Need Recommendation or Help in San Diego for A/C

[zoltan944]

This is actually for my 944, but competent people are competent people right?

Short story:
car blows cold with R134 conversion
Compressor springs a leak and condensor gets a rock in it
replace condensor and compressor
(was in a pinch in Vegas and needed to get back to SD) go to a 'shop' and evacs and fill but nothing and he 'isn't sure what the problem is'

Ive been putting this off and thinking, and I think it needs another evac and fill from someone with some knowledge of cars like these, instead of corollas.

I put in a new dryer, so I am ready to try it out. If anyone has the gauge set and a vacuum pump etc that could get together with me, you would be awesome. If you know a shop I will get taken care of, thats good too. At a shop I would definantly like to leave with A/C working or a diagnosis or WHY its not. i wish I had a budget to drop it off and get whatever, but I don't in fact I am motivated to fix the AC to sell it to have a budget

thanks guys

[morriss]

Leo? Mike? Any suggestions for shops?

[zoltan944]

Originally Posted by morriss

Leo? Mike? Any suggestions for shops?

I know right? No one ever in San Diego has ever needed A/C work?

[MPDano]

I've only taken my car to ******** Stebel in El Cajon for some other work that I was not completely satisfied with. All other work on my car has been myself. Let me ask the PCA Club Forum and see what they come up with.

[Mrmerlin]

there is a good chance the expansion valve has gotten plugged, make sure to add new oil to the compressor and an 1oz additional for each new part replaced.
Google 928 keepers read up on A/C system workings

[zoltan944]

Stan,
is there a way to test the expansion valve? Will the strong vacuum pull unclog it? The part is like $100. The manual says there is a low pressure reading if its bad. I guess im kinda hoping that with what I got and what i changed IF the AC doesn't work after evac and fill that the guy will know what it needs. Or I could just drive it to Colorado and get it done

[american-kiwi]

if the valve is working..then it should be freezing cold right at the outlet line from the valve to the evaporator (a/c heater box)...because the liquid 134 is buiding up in that line from the dryer to the valve...and if there is a small amount getting out (valve opening)...thats where the pressure drop is...then the liquid turns to a gas and freezes up...feel all the lines...the line from the A/C pump to the condenser should be hot.....all lines after the expansion valve should be ice cold...so feel the line going into the pump...ice cold?....if not...then that side is where the problem is...and also for the line coming out of the pump...should be very hot...if not..problem with the pump...the pump has 2 jobs...heat up the 134, and pressurize it,...hope that helps you a little...i work on corolla's all day...LOL (toyota tech)
PS...did he top up the a/c oil?....both for the pump and the condenser...every part of the system has a set amount of oil in it
if you hook up the pressure gauges
the high side (red) is should read about 220-330psi at 90f outside...the low side (blue) should be around 15-25psi

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by american-kiwi

if the valve is working..then it should be freezing cold right at the outlet line from the valve to the evaporator (a/c heater box)...because the liquid 134 is buiding up in that line from the dryer to the valve...and if there is a small amount getting out (valve opening)...thats where the pressure drop is...then the liquid turns to a gas and freezes up...feel all the lines...the line from the A/C pump to the condenser should be hot.....all lines after the expansion valve should be ice cold...so feel the line going into the pump...ice cold?....if not...then that side is where the problem is...and also for the line coming out of the pump...should be very hot...if not..problem with the pump...the pump has does jobs...heat up the 134, and pressurize it,...hope that helps you a little...i work on corolla's all day...LOL (toyota tech)
PS...did he top up the a/c oil?....both for the pump and the condenser...every part of the system has a set amount of oil in it
if you hook up the pressure gauges
the high side (red) is should read about 220-330psi at 90f outside...the low side (blue) should be around 15-25psi

Thanks, this is really good info on troubleshooting. When I was charging mine, the pipe was cold but eventually got a little warmer and then wasn't cold anymore. It does hold with no leaks. I was thinking my Vacuum Solenoids were not working correctly, but maybe I am looking in the wrong place.

[zoltan944]

Here is a bit lengthier write up on that info posted as well as some pics and some trouble shooting diagrams:

http://clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/hvac-02.htm

[MPDano]

Hey Zoltan,

The PCA (Porsche Club of America) here in San Diego is recommending Black Forest.

Here is a quote of PCA Member response:

Black Forest recently repaired my AC (which required passenger side under dash rebuild). I'm 100% satisfied.

They have a website. Worth a quick call and see what it would cost to diagnose.

http://blackforestautomotive.com/

8066 Engineer Road
San Diego, CA 92111
TEL: 858.292.1192

[american-kiwi]

http://clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/hvac-02.htm

are these settings and reading using R12 or R134 ?....because they will differ....R12 runs a lot colder than R134

[zoltan944]

its general because it will also differ what you car was originally equipped to use

[zoltan944]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Hey Zoltan,

The PCA (Porsche Club of America) here in San Diego is recommending Black Forest.

Here is a quote of PCA Member response:



They have a website. Worth a quick call and see what it would cost to diagnose.

http://blackforestautomotive.com/

8066 Engineer Road
San Diego, CA 92111
TEL: 858.292.1192

Thanks for the info. I got a recomendation from Luan to go see Raul at Miramar Cooling. I don't want to get into the length of my problems that it appears that I have but I am beyond satisfied and happy.
I came hope to pull out my own expansion valve and such to go back tomorrow and do more flushing and hope its ready to go. Ill keep black forrest in mind in the future tho

[MPDano]

Zoltan, so whats the final verdict on SD Shops. Did you get your issue resolved and got good info to pass along?

[zoltan944]

Yes, I had good luck with Miramar Cooling off of Miramar road. Since they were recommended to me from another memeber they became pretty familiar with the 928s and 944s plus a good shop with very reasonable prices. They fill up quick on space tho.

I ended up getting the 'second' half of my AC project done at Eskimo Cooling in El Cajon. They are awesome and old school. Both places do R12 and R134 and familiar with both as well as any conversion related info.

I was happy with both and so will anyone else I am sure!

[MPDano]

Excellent! Thanks for finishing off your post. This will benefit us San Diegans and especially since I live in El Cajon, you found an excellent source for me and a couple other East Countians.

[zoltan944]

this also helped Neil on RL as he lives right down from Miramar road, so these 2 places takes care of most of us!

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by zoltan944

Yes, I had good luck with Miramar Cooling off of Miramar road. Since they were recommended to me from another memeber they became pretty familiar with the 928s and 944s plus a good shop with very reasonable prices. They fill up quick on space tho.

I ended up getting the 'second' half of my AC project done at Eskimo Cooling in El Cajon. They are awesome and old school. Both places do R12 and R134 and familiar with both as well as any conversion related info.

I was happy with both and so will anyone else I am sure!

Hey Zoltan! How were the prices between the two? I am planning to get some A/C Service done at one of those shops, but the Eskimo one is very close to me.

Also, met Neil, whom gave me his old Compressor. Great guy!