Success; AC in FL

[carreradpt]

Decided to convert my 85 stock R12 system to 134 and purchase the equipment to do it myself. Purchased the Kuehl reliability package; hoses, evap, front condenser, hi/low switch, r/d and new denso. I also purchased a gauge set, vacuum pump, refrigerant scale and 30lb tank. I pulled the rear condenser and flushed it w/AC Pro flush. So basically an entirely new AC system. The directions were excellent and the install went very well. Then when pulling a vacuum I had a leak that I just could not find. I spent hrs looking for it; replaced O-rings, pressurized the system w/shop air at 100psi and soapy water, removed the comp and checked the manifold O-rings again, checked and rechecked all connections. Thought well maybe I didn't dry the moisture from my rear condenser completely, so pulled it again and had it pressure tested and dryed thoroughly. No go. Then I borrowed a gas sniffer. Damn. Should have done that first. A Johnson Controls RLD-H10G universal service leak detector found my leak in about 2 minutes. Because I had the system opened so long and thought I had overdone my drier, I had purchased another. The problem was the sight glass. Never pulled the sight glass cap off because I wasn't intending to use it. There is a hex nut under the cap that was loose. Never thought to look under that. Damn.

Followed Kuehl evac and fill procedures to the letter and I have got cold AC in Florida in the summer with a stock system (of course all new parts). Temp 91*, humidity 65%, 25 low 230 high and 39 ozs of 134. I also have good window tinting incl/windshield Llumar Air Blue clear sun protection.

I took lots of pics of hose routes thru the hidden spots and the general areas for later reference. The Kuehl products seemed to be well made, fit perfectly, the hoses were the correct length and the clocking of the fittings were fine. And great directions!

It was an interesting learning experience dealing with this system and the help from the forums was instrumental in completing this. And thanks for your patience Griff. Couple of pics of the evap before and purely gratuitous pic.

[tirwin]

Nice!

Very satisfying, isn't it?

[carreradpt]

Hell yeah! Not only do I have cold AC, I also had the opportunity to clean up places in that car I didn't know existed. Very fulfilling job. Of course having AC (mini-split) in the garage for the grunt work didn't hurt either.

[Tippy]

This thread is worthless without delta data and vent temps.

[zippy_gg]

Need to see your "after" pictures, especially the evap in the smuggler's box!

[GH85Carrera]

Great AC is a wonderful thing. I was at a local autocross yesterday in my 85 Carrera. My car was sitting in full sun all day on black asphalt. It was 98 and humid. It was HOT!

I loaded up my stuff, cranked up the AC and got into a HOT car with engine temp of 210. My drive home was just 15 minutes long and I stopped sweating and that AC sure felt great.

Ain't it a great feeling to do it yourself and have a car that is drivable all summer!

Congrats of "fixing" your lack of AC.

[carreradpt]

When I solved my leak issue I then put in 10 psi of gas and let it sit overnight. It held. I then started Kuehls process to fill. I vacuumed that and filled again to 10 psi and then vacuumed for 2 hrs. At approx. 10am and 91* in my garage I attached my 30 pounder (gas only charge) and initially w/motor off it too only 4 ozs. I started the engine and it then sucked up 28 more in no time. But as my pressures passed 275 I realized I had my decklid up. Whoops. Closed it and my pressures immediately dropped and stabilized. I didn't have my camera close as all of this happened quickly and I was looking at the directions. At 33ozs my vent temps were high 30's and pressures were 225 or so. So I added a bit more and I saw 30* at the vents and I shut down the gas. Happy with that. Unfortunately I didn't snap any pics of the gauges. I took a drive today, 30 min each way in 94 and muggy as hell and no sweaty shirt for me. Yeah baby!! This is my after evaporator shot and another gratuitous engine shot.

[Tippy]

30*?! Nice!

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

Need to see your "after" pictures, especially the evap in the smuggler's box!

Watch out there , bub, or Im'ma post a pic of mine . . . again!

Sweet results, Dan, and I can relate to how awesome it is to drive a vintage 911/930 in hotass weather with a frosty cabin!

Cory, do you have a serious case of shrinkage envy, yet?!?!?!

[Arne2]

Good job! Yes, it is nice to have working A/C in a 911. And there are more and more of us enjoying that these days.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Watch out there , bub, or Im'ma post a pic of mine . . . again!

What? You got pictures of your evap?

[r-mm]

Nice work! Is it crass to ask what all that added up to?

[Tippy]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Cory, do you have a serious case of shrinkage envy, yet?!?!?!

Shrinkage? I want inverted!

[NathanR]

Did you add an extra condenser ?

33+ oz?

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by r-mm

Nice work! Is it crass to ask what all that added up to?

It all varies. Griffith's will quote you a system for your needs in your car. It is not cheap but it is high quality and it simply works as it should.

Check out his web site and request a quote. No more guess work. My system was right at $2,000 all in.

The one universal comment every one of his customers will agree on is that the product is very high quality components and the instructions are fantastic and he included every single part you will need. Just add labor.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

very high quality components and the instructions are fantastic and he included every single part you will need. Just add labor.

Totally agree!! I just added a hurricane blower motor since mine was on its last leg. Super easy to install, great instructions with photos. Bonus: the thing works a charm.

Certainly not a waste of money!

[matthewb0051]

I just noticed the bracket from the blower cover to inside the smuggler's box. Did you add that yourself?

[Jesse16]

My 87 has that little bracket, think its stock.

[ganun]

Originally Posted by carreradpt

Yeah baby!! This is my after evaporator shot and another gratuitous engine shot.

Nice pictures, (especially the bird, did you take it!) , and write up. Kuehl's technique to use a bit of 134 to absorb and flush out any remaining air in the system is seems to me is worth remembering. Also, I see no heater blower, did you get the blank off piece to cover the left side shroud outlet?
BTW I have no heat at all, in MIA, its just clutter in the engine compartment, because of headers....I did make a small plate to close off the hole in the sheet metal.

[carreradpt]

Originally Posted by NathanR

Did you add an extra condenser ?

33+ oz?

Hi Nathan. No not yet. I wanted to see what the "stock" system would do in this heat here (FL). It's not a daily driver and I prefer windows down driving but the wife won't drive in the thing if it's stinkin hot and I want to take the pcar.