ISO shop for '88 911 AC system work

[fjamoroso]

Greetings all,

I am looking for a North County shop to do some AC work on my 1988 911. A previous owner removed the compressor and rear condenser 25+ years ago. The system has been open (at the engine compartment hoses) ever since. I would like to get it functional again as everything else on the car works as it should and I am preparing to market the car for sale. So, I would like to go to a shop that is familiar with G Body 911s and their anemic AC systems. I am reinstalling the compressor and rear condenser and I would like to have a shop inspect the system, pull a vacuum, refill / convert to R134a and test the whole shebang.

I'd try it myself, but I don't have the specialty AC tools.

Thanks in advance for any help / suggestions!

I know the AC systems on pre 964s are weak afterthoughts, at best, but this is literally the last item on my '88 to tend to. The car has 60k miles, original paint, yadda-yadda. The AC is THE last thing on my to do list.

Best,
Frank

[Steve Grosekemper]

Frank,

You will need to replace the receiver drier last thing so the system is closed.
Then remove the front A/C condenser, grille and protection bar (mounting only not hoses) and make a body seal between the condenser and pan of the car.
I bend the metal down about 45°for the seal to attach to so there is no gap for air to escape.
There is normally a 1/2" gap there were the air from the fan just falls out and never goes through the front condenser.
Turn the blower on and put your hand under the front condenser and you will see (barely any air can be felt)
Clean and straighten the fins of the condenser while it is out.

Your after test will be two to three times the air volume which will greatly improve the A/C efficiency especially at low speed.

And just remove the black "Butterfly" cover over the vent below the dash in front of the shifter (Two 5mm bolts; 8mm socket)

After that you will be ready for charging.
Some people still have R-12 but its expensive...

Good luck and these tips should make a huge difference in performance.

[Mike]

Frank did you try Stanco near Hotel Circle?
It's not North County but they did a very factory stock spec restoration to my 86 911 AC system.
Took just 4 days to replace all lines, compressor and drier.
Been 2 years and still works great.
Actually Stanco was suggested to me by my friend Dave Quenell when he was still working at Black Forest.
https://www.stancoautoair.com/