964 turbo questions

[Guest]

Hi - I'm new to 964 Turbo ownership (after 3.2 carrera and 968) and have a few questions I hope someone can answer:

- the battery goes flat after 48 hours if I don't keep it on a charger. Battery is 1 yr old Bosch silver. Can I easily check whether this is an alternator problem before I bring it to a specialist?
- noticed this morning that on cold starting the car only the right hand side exhaust produces smoke. Is this normal? The engine sounds and pulls fine.
- when reversing the drive feels awful - like the car has a flat tyre. The independent specialist who just serviced the car says this is common for this type and nothing to worry about.
- the aircon needs regassing, is it OK to go to any garage that provide a regassing service or is there something special about regassing a Porsche aircon for a 964 Turbo from 1992.

Thanks!
Rutger

 

[911 Turbo]

I can only help with the exhaust question - the left hand exhaust is only connected to the turbo wastegate so will only have exhaust fumes coming out of it when the wastegate opens and dumps the excess gases when full boost is reached. The right hand exhaust is connected directly to the engine so will always have exhaust gases coming out of it when the engine is running.

 

[Guest]

Thanks 911 Turbo - I won't forget that.

 

[Ian Donkin]

The 'flat tyre' syndrome in reverse is the limited slip diff - yes they do grumble.

The aircon was originally filled with R12 - now illegal - so I think it needs R49 (or similar); most aircon specialists will know this.

Can't help with the other bits - but hope you enjoy it.

 

[DuncanF]

Whilst the air-con can be converted to run on the R134A gas that modern systems use there seems to be a number of alternatives. Coincidentally, I've just had my air-con recharged and they used a gas called RS24 but I guess there are others. Seems to work pretty well so far.

As for your battery drain I'd invest in a cheap multimeter if I were you. It ought to be pretty straight forward to check whether the alternator is charging properly. If it is then, I'd guess, there must be something draining the battery when the engine's not running. I think the normal approach is to pull the fuses one by one and see which one is responsible. You never now, it might be something simple.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Ian and Duncan. In the mean time I learned from the car's history file that the alternator was replaced a year ago, so I guess that should still be OK. I'll keep the battery on the charger and get my local independent (LaRose) to have a look at it shortly.
I just wished garages had opening hours to accommodate the typical London commuter who is away from home 12 - 14 hours a day...

 

[964Turbo]

Rutger - are LaRose re gassing your aircon? I also need a recharge and they are close to me.

If it make you feel any better I also have a 'flat tyre' when using reverse.

 

[John_Ward]

Usual killer for battery is incorrectly installed alarm circuit.
My previous 930's both used to drain battery if left standing for 5 days or more, which led to me disconnecting battery when car was put away in garage after weekends out.
Current car has no problem whatsover, even though fitted with what I was told was a notoriously energy hungry Clifford system.
Tip regarding pulling fuses one by one is correct.
Good luck!
Rgds
John

 

[Guest]

Thanks John - I'll have the professionals look at the electrics and if need be replace the alarm. It's a very annoying self arming Toad thing anyway. Much prefer the H&P products. 964 Turbo, in answer to your question re. aircon and Larose, I just spoke to them and they have a mobile guy that comes to their place. Apparently regassing is around £70. Booked it in for early June as I'm travelling next couple of weeks.