Air Con Specialists (non OPC)

[Guest]

Has anyone used an air con specialist for their Porsche? I had a Boxster re charged in 2004 at Porsche Centre Newcastle which cost £ 119.00 plus VAT. I'm not sure if this is an easy job (I guess you have to get to the engine bay).

I wondered if an air con specialist would be cheaper, although I'd prefer it if they had done a Boxster before.

Any suggestedions greatfully received.

Tim.

 

[Siggy]

There is a guy in Castleford, west Yorks who recharges systems for £40.

Dave

 

[turbo jonny]

I had mine done at JCT too but later found that it had been subcontracted anyway ...

 

[Paul Fraser]

The refill nozzles are to the left of the battery as you look towards the back of the car. Take off the plastic cover and you will see them -- black plastic covers. Why did you need a aircon regas on a 2004 car? Did you get them to check for leaks, because it sound like you have one, probably a holed heat exchanger (have a look in the inlet part of the bumper -- you should see the aircon radiators tucked away at the rear corners. Do they have the tell tale oil staining of a leak on them?)

 

[Guest]

Paul - the car is a Nov 2000 car which needed a re-gas in 2004 and I think again now in May 2006. I don't see any leaks on the floor of the garage but I'll certainly now take a look at the heat exchangers.

Can the exchangers be repaired in your opinion or do they have to be replaced ? As you can see, I'm not well up on doing stuff myself !

Thanks,

Tim.

 

[Guest]

The following picture is what I thought were the nozzles but no rubber caps. After uploading the pic I now don't think these are them. I'll have another look tomorrow and post a picure for reference.

I can't find any leaks on first inspection.

 

[Paul Fraser]

No that isn't it. Take off the black plastic cover to the left of the battery cover. The two nozzles have conical black caps on them, at the end of two pipes.

A is the high pressure, B low.

Doubt you'll get leak marks on the floor from an aircon leak, I think the stuff evaporates.

You can get new radiators from Eurocarparts for around £150 and you'll need a new drier/dessicator too. I'm planning to do mine in a couple of weeks or so, as well as replacing a high pressure pipe that runs under the right hand side of the car that has been holed. I did ask one aircon guy if you could get them recored but he said no (haven't asked anyone else but will if I get the chance).

 

[Siggy]

You will not see any leaks from air con gas.
Have you checked the pollen filter (if they have one)?
How often do you use it? you should use it all year round, yes even in the winter.
It should not need recharging after 2 years unless you have a leak.

Dave

 

[Guest]

The car is used very little in the winter months, only done 15,600 miles since Nov 2000. I try to run it at least once a month in the winter.

Had it out on the road today and the air is just not cold when set to LO. I'm guessing there is a leak somewhere. I do recall the engine making a weird noise before it was re-gassed last time. The noise was like a low whine. When the air con was turned off the noise went away, turned on the noise was back. I'm guessing it was the compressor running "empty".

I'm going to pop it into REDLINE RACING when I get a chance partly to see how an independent fairs. I have to say Porsche Newcastle have been very good and have always treated me fairly but as the car is now 6 years old I can't justify their service cost.

Thanks to everyone for the posts !

Tim.

 

[Guest]

I thought I'd just update the story for completeness. I've booked the car in to Red Line Racing in Thornaby, mainly because of the good reputation they seem to have throughout the forum. It was a toss up between them and Tom Ferguson.

I know they will send it out to an aircon specialist but I thought that if it does indeed have a leak identified after the vacuum test then Red Line are perhaps in a position to effect a repair.

Its my first time at a non OPC so I'll post back my experiences.

 

[colinb1]

I've got a 1990 Carrera 4 (964) which needs the Air Con regassing. Seems the original type of gas is no longer usable due to environmental worries. I've been given the name of a company in Newcastle called ACR (near Tom Ferguson's apparently).
Anyone here used them or have any stories to relate about problems regassing an old system?
Thanks!

 

[colinb1]

Just to update from my last post... I got to speak to a chap called Kevin at ACR today and he was very helpful.

When I told him of the age of my car and what I had been told about the problems with the original gas he told me that the stuff that was used in 1990 is no longer used but there is an alternative. However, he would need to check the system first before regassing it.

The check of the system was. he told me, free and then to regas the system would be £60.

I've got the car booked in towards the end of the month so will let you know how I get on!

 

[Guest]

Do you have an address or website for ACR ?

 

[colinb1]

Hi Tim - the only address I have is that they are in Brunel Street in Newcastle... "right next door to Tom Ferguson's". Now it's been a while since I was at Tom's... I called in when I was 'Porscheless' a few years back as I hadn't seen him since he was Service Manager at Gordon Ramsay's - so I am assuming it's the same place just off Scotswood Road.

I'm not aware of any website but their number is 0191 273 7700.

I was given their number by JCT600 in Newcastle and I gathered (although I may be making the wrong assumption) that this was the company that they used for their air con jobs.

The chap to speak to is Kevin Canham.

Hope that's of some help!

 

[Guest]

I've just been in to ACR in Brunel street to have a re-gas on my Boxster. This was done by Kevin (the owner), who, incidently spoke of your requirement Colin.

Kevin is a super guy, and we had a good chat about the system, why you should run it every week or so and how it is laid out in the Boxster.

I would definately go again if I needed to as they have all the proper equipment. After all - they are specialists in air conditioning systems. Kevin even layed out a protective sheet over the side of the car where he was working. To me that speaks volumes.

I have to say I think I'd prefer to take any make of car there that needs a re-gas instead of a main dealer.

Hope the feedback is useful !!

Tim.

 

[colinb1]

Thanks for that Tim! Good to know you had a good experience. I've got my 964 booked in the week after next and your report makes me feel a good bit easier. I just hope the system has no faults and can be recharged easily! I will, of course, report back.

Colin

 

[colinb1]

Well, I went to ACR yesterday to get the Air Con on my car sorted. Everything was going well until we got to the leak test. Kevin found that the AC condenser under the front left wing was leaking slightly so I need a new one. Bugger!

Ne'er mind. The car is 16 years old next month so it's no great surprise and doesn't affect the fun of driving.... so if anyone knows where I can get a reasonably priced condenser - let me know please?

As for Kevin at ACR. Superb. Talked me through the whole system. Tested the pressure etc... when he found the duff condenser he explained what part I needed and didn't charge me a penny for his time. What a smashing bloke. I will, as Arnie said, be back!

Highly recommended. Professional and friendly.

 

[colinb1]

Can I just point out that the expletive I used in the last post was not four letters. I may have been disappointed but there are limits to the language one may use in polite society.

Apologies to anyone offended by the number of stars! []