A/C problem/question
 

The A/C on my car does not pump out much cold air. As a matter of fact it takes about 15 minutes for the air comming out of the vents to get even slightly cool. After a long time the car does finally cool off. In the past, on other cars, this has been idicative of low freon level.

Do I need to take the car to a Porsche specialist/dealer to deal with this (especially since I think it just needs a recharge?) . If not is the A/C line easy to get to or do you need to go into the engine compartment?

Being that Boxsters have small interiors, getting them cool usually takes very little time. 15 minutes sounds too long to me. You probably do need a recharge most likely. I believe the area next to the battery is where it needs to be recharged. Do you need to go to a Porsche dealer for this? Probably not, but I would take it to someone who has worked on a Porsche AC system for sure to have it checked....

also replace your pollen filter. it's possible that it's too dirty to get a good volume of air passing through it.

The volume of air flow is fine, its just that its not cold air. If the refill location is easily accessible then I assume I can take it to any AC shop to have the pressure checked and refilled if necessary no? I would prefer to take it to a Porsche place, but its hot, and I want to take the car on a long trip on Sunday. Thus I want to get it fixed this weekend if possible (I already tried, but I can't get it into a Porsche specialist by then).

Hi,

All good points, but also check that your Serpentine Belt isn't slipping and that the Condenser is clean so it gets good airflow.

The Schrader Valves are located under the right side Inspection Cover under the Hood. It's really best to have it serviced than simply to recharge it from a DIY kit, especially since you're having trouble.

Theoretically, an AC should never require recharging. Since yours may, this indicates that a leak exists and the source should be found. Not just to make it cool and preserve the new refrigerant you'll add, but also to insure that moisture and dirt have not invaded the system, and/or the Oil level is low all of which could lead to premature Compressor failure (Big $$).

Personally, I would have it flushed on a vacuum pump which will boil off any accumulated moisture and clean up the Expansion Valve (also a potential source of your problem). Avoid the tendency of some shops to recommend a greater amount of refrigerant than spec as this makes the Compressor work harder and can lead to premature failure. The Spec for the refrigerant is R-134a - 850g (30oz.) and ND 8 (refrgerant Oil) 195 ± 15 ml (6.6 ± 0.05 oz.). The AC Control Module will also store up to 50 faults in the system and these can be accessed with a PST2. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Jim,
Thanks for that good advice. Since I want to use the car this weekend, I will take it to an Auto repair place that I trust and have them check the pressure. If its low I will have them fill it (at 7 years old its not unheard of to require a recharge). If the charge is OK, I'll park the car and take it to a Porsche place to have the other things you recommend checked.

Don't park it! Drive with the top down, my man! :)

Well if the serpentine belt is slipping I don't want to drive it until its fixed.