry too much if it's just a loose connection. You may be able to tighten it yourself once its located. If the condenser's got a hole in it, you may have a more ticklish problem. Don't know if welding is a possibility once the leak's located or not. Best to use the dye procedure (its visible under blacklight only) to find out just where the problem is. You may want to start out by gently tightening any loose connections you may find down there. Good luck.
regards,
jlex.

83 Cab,

I believe there are three different areas to add Freon or atleast to check pressures.

One is in the engine compartment at or near the compressor. Second is behind the drivers front wheel-well, I think this is called the Dryer. The third area is in the "Smugglers box" where the Evaporator (the cold maker) is located.

I have NO IDEA about pressures, amount of Freon etc. I have seen what happens when you overcharge an A/C system. Not pretty.

I suppose I can check with the Bentley book I have.

If I go to see my dad, we might install the Freon ourselves. He has the gauges, and the Freon. However, he is 5 1/2 hours away (at speed limits )

My mechanic will only charge me two hours plus Freon.

Nick

[This message has been edited by nhromyak@yahoo.com (edited 05-15-2001).]

Originally posted by johnd:
I did the wal-mart 33 dollar conversion and it works really well, can't compare it to what it was like with r-12 though. but removing that darn bowtie thing actually creates airflow!!!!

John--can you provide a little more info on
that Walmart $33 R134 conversion? Any add'l
parts required? Is this a package YOU install
or is it done in their garage? Tell us about
whats involved. Any tips? Thanks!

George 86 911T

I have a 69 911.

It doesnt have any A/C on it.

I would like AC for it.

Will the ProCooler.com setup work.

Along with the ProCooler setup.. can i just get a fan and the PIPPING from another porsche.

Or is there an easier way to do this?

I need A/C!


Thanks

I think I know what JohnD is talking about.

I have seen a R-134a conversion kit in my local Pep-Boys.

Not sure on the price though. As I recall, you remove the R-12 (how you do this is up to you). You screw on the adapters, a red one and a blue one. These screw onto the original stems (similiar to tire stems). Then you add the "new type" of oil, I forget what type. Then you can add the new refrigerant. The one caveat, is you still need to vacuum out the atmosphere (water vapor) from the system. This water vapor causes the system to freeze and become useless in your Evaporator (in the smuggler's box). The vacuuming part is what I do not have. Hence, I will send mine to the mechanic.

Hi,

Will A vintageair.com setup work on an early porsche.

Help I need AC!