84 AC actually works!

jhelgesen · 05-28-2012, 04:28 PM

Thanks to Lou and exclusive motor works in Charlotte, I have AC in my carrera working. Never had a working AC system before.

I suspect the system had not been used for years before I got the car. Labels on the engine show it had previously been converted to 134a already. We had to replace one line at the front that had been cut by a lift, and replace the control switches.

Results after vacuum and charging with several new cans of fluid, she was up and cooling again.

Thanks Lou, I can drive my car this summer.

rnln · 05-29-2012, 12:47 AM

So, everything is stock? The question is how long it'll stay cool. Please come back and post result.

markmalin · markmalin's Garage

I'd like to know, too. How well does it work when it's REALLY hot? And how long will the refrigerant stay charged up?

jhelgesen · 05-29-2012, 07:55 AM

Readings were taken on a fully warmed up car on a high humidity 90 degree day, while driving.

We'll see how the leaks go, I'm sure there may be others to fix over time.

scottb · 05-29-2012, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnln

So, everything is stock? The question is how long it'll stay cool. Please come back and post result.

If everything is stock (e.g., non-barrier hoses), it might last a season or so, but eventually the R134a will leak out and vent temps will go up. The only way to keep the system from leaking is to replace the stock hoses with barrier hoses.

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

My prediction exactly!

Doyle

jhelgesen · 05-29-2012, 05:12 PM

Well I predict I'll be driving my car this summer without sweating my ass off. Can't win if you don't enter, I'm glad we got it working.

SoCalSK8r · 05-29-2012, 08:06 PM

Awesome. I need to get my AC running otherwise the wife is unhappy and we drive the 911 less. I am just not too happy about dropping the $2k to completely overhaul it but I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later.

Shadetree930 · 05-30-2012, 08:34 AM

So if it leaks, you just fill it back up again at the start of next season. I don't see the problem here. The dude has working A/C. Beats what I have ...... nada.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadetree930

So if it leaks, you just fill it back up again at the start of next season. I don't see the problem here. The dude has working A/C. Beats what I have ...... nada.

Do you mean like the television commercial where you become the "AC Pro" and just charge it in your driveway with a can? Cold AC just doesn't really work like that.

cashflyer · 05-30-2012, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadetree930

So if it leaks, you just fill it back up again at the start of next season. I don't see the problem here.

This attitude is environmentally irresponsible. Leaking refrigeration systems are the number one preventable contributor to CFC and HCFC in the atmosphere.

This guy should have replaced all of his hoses with teflon lined high pressure hoses, wrapped in stainless shielding. It wouldn't add that much cost to the overall "repair" and would have been a more sound method of getting his AC working again.

Personally, I wouldn't waste my money on fixing one of these old 911 a/c units.
Heck, you may as well just buy one of these:

Shadetree930 · 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott R

Do you mean like the television commercial where you become the "AC Pro" and just charge it in your driveway with a can? Cold AC just doesn't really work like that.

There ya go!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashflyer

This attitude is environmentally irresponsible. Leaking refrigeration systems are the number one preventable contributor to CFC and HCFC in the atmosphere.

Now don't go all PARFY on me with this Global Warming enviro nonsense. There is plenty of ozone left up there, at least enough to last my time on the planet.

(Take a chill pill ya tree huggers, I'm just joking!)

I am just glad the dude has cold A/C without spending an assload of cash.

Neel · 05-30-2012, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalSK8r

Awesome. I need to get my AC running otherwise the wife is unhappy and we drive the 911 less. I am just not too happy about dropping the $2k to completely overhaul it but I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later.

You won't regret doing it!!

Rick V · 05-30-2012, 02:00 PM

Well damn, following the advice of the masses and throwing money at an AC issue didn't do a damn thing. I guess John was right after all. I wish I hada listened to him.

cashflyer · 05-30-2012, 02:11 PM

That's big money for Virginia, and it ain't even the first of the month!

And it shows that you don't even know what you're doing.
You have to have some "bad" money in there first.

jason2guy · 05-30-2012, 02:13 PM

OK i have a stock 81 and i do the exact same thing. 1 can of r12 per season and i have ice cold air. these things heat up and and run ****ty w/the air on in 100 degree temps anyway. wrong car for that application. save urself the headache and get a new toyota if u wanna ride around in the sweltering heat.

rnln · 05-30-2012, 02:20 PM

ok. Similar condition to mine, your description. I am thinking barrier hoses is my next AC project. No, it doesn't last the whole season.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottb

If everything is stock (e.g., non-barrier hoses), it might last a season or so, but eventually the R134a will leak out and vent temps will go up. The only way to keep the system from leaking is to replace the stock hoses with barrier hoses.

rnln · 05-30-2012, 02:21 PM

I was doing that for 2 years. Soon, you will get sick doing it over and over until it won't get that cold anymore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadetree930

So if it leaks, you just fill it back up again at the start of next season. I don't see the problem here. The dude has working A/C. Beats what I have ...... nada.

rnln · 05-30-2012, 02:25 PM

huh? you upgraded your AC to spit out $100 dollar bills?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick V

Well damn, following the advice of the masses and throwing money at an AC issue didn't do a damn thing. I guess John was right after all. I wish I hada listened to him.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2guy

OK i have a stock 81 and i do the exact same thing. 1 can of r12 per season and i have ice cold air. these things heat up and and run ****ty w/the air on in 100 degree temps anyway. wrong car for that application. save urself the headache and get a new toyota if u wanna ride around in the sweltering heat.

It was 92 here in Saturday and I was driving around running errands for hours with my AC on. The newer compressors do not gave the draw of factory stuff, it makes the 911 the same as driving around in the Toyota.