A/C Problem
 

My 944 a/c never did work since I bought the car. The woman told me it just need to be charged. It blows hot air, and I noticed today that the Clutch on the compressor wasnt even spinning. Compressor bad ? maybe a relay ???

Yah, I got my 944 this spring and was told that "it just needs a charge"

3 hours labor, replacement of all the lines and close to $600 later it works great.

Yea, beware of that "it just needs a charge" line. It's a B.S. sales-oriented line to get you to overlook the real problem - why does it need a charge? (Answer, it leaks). Leaks are bad and cost a lot of $$$, but it sounds like you already learned this one.

I heard that line when I bought my car. According to service records, the last mechanic to work on the car concluded there was a blockage in the system, b/c it wouldn't take the full amount of charge. Is this a reasonable conclusion? and if so, how might I approach this problem?

it either leaks, or the Compressor is bad from my experience.

Every used car I have ever bought needed ac work done...and it was always one of those 2. Niether are cheap. The last 944 had a leak and it cost me $500

If it just needed a charge, the PO would have done it already....

Uconn, that's right about the PO doing the recharge. I'm still surprised at how easily that line gets passed over.

It was a Pshop that made the estimate, so they estimated something a bit higher than $500, but being cool isn't that big a deal to me. I'm not experienced with A/C work, but have done a good deal of other work around cars Is leak testing something a big deal, or is it worth the money for a shop to do it?

Yes, that line gets real old looking at used cars. If it was cheap, it would be done. Even in Fairbanks, Alaska it gets hot in the summer. My little brother spent two grand last year on the air in his Suburban. Ouch!
My local Porsche shop (Conaway Motors, Everett, WA) recharged my aircraft carrier (1984 Buick Park Ave) air for $114. $45 for labor $54 for a pound of R12. Back to ice cold from just cool.
They said that most of the time they can retrofit to R134 for about $200 unless major repairs or parts are needed. They said the key was to flush the system to remove all oil and freon before adding new.
Taking the wifes 93 Intrepid up this week for that very thing.
I'll let you know how it goes.