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Air conditioning

spyderman

spyderman

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I find aircon invaluable when it rains to stop the car misting up. And lets face it - it rains a lot in the UK! I think an OPC would charge something like £600 to replace a single condensor. You won't know until you've had them changed if that's the only fault - non-use does indeed cause problems. Chris.
 
ORIGINAL: elliotw In the winter months I didn't use my air con.
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A common mistake to make Elliot. It's important to use the aircon in the winter too; there's a lubricant included with the refrigerant which lubricates the compressor and also stops the O-ring seals from drying out. As Chris says, the aircon is very useful in damp weather to prevent the interior from misting up (common in soft-tops) by removing water from the air. I seem to recall someone posting recently on the forum quoting a similar figure for condenser replacement. Personally, I'd replace both condensers if that is indeed the problem. Normally a dye is introduced into the refrigerant when recharging the system which fluoresces under ultraviolet light and helps identify points of leakage. Jeff
 
Hi

I have a 2005 Boxster S.

In the winter months I didn't use my air con.

A few weeks ago I gave my air con a go, and it started blowing lukewarm air. I took for an air con top up, and I still have the problem. I returned it to the same garage that did my top up and they said there is a leak.

I have just spoken to a company I found from doing a quick Google search for London car air conditioning specialists. The chap I spoke to said that 99% of the time it is the condensers of the Boxsters that has corroded as the rest of the system is so well built. The charge to have 1 condenser replaced will be £460, for 2 condensers, £560. That's parts and labour - plus they would come to my property.

I'm in two minds whether it's even worth having these replaced - after all, the best air conditioning is having the roof down, which I generally do when it's warm (and when it's cold too, as long as there's a blue sky [:D]). I don't think I can remember the last time I used the air con (and my lack of use of it may be part of the problem too, so I have been told).

Any thoughts on (i) whether the quotes above seem reasonable or you think that I could do better (I note it costs £199 for 2 condensers on design911) or (ii) whether it is even worth having it done for a convertible?

Cheers

Elliot

 
Cheers for the replies. On second thoughts, I think I may have been using the air conditioning during the winter. I was thinking that if I used the fan on warm (which I have during the winter months) it wasn't using the air con, but I actually think it does unless I manually press the air con off button (which I don't press). So I guess at least I have been using the air con over the winter when I thought I wasn't, right? Guess I naively associate air con with cooling a room, but if I am not mistaken, a car can be warmed up using the air conditioning system, correct?
 
Correct, if the Air Con is left on "Auto" the car will use the air con as and when required. Air con dries the air and doesn't just cool it, which is why it can be helpful in Winter. I was told when I bought my 2002 Boxster S to leave it on "Auto" and only adjust the temperature. Having said that I do turn the air con off when I have the roof down, but it's back on Auto as soon as the roof is up.
 
Why not change them yourself?, easy enough job, should be able to change both condensors and regas for under £300
 
How easy and how long will it take? Any instructions on how to change this over? Keen to give it a try, but also don't want to ruin my car! Thanks
 
Also, can get a kit at Design911: http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod13472/Air-ConditiPorsche--oning--Air-CPorsche-Air-Conditioning--Air-Con--Radiator-Condenser-Kiton--Radiator-Condensor-Kit-Air-Conditioning--Air-Con--Radiator-Condenser-Kit/ or alternatively, http://www.bestpartstore.co.uk/2757061 Bestpartstore seems to be pretty cheap for a single condenser. Not sure if I need the other bits n pieces in the Design911 kit - if not, Bestpartstore comes in much cheaper and can just order 2 condensers from them. Always can order the O-rings and dessicator from design911 to build my own kit cheaper than at design 911. thoughts?
 
Id simply get the kit for £199 from design 911 - you know they are going to fit. A mobile regas for £35 and job done. Need to take front bumper off - just screwed on, needs two people to hold either end to manipulate it off, once off its just a matter of removing the plastic cowlings around the radiators/condensors and splitting the condensors from the radiators (screw and some clips) cant remember exactly as it was 8 years ago when i last did a Boxster, couple of bolts that hold the air con pipes to condensor connections and two "O" rings in these joints, do both sides and rebuild. should be done in a day even if youve not done it before.
 
Just to add that you really ought to get the system de-gassed before attempting to work on it. Jeff
 
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