Needing AC service - do I take it to a Porsche wrench?

[cantdrv55]

I've been using a local shop to do work on my wife's Honda and son's old Volvo. The shop is trustworthy but am not sure if they've ever worked on 911 AC systems before. Is there anything exotic about our stock AC system that this shop can't handle? When I bought the car 5 years ago, the AC blew cold and I know it was running r12. I'd like it filled with the same if they can still get the refrigerant.

Is going to a non-Porsche wrench for AC service a bad idea? A good P-car wrench is about 25 miles from me.

[Barrpete]

There are some things that are unique to 911 AC systems, like the decklid MUST be closed when the AC is operating. If the shop is not familiar with 911's I'd find one that is.

[Decolliber]

I think the compressor fittings are pretty standard and recharging would be obvious to any trained person. I have been going to a regular auto AC shop for years. And yes, he does close the engine lid. My system loses about 1/3 of its R12 per year.

[GH85Carrera]

One other difference is the sheer volume of the components with hoses running front to back. Most A/C guys will pull a vacuum for just five minutes or so. Griffith's recommends 30 to 45 minutes of vacuum time. It is hard to get a professional to spend a lot of time on it since he makes money getting a job done faster than book time.