AC Question

[jurhip]

Well, I just removed my AC. Some of the hoses were bad and I don't use it enough to justify buying replacements right now. I read a lot of posts on AC in these cars and have a question based on them.

What did people do before AC was prevalent? Why do some feel it is needed when people have driven without AC for ages.

I know it is nice in hot climates, but I just don't see the point given how I use my car.

[EMJ]

My car is a daily driver and the summers in Northern Virginia are extremely hot and humid. I just literally got back from getting my AC serviced after 3 years of open window air conditioning. Thought I had some major evaporator or hose leaks, turned out I only had a leak in the compressor fittings. Replaced the fittings and I'm back in business. Cold air and I switched to 134a. Gonna be a good summer!

[warner53]

We had wind wings before A/C.

I am in the process of putting a wind wing back in my 86.

W

[Neel]

We've all become spoiled.. My first car was a black 1950 Ford.. I never thought about A/C, most cars didn't even have it back then (1963).. I was happy to have something to drive!! Even though I live in SC and it gets hot and humid here, I still don't use A/C that much, but it's nice to have, especially in traffic.. AND, I am a bit more 'mature', so I'm spoiled too .... lol

[jurhip]

Well I am spoiled n SoCal. Growing up in Chicago, summer humidity was horrible. But you can get use to anything I guess.

To be honest, I wouldn't have a DD in the midwest without air.

[j911brick]

Try Texas or Florida in summer. It not uncommon to have triple digit temps for a 100 days in a row with 90% humidity. In So cal you can probably live without it. I did; but I was younger and more tolerant then. Yes, you can adapt, but why? This is America and we are spoiled. If you lived in the south/midwest and have a job where you have to look nice then you might not want to show up all hot and sweating in a wrinkled suit and wind blown hair.

[johnnywishbone]

my 930, the ac is in the trash. i didn't like it. i've spent a lot of time in jungle and desert areas. if i stay out of air conditioned places as much as possible, i acclimate faster.
especially in the desert, i drink a lot of beer. large quantities of hard liquor, which i really prefer, have terrible consequences. for me at least. i did pipeline and geothermal plants in the summer in the mojave and california high desert. some arabia. never had any problems.

[vracer]

Originally Posted by EMJ

My car is a daily driver and the summers in Northern Virginia are extremely hot and humid. I just literally got back from getting my AC serviced after 3 years of open window air conditioning. Thought I had some major evaporator or hose leaks, turned out I only had a leak in the compressor fittings. Replaced the fittings and I'm back in business. Cold air and I switched to 134a. Gonna be a good summer!

I hope you have a good summer, but I wouldn't expect it to be a cold one unless you changed hoses too. The particle size of 134 is much smaller than R12 & oozes right through stock hoses.

[wwest]

Originally Posted by jurhip

Well, I just removed my AC. Some of the hoses were bad and I don't use it enough to justify buying replacements right now. I read a lot of posts on AC in these cars and have a question based on them.

What did people do before AC was prevalent? Why do some feel it is needed when people have driven without AC for ages.

I know it is nice in hot climates, but I just don't see the point given how I use my car.

QUIETNESS..!!

Without A/C you either lowered the windows or turned the blower to the high noise level.

[j911brick]

Originally Posted by vracer

I hope you have a good summer, but I wouldn't expect it to be a cold one unless you changed hoses too. The particle size of 134 is much smaller than R12 & oozes right through stock hoses.

Where did you hear this? I have converted several cars without a problem.

[80-911SC]

we have barrier hoses is what i have heard and they by nature have "holes" in them ... do a search on it and you will see what they are talking about ....

You can't just purge these systems with 134a and go ..... alot of history on this matter ...

[aircooledmagic]

I've had my 911 for almost 7 years, and the a/c to be honest on my 1984 Carrera is very weak to say the least. Summer months in Sydney can get to 43 degrees celsius which is approx 105 farenheight, its blows cool air, but still sweat, and if stuck in traffic with the a/c on does tend to overheat... I've been told that on these cars the a/c was an afterthought, and the plumbing has such a long distance to travel, and so close to the hot ground that it goes warm very fast...I've left the a/c in the car, but never use it...windows and sunroof open for me .

[j911brick]

Originally Posted by 80-911SC

we have barrier hoses is what i have heard and they by nature have "holes" in them ... do a search on it and you will see what they are talking about ....

You can't just purge these systems with 134a and go ..... alot of history on this matter ...

Mine has been working for almost 10 years now with no problems. Probably start leaking any moment now though - right?


I'm sure the Porsche engineers were sitting around one day designing the A/C and said: "Lets use A/C hose with holes in it so it will leak". That makes sense.

I've heard all the arguments and I think its internet BS.

[wwest]

I suspect that the cause of refrigerant leaking from one year to the next is due to the lack of a high pressure compressor cutoff. The OEM compressor may have self-inflected, mechanical, pressure limiting capability but for those that have installed a compressor upgrade...?

[Nick Triesch]

I fixed my A/C in my 85 carrera. When it's hot, I use it. You would be dumb not to if it works! I have it working great but it is still like blowing warm air over an ice cube. But if you direct it right on your face, it feels really good when it's 90 outside. I also use the cup holder from our host that goes in the cig lighter. If I go on a 200 mile trip...I like this stuff. But the guy above me was right, wing windows were great! You could aim them right on you and be cool the entire trip!!

[5String43]

What Neel said. Maybe we just never knew any better.