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Virginia Rocks!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Just outside the beltway
Posts: 8,497
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A/C Testing and/or Removal Questions
When I bought my 83SC eight years ago, the PO had paid thousands of dollars to get it running right. In the few times I used it, it seemed to be near worthless. I'd either roll with the windows down or drive a different car if it was too hot.
Yesterday, it was about 102° and I went to an autocross. On the way back, I turned the a/c on (with the windows still open) just to see if it blew any cool air. It blew hot. I haven't done anything with the a/c except turn it on and off for a few minutes every once in a while. Not regularly like the 101 Projects book recommends. I know turning it on for a 102° day was asking a lot of a lousy system, but how do I determine if it actually works? And on the cheap...no dyes, pressure testing or recharging. Second, I'm figuring if it has all leaked out, I might as well remove it from the car. I saw a fellow at the track with an older 911 and the next time I saw him, the whole rear was jacked up. He claimed it was from removing the compressor. Sounds ridiculous, right? Anyway, I was thinking that if I pulled it all out, I don't want to have to get the ride height set again. I know it's heavy but by that much?
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Rosewood 1983 911 SC Targa | Black 1990 944 S2 | White 1980 BMW R65 | Past: Crystal 1986 944 na Guards Red is for the Unoriginal
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Banned
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Wet Side
Posts: 5,675
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Quote:
If the guy spent thousands to get the system going, then he must have replaced a LOT of stuff. I can't see why you wouldn't go the last $500 to make sure the system is in good shape and ready for years of very cold air production. So here are two thoughts: 1.) Figure out what the guy put in, ask in here what those parts might bring on the used market, and sell them in the parts section so you have some extra cash. (Tear out the whole system.) This will decrease the resale value of the car some, for some potential buyers. 2.) Figure out what the guy put in, then call Charlie Griffiths to have him help you get the system actually working - and not just working for this year, but next year and the year after that... Which *increases* resale value for those same potential buyers. The first way puts some money in your pocket and reduces the weight of the car, and you're no worse off than you were before in a climate-control sense. The second way means you can drive the car on the days where you might have taken "the other car" because of the AC choice. |
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RETIRED
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My 83 came with an aftermarket A/C. The R-12 refrigerant is expensive (now) due to the EPA rules and R-134 wasn't something I wanted to deal with at the time.
I found that the installed non-barrier hoses leak. Back in 83, R-12 was cheap and most people didn't mind recharging every summer. I yanked it all out....I didn't live in an area that got that hot. The fix is replacing the hoses with modern barrier type, fixing any leaks and converting the non-compatible components to ones that can tolerate R-134.
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1983/3.6, backdate to long hood 2012 ML350 3.0 Turbo Diesel |
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AC fan speed switch turned CW. AC Thermostat switch turned CW. Open engine deck lid, exam outer hub of compressor clutch, if it is turning in unison with the pulley then the compressor "might" be pumping. Close engine deck lid. Open front trunk. Pull back carpets to expose Smugglers Trap Door. Open the door. Exam the evaporator outlet pipe, it should be sweating to cold. Exam the hose leading to the expansion valve, it should be warm to hot. These are just simple 'checks' for a normally functioning system. Quote:
York compressor for an SC... about 20 lbs Deck lid condenser... about 7 lbs Total for SC parts here about 42 lbs max Total for a Carrera about 33 lbs max. (all numbers are conservative + side). Sounds imaginatively interesting. I'd say the lift was the result of liposuction. |
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Virginia Rocks!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Just outside the beltway
Posts: 8,497
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Quote:
That's great advice. The kind of thing I was looking for. My regular cars sweat like a beast when it's hot. I never thought of checking for that (or where) on the 911. Quote:
Yeah seemed a little odd to me as well.
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Rosewood 1983 911 SC Targa | Black 1990 944 S2 | White 1980 BMW R65 | Past: Crystal 1986 944 na Guards Red is for the Unoriginal
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Fleabit peanut monkey
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I drove comfortably in my 81 with windows rolled up from Charlotte to Akron yesterday with my Griffith's Tech rotary compressor and suction side barrier hose he sold me in the late 1990's. The rest is stock except for a recent receiver dryer. System is fully charged with R12.
That was highway speed and it was maybe 90 degrees. Had to turn the blower down in the mountains. I also lost cool air because of Targa leaks. The system can be made to work. It may not be comfortable at 100 degrees in city traffic but it will blow cold if functioning. |
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Comment from a client this morning....
Has a 1988, 930, Black Top Convertible, driving in Georgia: "Works great....104 degrees out..but low humidity....38 at vent. This is a black convertable...so not bad. Thanks, B.E." Installed: Kuehl 930 Serpentine Deck Lid Condenser Kuehl Rear Serpentine Fender Condenser Kuehl Rev 1 Serpentine Front Condenser Kuehl Barrier Hose set with low-high pressure switch Kuehl Drier Kuehl Variable Speed Fan Controller Kuehl Evaporator Kuehl Center Vent Charged with R134a |
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The diabolicalist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Hopefully S. FL soon!
Posts: 52
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Quote:
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My junk: 1988 3.2 Targa- Damn near option-less! Crawl with me into tomorrow or I'll drag you to your grave. I'm deep inside your children... they'll betray you in my name!! |
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Dave Black 1985 911 Carrera M491 |
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 3,590
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Nobody said comfort was going to be cheap
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1973 911S (since new) RS MFI specs 1991 C2 Turbo |
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Banned
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Wet Side
Posts: 5,675
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In technical terms, a metric buttload.
Here's the deal: The stuff is high quality, and the support is top-notch. You want to be nice and cool on a hot day? Talk to Griff, and buy his stuff if you want to fix it and be done with it. AC is not a system to do piecemeal upgrades to, IMO |
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