Air Conditioner

stargsr · 03-04-2008, 06:20 PM

Hi,

I took my 85 944/2 in to have the air checked. I was told I need a compressor, drier and an expansion device????. They quoted 1795.00. I checked the parts and can buy new on the web for around 400.00. Should I get another quote?

Can anyone verify for me this is real????Yikes.

DMRK · 03-04-2008, 06:38 PM

You can get a remanufactured compressor on ebay for $195+20 to ship.

DMRK · 03-04-2008, 06:42 PM

About another $100 for the other parts then any shop can service it.

many944s · 03-04-2008, 06:56 PM

TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!
I would like to know how the shop tested your expansion valve if your compressor isn't functioning! Unless their price of refrigerant has gone up to $400/lb, they are trying to take advantage of you!

Even if I do a complete conversion (R-12 to R-134a) at my shop the parts are around $375-450. Plus about 4 hours labor. An hour of that is just to remove the old oil from the lines to prep it for the conversion. (Plus $50/lb of 134)

Most of the time, I still try to repair the old R-12 systems as they cool much better. Personally, I would get a new compressor, leak-check the system, and re-charge it with R-12 (or equiv). A good A/C shop will be able to pump the system down to a hard vacuum to check for a leak, then charge the system with R-12 with a UV die. Sometimes a leak is so small that holding a vacuum on the system for even 15 minutes wont show. With the die, if the system stops cooling, it is easy to find a leak. Likewise, if the expansion valve is malfunctioning they can recover the R-12 to replace the valve.

Good luck!
-Nick

stargsr · 03-04-2008, 07:19 PM

Hi,

Thanks so much for the feedback. I cannot afford 1800.00 right now. The area I live in can reach 110 degrees in the summer so I really need a/c. Does anyone know of an a/c shop that they could refer me to that won't take advantage of a female????

Thanks again to all

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

I'm embarrassed to say that the first time I had mine done (about 1990 I think) I paid a lot more than that at the Porsche dealer. The new compressor alone was over 1800 then. But things have changed a bit and there are a lot more options now.

What part of the country do you live in? (Makes it easier to recommend a shop if we know what city we are talking about)

stargsr · 03-04-2008, 08:55 PM

Thank you so much. I live in Roseville, Ca. Close to Sacramento, Ca.

Tim Hancock · 03-05-2008, 04:47 AM

I have succesfully rebuilt the compressor in my daughter's '87 924S which had a case leak. There are seal kits available for those Nippondenso's. Did they tell you what was wrong with your compressor?

Scuba Steve · 03-05-2008, 07:08 AM

I think shops charge so much because a/c systems are such a mystery to most people, kind of like an automatic transmission. They really aren't hard to service though once you get or borrow the two special tools needed.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

I don't know of any shops close to you...but there are many folks here from California, so I'm sure you will get some recommendations.

kuehl · kuehl's Garage

Yes, you should get another quote. A typical new aftermarket compressor is around $500-600 with all the right parts. Labor to replace the compressor and recharge the system is typically at least 5 hours X $xxx per hour.

You won't find "new" original equipment compressors for the 944, so that leaves you with remanufactured. The problem with remanufactured compressors for this car is you don't know what they did to "remanufacture" it; you can't economically rebore the cylinders and replace the pistons. Whether your compressor simply needs new seals or is shot requires an experienced rebuilder to determine.

Depending upon what you saw for $400 may mean it "might" cost $400 or it might cost more if all the necessary parts are not included. Then there is the labor issue.

Here are few shops around Sacremento. Give them a call and feel them out.
Its going to be like a doctors visit, "Make and appointment and say ahhhh"
because the shop has to look first hand at the problem. Let them do their thing, give you a written quote and then you can make a better decision.

http://www.ipb-autosport.com/
http://www.fdrmotorsports.com/

Also consider joining the Porsche Club of America. For a few bucks a year you get a monthly magazine, meet lots of great people and direct contact some extra tech support and opinions (alike the forurms): link here for your geographical region
http://www.derporsche.net/

And another link for basic AC troubleshooting:
http://www.griffiths.com/achelp/

Quote:

Originally Posted by stargsr

Hi,

I Should I get another quote?

Can anyone verify for me this is real????Yikes.

TibetanT · TibetanT's Garage

Hello There:

If I were you, living in Sacramento, call PartsHeaven in Hayward. Ask for Spencer or Al and have them get you the parts you need. I am betting those guys can get you the entire A/C setup for under $400.00 AND be able to tell you who to take the car to for the work. To install the A/C system should be right around 1.5 hours or less, so figure another $150.00 max.

There are a few Very good Porsche shop in the Bay Area...like in Campbell, CA.

That's what I would do!

Hope this helps and good luck. If you need more help or advise, post here again or Email me.