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Daft AC question

J

johng

New member
Hi guys

I was advised by our local AC people that the condensers are a weak point on the 993s and would be the most likely cause of the "gas" leak and no system pressure.
They told me that it would be daft to just replace one and order two. I asked the supplier if both sides were the same and they said they were, but if not would send me a LH & RH condenser. LH side went fine, but on taking the RH side of the car apart, I can only find an oil cooler - doh!
Can anyone confirm that I have'nt missed something obvious (apart from now having a spare condenser!!)

Cheers

Johng
 
John,

I'm pretty sure the 993 system is the same as in the 964, in which case there IS only one condenser. The right hand side houses the oil cooler as you have discovered. I believe the twin condensers is a 996/Boxster innovation.

You should ideally have the a/c people insert some ultra-violet sensitive dye into the system to confirm the leak point. Otherwise you are likely to spend a lot of money to get nowhere. IMHO the weakest point in the a/c system is actually the evaporator (between the dash and the fuel tank) which is (a) more expensive than the condenser and (b) probably 3 times the labour cost to change it. Ask me how I know!!!

Regards

Dave
 
Agree with Dave.

Mine had an a/c leak and it was sorted under warranty - first pipes were replaced, then the condenser and finally the evaporator, which cured the problem. This after dye had been used as well.

All these parts were leaking , curing one meant the leaks moved along the system as the pressure improved.

Probably cost £2k if I had to pay for it.!!
 
Thanks Dave/John (I think!) - sounds like the evaporator needs changing

I see you are in the MK area Dave, who did your repair and what sort of cost - someone local?

Cheers

Johng
 
John,

I had the evaporator sorted by J Z Machtech in Kings Langley. It wasn't cheap!! The Porsche evaporator was a little over £500 and the labour was roughly the same!! I've learned since (it was a year ago last August) that the evaporator is NOT a Porsche specific part and is available elsewhere for significantly less. J Z pride themselves on using only Porsche parts so didn't mention it could be had cheaper - maybe they didn't know. I recall there was a thread on here a little while ago on the subject.

The labour is expensive because of the amount of dismantling which has to be done. The fuel tank has to come out and the firewall removed to allow the removal of the heating unit. It's just very time-consuming.

Hope that helps. If being in MK is any help to you PM me.

Regards

Dave
 
Thanks Dave

I took the brave step and replaced the condenser as it was the easiest part of the AC, but I don't think it has fixed the problem. As you mentioned, replacing the evaporator is a job for someone better than me - I see from the service manual just how much has to come out first.

Any experience of Promax in Great Horwood? I have used JZM for servicing and was first rate, they are just a PITA to get to during the week!

Oh... you were right about the evaporator - I found one for £184.00 and they are not Porsche specific. When you need another, just let me know [:D]

Cheers

Johng
 
John,

The only experience I have had with ProMax was with Andrew Sweetenham fitting my ECU chip. They have only recently moved to Great Horwood (from Brackley) and I haven't been to see the new place yet. Their experience seems very 944-biased although they do say that they do work on all Porsche models. I am sure a lot of people on the 944 forums will have plenty of experience with them.

When I take my car to JZ I get them to drop me off at the station - it's on the same line as MK although since Silverlink changed the schedules you now have to change once. They'll pick you up from the station too when you go to collect. I love that drive down the A41 in the early morning!!

Maybe see you around some time. At one of the R10 Regional Meetings perhaps???

Regards

Dave
 
John,

The R10 meets are usually 2nd Sunday of the month but I'm not sure what's happening during June. I know the R10 Concours at being held at OPC Silverstone (in Towcester) on Sunday 1st July and THAT would be a good one to attend.

Regards

Dave

PS Keep and eye on the R10 forum.
 
Andy

I am going to try and make the Silverstone meet on the 1st - is it just turn up, or by appointment...?

Cheers

John
 
Dave,

I need to get my evaporator replaced. Job that will have to wait until I am on holiday and so I won't be missing the drives. Will be sending her off to JZ's... Quality of work, attention to detail & service is great! Cannot wait for the AC to be working again. I have missed it so much!

How long ago and how much did JZ charge you for the whole job?
 
Didi,

JZ did mine back in August of 2005. I was pleased with the job they did - and the a/c still operates today with no top-ups since. As John said above, the evaporator is available as a non-Porsche part significantly cheaper than the £500-odd that Porsche charges. If you are going to get JZ to do the job I'd recommend getting the evaporator yourself and giving it to them to fit. They will only supply Porsche parts - at Porsche prices - but will fit supplied parts.

I had a few other things done at the same time (H&R springs) but the rundown on the a/c bit was as follows:

Evaporator £551.90
Expansion valve £98.67
Seals £ 4.00
R134a conversion £55.00
Re-gas £115.00
Labour £578.20

Total £1402.77

Looking back on it now I'm sure it could be done cheaper - but they DID do a good job.

Regards

Dave

BTW, all the prices above do not include the dreaded VAT!!!
 
Thank you Dave,

...& after two years it is still as good as gold. Certainly a job worth getting done, and done well. I will give JZ a ring in the morning. I think letting them supply the part is perhaps safer: if it then breaks I won't have to pay them the labour costs to have the new one replaced.

Didi

 
Just an update on the AC - on investigation, the condenser had corroded and I managed to fit this myself. I took it to a local AC specialist for a recharge and all looked OK - after a couple of days though the pressure had gone again. Fortunately the AC guys had put the dye in just in case, so I thought bugger! now I need the very reasonable (and easy to fit!) evaporator. Not so says the AC man... in his experience the pipes that run along the length of the car are vunerable due to chafing - sure enough there were 3 small holes in the pipes, the evaporator is fine

I guess the warning is to get the system fully checked by someone who knows what they are looking for before tearing the car apart!

Cheers

John
 
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