air compressor

[porwanabe]

86 944 n/a

Need to remove air compressor. As I am reading haynes there are flags all over the place to have shop perform de-pressurizing.
Can I do this myself. if so how? How can I check the pressure. Car has been sitting 1.5 years. Does not blow cold air of any kind. Believe air compressor bearing shot. Very very noisy. Using the old long screw driver to the ear and the compressor, can hear very dry sounding movement.

Once off, can I pull apart and re-grease bearings. Not concerned about AC at the moment. Just trying to eliminate noise. Last thing to do before road worthy.

Things done :
starter
master and slave
new headers
plugs
motor mounts
brakes / complete 4corners
idle sensor

[Moneyguy1]

It is unlawful to vent R12 to the atmosphere. What a shop will do is evacuate the system with a vacuum pump and the R12 is pumped into a special tank to be recycled.

Pump difficult to repair "at home". Better to get a new unit and if you do, consider converting to R134a.

Any other thoughts, guys?

[porwanabe]

Did not think about the legal aspect nor the envirmental. Q. How does one tell if there is anything in the system to begin with. Wondering after 1.5 years of sitting, could everything just leaked out.

[Porsche944]

The bearing cannot be re-packed, so it must be replaced. Just went through this with my 951.

You might be able to get a new bearing here: http://www.griffiths.com/

[Jason Judd]

If it turns out you need/want a new compressor, I just removed the a/c system from my '95 968. I've got the condensor, too.

It's the new refrigerant, too.

E-mail me if you're interested.

Jason
www.flamthrowr@aol.com

[porwanabe]

Why can't the bearings be repacked? Do they repack with rebuilt compressors or just throw them away.

[Porsche944]

The bearings are sealed. In fact, the main pulley bearing is a dual row ball bearing (Two sets off balls and two spiders).

The funny thing is about ball bearings is once they start to make noise, the bearing is toast.

When a bearing gets noisy, it is because either the bearing races, or the rollers/bals/needles are no longer smooth. As these "non'smooth" parts move against each other, the physical damage gets worse until the bearing fails by either locking up, or "hand grenading."

BTW: I spent over 20 years in the US Navy, and during my career I changed bearings on every thing from personal oscillating fans, to 300 KW motor-generator sets. I've worked with high speed "special application" bearings, thrust bearings, main line shaft bearings, rod bearings, crank journal bearings, and every thing in between, and I can say this with absoute certainty: If you can hear or feel the bearing, replace it.

[porwanabe]

thanks for the tips.
Question still out there : can I remove the compressor or do I need to get a shop to pull all of the coolant out of the system. Also can I tell if the coolant has leaked out. Car has been sitting for 1.5 years. Does not blow any cool air at all.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

You can check by getting a pressure gauge (any auto parts store) and checking the pressure on the low side valve. If it's zero, I'd say crack it open. Ain't nothin' left.

[porwanabe]

thanks.
Next question. I have priced new compressors ( ouch ). Read a post about bypassing the compressor all together using a gates belt k050330. Anybody had luck with this. This will by me time till I find another compressor.

[Porsche944]

If you are going to remove the compressor then you need an "A/C Delete" bracket. This piece replaces the Alternator and A/C Compressor bracket and positions the alternator so you can use a shorter drive belt.

[Lawrence Coppari]

Did you check how much a Sanden costs? Installed one of them a couple of years ago and have been quite pleased.

[Roger Hall]

Note from an amature: There are many more prople her with experience so take this with a grain of salt.

I have never heard of anyone rebuilding a compressor. I would just buy a new one.

The clutch on the front can be replaced on most cars. I am not sure about the Porsche. The clutch is operated by an electrical switch and engages the compressor. If the clutch is bad the compressor wont work.

As for the R12 I doubt there is any left. I wouldnt worry about taking it to a shop.

If the compressor goes it has a habbit of badly contaminating the system. You will need to flush the system and replace the receiver dyrer.

As for R134 its easy to use and simple to get. It will not work as well though. In Florida when I lived there on a 98 degree day there was not enough air for me. If I had to share the vents with a passenger it was hot. Below 85 degrees there was enough air for two people. Since you live in Virgina R134 may work well enough. I would suggest converting to R134.

R12 you can still get it for a reasonable price $30 per lb. If you take a test (available on line) and become certified. I have seen R12 on Ebay all the time. However if you go to a shop for R12 they may charge anywhere from $90-$200 per lb.

Post back on what you decide, hope this helps

[porwanabe]

Lots of info and still more questions :

1) anybody got a model # for a sanden that fits the 86/44/n/a
I have found many sandens but can not reference a model # for the 944.

[Porsche944]

Originally posted by porwanabe
Lots of info and still more questions :

1) anybody got a model # for a sanden that fits the 86/44/n/a
I have found many sandens but can not reference a model # for the 944.

This is the place: http://www.griffiths.com/

[Jason Judd]

The one I took off my '95 968 is R134A...not sure if my unit would work for you, but, we just removed the a/c system from my car since it's for the track.

We did the delete bracket as mentioned...makes for nice room to put in the cold air intake, too.

If you're interested in it let me know.

Jason

[porwanabe]

Will be try Giffiths on Tuesday.
I removed the belt ( existing ) and put on the new belt that just goes around the crank and the alternator. Fits perfectly. Belt was a gates k050330. Everything working just fine. I will keep eye on to make sure. Belt cost 7$. Ran car for 1hr and no issues at the moment.
In the process of new rotors, pads, and possible calibers at the moment. Once that is done, tie rods and then the timing belts. Hopefully that will be it.

I did price the a/c delete bracket but found for another 100 I can almost get a rebuilt a/c compressor. I am going for the ac compressor.

if anybody as any sites for ac compressors other than griffiths let me know. They were not open today nor does their web site provide pricing. found one in Texas but they have not returned the phone call.
Thanks

[mattdavis11]

Would that happen to be in Conroe, Texas? I know them very well.

[porwanabe]

found this site " blendair.com". Irving texas. Need to talk with them on tuesday. Had 'Very" good pricing on compressors. Need to find out more.

[mattdavis11]

Funny, I know them too. I was raised in Irving. They did fine work rebuilding my high side pressure hose. They have all kinds of compressors, rows and rows, shelf after shelf. They also rebuild them on premise. You are in good hands.