AC sucks

[Dave L]

my AC sucks, I can feel it working but its just barely cool and isnt keeping up. I do know that the AC in a 944 CAN be good as my last car was ice cold.

The PO had it converted to 134a and installed a new receiver/dryer and compressor at that time (2003). I have heard that 134a uses a smaller molecule so is more prone to leak. Is this just a case where I will need a top up or am I looking at major $'s?

[legion]

Just pull it out altogether.

Or...if you must, recharge it.

[Eldorado]

a can of 134 is cheap... but then again, refrigerant doesn't just disappear, so there will be a leak somewhere...

some people have had success with stop leak... most would tell you to run a can of dye through it then try to detect exactly where the leak is and fix it...

either way, because it's already been converted, unless there's some equipment damage, it'll probably relatively cost effective to repair.

[fast924S]

I agree with legion, PULL IT ALL OUT, its like 100lbs of stuff if you can get it all. Then if it gets hot just drive fast with the windows down ;-) You live in Canada, how hot could it get??

[Dave L]

AC wont come out, a dark grey car with a black leather interior needs AC. losing the AC means its a track car and I cant afford to open up that pandoras box.

Besides the PO spent big $'s repairing it. I might try and recharge it myself. I did it with my last car

[Eldorado]

how hot could it get? upwards of 80-85 F tomorrow

[nynor]

i don't use my AC unless its over 90F...

[Aufgeladen944]

I need to have AC in my black/black car. It gets BEASTLY hot in there.

Besides, I roll up the windows when it's 80+. I'm weird; I prefer the cold.

[Zero10]

Yeah, let's all argue about whether he needs it or not :P

I would not use R134a in a 944 ever. I have switched my 951 to HC12 (basically, it's actually Red Tek), all R12 replacements are hydrocarbon refrigerants. They are less flammable than R12 or R134a, cool better, are less harmful for the environment and don't form acids when there is moisture in the system. It's win/win/win. My 951 will just freeze you when you're moving, but due to an idle problem it's dodgy with the A/C in traffic.
I had a couple of 35-38*C days here recently, and driving my 951 the 3km to work I was about ready to turn the A/C off when I got there. Then again, it wasn't parked in the hot sun at the time either.


As for fixing your A/C, check a few things, compressor cycle duration, and look for bubbles at the sight glass. This will give you some preliminary indications of whether your A/C system is fully charged or not. If you suspect it's low take it into a shop to have the pressure checked, if it's leaking they should have a sniffer to find the leak.

Common leak locations: O-rings on the compressor where the lines attach, and under the manifold plate, small holes in the condensor (exposed to rocks and road debris)

[Dave L]

134A wasnt my choice but its what I have. I charged a BMW I had with a R12 compatible and it worked great.

I basically have 2 choices, Ghetto recharge and hope for the best or get it done professionally. Ghetto recharge ($70) will work as the system currently works just not well. My hesitation is that the PO put in the new parts to the tune of $1200 and I would hate to F it up trying to cut corners. I might get a leak test done.

[Eldorado]

leak test. do it.. it wont cost much more than a half hour of labour.. maybe 1 hour...

[924RACR]

I have been very happy with the 134a conversion in my 931 - and it desperately needs it due to the black interior. I really gotta get some tint on those windows.

I was also quite happy with the effectiveness of the 134 conversion on the '87 924S, blew much colder than the 931 ever has, but I think the expansion valve is now clogged, as the refrig won't circulate... time to tear it all back apart and rediagnose...