Rob 97 993c2

hi guys,
ive done some searching, but am still not sure.

What does it cost to fix the a/c on a 964? Seems ive heard all sorts of quotes from low numbers to $3500? was the a/c different on the pre-92 cars?
Is the a/c the same as a 993?
Are there common a/c problems beyond recharging of which i need to be aware as a potential large expense?

race911

You've heard all sorts of numbers because there are a myriad of things which could need repair. Kind of like saying "how much does a Porsche cost?"

The A/C was "different" on the earlier cars (not sure of the exact split, I've had cars that SHOULD have been R-12 but were R-134) because of the different refrigerant used. I'll leave anything more specific to those who know more. And for all practical purposes, the R-134 systems are the same as carried into the 993.

Absolutely the most common issue is low refrigerant level. In the most basic terms, you hook up gauges and see what the pressures are. Then you add the appropriate amount. Hopefully, the system starts blowing cool air. Maybe for the next 5 years, maybe for a week. So, anything more comprehensive requires diagnostics like adding leak detecting dye; or evacuating the systems and pulling vacuum to see if it holds.

If it doesn't blow cold after a fill/top off, all bets are off. May be a simple fix, may not.

There's some basics, we'll see who else cares to comment more.

tbennett017

Also, are you really having issues with the A/C or is it with the climate control and associated hardware? Can you be more specific with your symptoms?

Is your compressor engaging? Any cold air at all? Fans run okay?

Makmov

It is a Porsche system with a rotary compressor it SHOULD work! However, there can be a range of problems. When I got my car it did NOT work. It looked like it got a new clutch recently and a new condensor fan from the dealer just before I bought it. The system had about 150g in it so most of it leaked out. I started to recharge the system, compressor kicked on, and got about halfway and pissssssssss. evaporator to dryer hose leaking. Looks like a new hose and someone buggered up the the end and it leaks. $400 hose. Hopefully that will be the end of it because they didn't put it in right. But I can promise at Porsche a Condensor fan, clutch, and this hose, diag, labor, and R-134 would have exceeded $2000 at this point. Luck for me some else had done the really expensive part, and I found a hose for like $10 used + R134 and a set of gauges I am about $150 deep in it.

BHMav8r

Mine was about $1000 - replaced the condencer? Its a pita to get to . . .

Makmov

Condensor or Evaporator?

Condensor in the front driver fender not to bad to get to. Evap, nightmare to get to up behind the fire wall under the cowl.

Earlydays

Here's some info:
Just fully recharged my '90 964 w/ R12 and oil - $290 (local Porsche shop)
Griffith's R134a conversion kit for the 964 - $129
Pelican Parts:
Compressor - $312
Evaporator - $453
Condenser - $299
Dryer - $73
Hoses - ave. $300/each

R6XTERRA

Mine had R134 conversion quite a few years ago. When i purchased the car 3 years ago it was not blowing cold. I was told by the Porsche dealership it was working when it got them to do the PPI. My car was delivered from the US to Canada so I had no recourse. I bought the R134 refirigerent and guage to top mine up from autozone.

Do you have a quick and easy DIY to top my refrigerent off?

I have searched everywhere and no luck. I want to make sure I am doing it correct.

Jeff

GeorgeK

Assume the worst. Evaporator is your worse nightmare to replace. The rest is much easier.
If it hasn't worked for a while, I'd not hope for anthing below 1.5K.

R6XTERRA

Got A/C wooooooooohoooooo. nice and cold. I was a little low.

Ryan360

How did you end up topping off your refrigerant? Did you find an easy DIY? Is there a way to tell if a 964 has been converted to a R134 from R12?

Thanks,
Ryan360
1990 C4

Rocket Rob

The adapters on the compressor are different on the R134 vs R12. The R134 have blue and red covers (see picture below). There should also be a sticker somewhere stating that your car has been converted. I had C2 converted about 2 years ago.

Makmov

After a failed charge, leaking dryer to evap hose and a dryer replaced, recharge my AC was blowing cubes last night!

I think I ended up into for about $300-$400. No apparent leaks and everything is working. What I think happened is someone missed the reciever dryer leak because some did a lot work on the AC, it has a new condensor fan, new hose that I replaced (only they screwed up the end putting it on) new clutch. Someone was spending big $$$ trying to get it going.

Bearclaw

When I first got my car (shipped from a dealer), it was the spring of the year. I was told had it just been recharged (R-12) and was fine. By the time I actually used it a month later, it was weak. Uh-oh. So shortly after, I had it recharged at a Porsche indy shop while it was in for some other stuff. Once again, it didn't last two weeks. I just left it alone till this spring, when I had it at a different indy for some odds and ends, and they offered to convert it for ~$375. I did it, that was April and it's still blowing cold. I'm assuming the problem was some dried-out seals that got changed in the conversion.

I don't think the Porsche is extraordinarily expensive to repair the air conditioning compared to a lot of other cars. I just paid $1000 to have the evap replaced on my SAAB. That job's just a PITA on a lot of makes. I had decided to budget $1200 to fix the Porsche. Anything beyond that, and I was gonna have to do some real soul-searching to decide how much I wanted A/C on a car that's not a daily driver.
This is why you see so many with inoperable A/C - or it has been just flat removed.