AC Issues Can anybody help??

[Mouse]

Hey all, I'll make this quick. (I hope)
When I bought the car (83 944) the PO gave me all receipts including one from the AC shop. They recharged the system and checked for leaks and gave it the good to go. However the AC has never ran cool. I thought it was because the Heater control valve was broke so I replaced it but it did not cure my AC problem. This is what I know:
1 The compressor works.
2 I checked the freon level and it is fine.
3 I am not geting cool air.

Now with that being said.....The air that comes through the vents when the AC is on is the same temp as the outside air. Is there a connection here? So I dont know what to think. SO what I am hoping for is one of you AC gurus to help me out. Anybody????
Thanx for your help! (And please help because it is getting awfully warm here!)
Mouse
83 944

[p0r2chby]

bump

[Cebu]

The expansion valve is probably the faulty part(however, receiver dryer installed backwards exhibit the same symptoms). The expansion valve is accessed by removing the wiper blade and removing the plastic cover over the blower motor(below and fwd of the windshield, under the hood.)It is a standard A/C expansion valve no need to get a Porsche specific valve. The A/C tubing putty can be purchased at most auto partts stores. Do a search hear for "expansion valve" ther were once, detailed instructions on removal and replacement of the expansion valve, located in the area of the blower motor on the right side.

[Mouse]

Thanx Cebu, I'll check that out.

[mideastmafia]

i have the EXACT same problem.


SHAUN

[mike944]

Before you go discharging and opening up your AC system (which would be required if the dryer is in fact the bad part) take a look at this:

there is some kind of vacuum actuated flapper door inside the ventilation system that is opened when the AC is turned on to re-direct air through the AC evaporator, instead of through the heater core. If this door is sticking closed, no air will flow through the evaporator. The door on my '84 gets stuck sometimes when the car is parked for a long time (winter storage) and when i first turn the AC on, sometimes it takes 10 sec. or longer before it flips. Until then, i get no cold air.

unfortunately i can't tell you exactly where this door is, because mine has always worked eventually, so i've never had to repair it.

when you first turn the AC on, you should be able to hear the vacuum actuator moving the door, and the door poping open. If you can't hear anything, i'd check that first. I know there is a vacuum actuator for the climate control system right under a panel right next to the driver's leg. 2 screws should remove that panel, and you should see the actuator. I don't know if that's the correct actuator but it's an easy one to check. if it's not moving when you turn the AC on and off, move it with your fingers, and see if cold air comes out.

If you need more info, i'll check my car when i get home tonight.

Mike

[scottewid]

When you say the compressor is working, I assume that means you can see it turning when on, versus just the clutch freewheeling when off?

If the compressor is indeed turning, the only way to diagnose it is to hook up gauges and get pressures. Your low side pressure should be between 20 and 40 psi, and high side should be between 150-220 psi, depending upon outside air temp. Without getting pressures, anything else is a shot in the dark. If you don't have gauges, take it to an a/c shop. It literally takes 60 seconds to hook up the gauges and get pressures, so they should do this for a very minimal charge.

A quick and dirty check without gauges is to touch the high and low side lines when the system is running. They're aluminum tubes running along the engine compartment by the driver's side fender. The fatter one is the low side and it should be cool-cold and the thin one is high side and should be warm-hot. If they're both the same as outside air temp when running, either the compressor is not turning or it's shot, or the expansion valve is bad (high side should still be hot if bad expansion valve). If they are cold/hot, then your blender door may be the culprit. Check to make sure the vacuum hose leading the the vacuum resevoir bottle behind the battery under the windshield is hooked up. This line controls the blender door. My 84 had this disconnected when I bought it and would blow cold. When I reconnected it, everything was fine.

Good luck.

[Mouse]

Ok then.....I think this may be getting out of my league. I feel a phone call to the local AC shop is in order. Thanks guys for your help, I really do appreciate it.
I have done a lot work on this car:
Motor mounts
Intake gaskets
New belts
New interior
New tires
New clutch
New wiring harness
and a bunch of little things to make the car perfect. The only thing left is the AC and once that is cured....a perfect 83 944.
Once again thanx!
Mouse
Vancouver Wa.
83/944

[Pinseekers]

If you still have the a/c problem, you might want to check the November 2000 issue of Excellence magazine.
They had almost the same issue and they walk you through finding the problem. In this case it was a little 50 cent plastic clip that broke inside the control box.
If you can't locate the magazine I can try to scan and post the pages or even mail it if you want. Hope this helps!!

[Pinseekers]

duplicated & deleted

[This message has been edited by Pinseekers (edited 07-11-2001).]