951 a/c trouble

carsonmx114 · 07-16-2009, 06:01 PM

I replaced the a/c compressor on my car this spring after only driving it now and then in the winter for the last five years because the air was broken. It worked great for a couple of months and then I noticed it wasn't as cold as it was to start with. I have 200+ psi on the high side so I'm pretty sure the compressor is ok. I changed the drier and the air didn't get any cooler. So then I decide to go for the expansion valve. I've ordered two from online parts stores and one off ebay and have yet to get the right one. I called my nearest porsche dealer yesterday and they say that going by part number the last one I got should fit. To make matters worst they say that according to my vin number my car didn't come with a/c. I've seen aftermarket a/c systems and I don't think I've got one in my car. I'm going to try to attach a picture of what is suppose to be the correct part next to the part that came off my car. I left the part at work so I don't have the number with me, it begins in 944 and ends with 201 00 if I remember correctly. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Zero10 · 07-17-2009, 08:01 AM

They aren't always right about the options your car came with. Since its an 86 951 A/C would be standard on it. Likely they didn't see it listed as an option and said it came without as a result.

What is the low side pressure when it is running? What are the ambient and vent temperatures?

I have never replaced an expansion valve on a 944 A/C system so I can't speak from experience here, but looking at the pictures the one on the left needs to be rotated to fit properly. I don't know if they will not function properly if installed backwards but it appears that they mean for it to be installed in that orientation.

kdjones2000 · kdjones2000's Garage

+1

Orient it like the one of the right. If you have enough clearance it looks like it should work....

carsonmx114 · 07-17-2009, 06:20 PM

Thanks for your input guys, that makes sense that because a/c was standard on my car it wouldn't be listed as an option. The valve has to go on a certain way, if you look at the one off my car it has an arrow on the input side. Also the treads are different sizes on each end. My low side was around 50psi, the air coming out of the vents was around 70 degrees. But the main reason I was told to replace the valve is that when I'd turn off the engine the high and low side gauges would not equalize. I think I have room for the new valve but the input side is a short hard line that goes out through the firewall. I'm not sure it would be a good idea to try to bend this line to use the replacement part. Thanks again for your help.