time to put the AC belt back on
 

AC was working a year ago but not 6 months ago. Was updated to latest coolant, everything looks new and was constantly fixed (FL car). I suspect it has a leak and just needs coolant (that's where I am starting anyway). Can someone please tell me how to check coolant level. Haynes manual has nothing about AC.

Any education is appreciated. Has stuff under the front of the car, in the left front wheel well, compressor in the rear (of course) and stuff across the rear deck lid. Any of this redundant associated with the coolant upgrade?

Thanks,

89 Carrera

Damn, no AC experts here. Will dig out the owners manual and see if there is anything

CM

Specialized tools to read pressure in the system. Yes, 911 A/C components are spread around the car and tucked in any available spaces.. Coolant change would not introduce new components.

Oh , there are plenty of folks that know the ins and outs of Porsche R-12 AC systems. I for one have all the certs, gasses and tools. You asked an ambiguous set of questions and I suspect some, myself included, did not want to type for 30 min trying to answer a wrong question. "latest coolant" can be 134-A or some propane / ?? mix or some hot shot stuff. Unless you know what is in the system and if it has any charge left you are shouting into a hole.

Owners manu will direct you to Porsche Service.

I am no expert but have always done my own AC work, and can offer a few tips.
You first need to determine what you have, an original r12 system, or an upgraded r134 system. If the compressor and lines are original to the car there is little hope of getting it to work well, and no chance of it holding a charge with r134. Aparently the molecules in r134 are much smaller than r12 and will weep through the original hoses. "Griffiths" and "Kool" offer complete packages to upgrade to r134 that work well, and perform better than OE. I suggest you post a pic of your compressor and a close up of the fittings on the compressor as this will help determine what you have. This will get you started.

If you intend to do this yourself you will need a few things.
A set of AC gauges. I bought a cheap set at harbor freight on sale for $30.
A vacuum pump. I bought one online for $60 (10 years go)
A couple cans of the appropriate refrigerant.
You will also need to know the capacity of the system. I believe the Griffiths manual reveals the capacity for the stock system.

Other stuff
If you need r12, it has been out of production for a very long time, and thus it is very expensive. Many old car guys have a few cans lying around but if you can get them to part with a can or two it will cost you.

The basic process is as follows.
If there is refrigerant remaining in the system have a professional recover it.
Hook up your new vacuum pump to your new gauges and pull a vacuum on the system. Let the vacuum pump run for several hours, best to run it overnight.
Close the valve on your gauge and assure that the system maintains the vacuum. (not leaking).
If not leaking you can fill the system with the proper amount refrigerant from the manual.

Post up a few pics of your compressor, compressor fittings, and perhaps a pic if your evaporator in the smugglers box, and I suspect you may get some additional help.

Offered up for general reference

1) https://www.hagerty.com/articles-vid...ir-conditioner

2) https://www.hagerty.com/articles-vid...ur-vintage-car

3) https://www.hagerty.com/articles-vid...16_HagertyNews

Thanks everyone,

The AC has been gone through repeatedly (Professionally) the last few years. Educated guess its on R134. Hoses and everything looks shiny and new.

1. replaced a missing bolt on the compressor. Were three now there are four. Had the exact needed bolt in my box of bolts (things that make you go hmm).
2. Bought a can of R134 at the auto parts store. Hooked it up and gage on the can read zero. Followed instructions and empted the entire can (big can but not the biggest) into the system. Gage read yellow but can was empty. AC works OK now. Will add more R134 next time I am in the parts store and get the gage in the green. Hopefully it,s not leaking.

I dont know which parts of the AC are original to the car or have since been bypassed or replaced. It had factory AC.

Chris
89 Carrera

Chris, chances are it is leaking. if nothing else, the hoses are leaking. At least if you know a 134 recharge will get it going again for a while you fill it up as needed. Hopefully it last for at least a few weeks.

On my '87, it was at the point where a recharge only lasted a week before I stopped bothering with it.

We will see. Hoses and fittings look new. Hoping the leak was from the missing bolt on the compressor. Did two valve adjustments 8 months apart that require moving the compressor, may have loosened a connector. Will check as well. R134 is not cheap. $40 a can.

Chris

It wasn't. Those bolts attach the compressor to the AC bracket. They don't hold in refrigerant.