About to purchase 2004 50th anniversary - Page 6 - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Timco · 05-31-2016, 04:00 AM

I do residential split systems. Same issues. The compressor comes with its oil. Then if it's low or flat, I have to pull a vacuum in the system and it has to hold vac for like 30 min and not raise back up. Then a scale is used to weigh the charge being added. Vapor only to big pipe or suction (or compressor will be ruined) and liquid on the small pipe (liquid line). It can only be "topped off" when it's hot outside and the AC is running and working. Then check output air temp at vents and suction temp plus the suction side pressure based on a T&P chart. When output air is about 40* you're there.

When you top off it has typically enough oil to replace a leak in the can but if you lost a lot of oil it must be checked and replaced.

78F350 · 05-31-2016, 05:43 AM

I am not a tech and I'm more of a duct tape and vice-grip guy than torque wrench and loc-tite. I have bought a lot of crappy old Hondas over the years that the AC had failed in. I got most of them working well again.
I would not recommend following my advice.
-See if the compressor is compressin' (jump the ground for the clutch if you have to.)
-Replace the schrader valves, and every one of the green o-rings that you can easily get to.
-Vacuum the system to get all the moisture, old/contaminated gasses out.
-Recharge with the correct amount of r134/ butane/favorite flavor of r12....

*Wear gloves & safety goggles, make sure nobody is filming, and don't breathe.
* Buy one of these:

Note to EPA: All work that I have done is under the supervision and training of a qualified HVAC A&P mechanic using approved devices.

Timco · 05-31-2016, 05:53 AM

It was a day-long course and a 4-hour test to get my EPA license for refrigerant. It's all about the safe recovery and reclaim process. The vac pumps shown above only pull vacuum. They do not recover the old refrigerant safely. That takes a $1200+ reclaimer pump and hoses and a empty tank.

An empty system can be charged with nitrogen to check for leaks. Never use air.

78F350 · 05-31-2016, 06:16 AM

I forgot to add this link:
Summer A/C Guide, How it Works, and When it Doesn't - Honda-Tech
A great guide to basic automotive AC, but the system in our cars is not identical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timco

It was a day-long course and a 4-hour test to get my EPA license for refrigerant. It's all about the safe recovery and reclaim process. The vac pumps shown above only pull vacuum. They do not recover the old refrigerant safely. That takes a $1200+ reclaimer pump and hoses and a empty tank.

An empty system can be charged with nitrogen to check for leaks. Never use air.

Tim is a professional. I am a hack.

Quote:

*Wear gloves & safety goggles, make sure nobody is filming, and don't breathe.

Timco · 05-31-2016, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78F350

I forgot to add this link:
Summer A/C Guide, How it Works, and When it Doesn't - Honda-Tech
A great guide to basic automotive AC, but the system in our cars is not identical.

Tim is a professional. I am a hack.

That stuff will give you frostbite fast! And if you know where to look, you can actually see the ozone hole get bigger as the refrigerant leaks out......

GTsilber · 05-31-2016, 01:54 PM

Thanks guys for the great feedback - you have convinced me to take the car to an independent shop that can better diagnose the issues, I was in over my head!

On another note - I received my new FVD pedals that I ordered off eBay for $30, going to try and install them this weekend.

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GTA_G20 · 06-18-2016, 10:22 PM

Progress update. Please

I just bought a distressed one for the same price

GTsilber · 06-19-2016, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTA_G20

Progress update. Please

I just bought a distressed one for the same price

Car is being resprayed right now, should have it back early next week.

Here is a list of parts I've purchased so far, haven't installed everything yet:
AOS
Sparkplugs and coils
Pentosin oil
Magnetic oil plug
Oil filter
Cabin filter
Air filter
Rotors and pads
Brake fluid
Engine mount and shims
Clutch kit and flywheel
Leather Sport Seats
Floor mats
CV Axles
Coolant cap
Frunk shocks

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GTsilber · 06-28-2016, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTA_G20

Progress update. Please

I just bought a distressed one for the same price

Here she is with new paint, not concours but dramatically better than before

Wheels will be polished up this week

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GTA_G20 · 06-29-2016, 04:48 AM

Looks good. Hope to be there in a month lol

GTsilber · 06-29-2016, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTA_G20

Looks good. Hope to be there in a month lol

Color looks very different in the sun

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blair206 · 07-19-2016, 01:17 PM

Hey

Last October I was buying parts off this guy who turned a Cocoa 550 SE into a track car he had the whole interior for sale. My 550 has a black interior so I bought other things off him, so he might still have the interior on his shelf.

His email was bela928@sbcglobal.net

I did buy a bunch of stuff so feel free to shoot me an email for anything you may need.
blair206@hotmail.com

GTsilber · 07-19-2016, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blair206

Hey

Last October I was buying parts off this guy who turned a Cocoa 550 SE into a track car he had the whole interior for sale. My 550 has a black interior so I bought other things off him, so he might still have the interior on his shelf.

His email was bela928@sbcglobal.net

I did buy a bunch of stuff so feel free to shoot me an email for anything you may need.
blair206@hotmail.com

Thanks for the heads up, my interior is actually also black...but there still might be a few parts I can use

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