[BeBe]

Trying to do DIY repair (add refrigerant) to a/c, but fitting doesn't want to attach. Am I in the wrong spot? Or, do 968s have a non- standard fitting?

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[vliegwielolaf1234]

That is the high pressure port .

The low pressure port is on top off the compressor down below , i think you can not get to that port from te top , part of the lower platic belly pan needs to be removed if i remember correct .

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[BeBe]

Once I actually locate it, is it a standard fitting?

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[tejon007]

BeBe, Sorry to interject...but, do you have a set of gauges, leak detector, vacuum pump, etc?? (i.e. new o-rings, PAG oil)


If so, then you should have what you need to move forward with your a/c repair/maintenance. Otherwise, just adding refrigerant may just be a waste at a minimum...or you could be in for an expensive repair. The strong suggestion is to not add refrigerant without the proper tools....


Good luck getting your a/c going. Just fixed mine and not too soon as I was driving it a couple weeks ago and the temperatures hit 106!

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[BeBe]

My mechanic added some several years ago after checking for leaks. It stayed for a long time. I do have some cooling, just not enough.

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[BeBe]

I probably do have a leak, but a pretty slow one.

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[tejon007]

...just saying that if you don't have gauges you can't see what the pressures are and you may end up over-charging the system. The high and low pressure ports are different sizes so you "can't hook things up incorrectly. Best wishes...

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[BeBe]

My mechanic is an hour away, so if I can do DIY on something that seems "simple", I'd rather do that.  Had done it successfully on one of my other cars.  The aerosol recharge can has a pressure gauge inline on the hose from the can to the fitting.  It's probably not super accurate, but may be good enough to at least get me some cold(er) air.

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[BeBe]

Still trying to decide if I want to attempt this myself, but remain unclear on location of port.  On the PET Katalog diagram (illustration 813-15), what part # is it?  Revealing my ignorance; is the A/C compressor on the passenger side (US) down low?  I'd like to at least see what I'm up against in terms of obstructions and skinned knuckles to gain access.

 

I still have bad memories of changing the knock sensors...

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[Ryan]

Compressor is on the drivers side low. Post is right off the body of the compressor. It has a protective plastic cap over it. If the A/C has been converted it will have a screw on adapter over the old fitting to mate up with the new cans of refrigerant. On our cars if the gas gets too low there is a pressure switch that keeps the compressor from coming on. I have had that happen on my 944S and just added a small can of 134a to it and watched the compressor come back to life. I never used a gauge but I was afraid to go beyond one can because of the lack of the gauge. I have had good results from the unit as far as cooling goes from topping off with one can.   

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[BeBe]

My system is 134a, so I should be able to charge once I find the port.  Probably won't get to it until the weekend.  Thanks for the help.

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[MLB]

I found access easiest by just taking off the left front wheel, ( I may also had to remove the front belly pan)


But this way i didnt have to jack the car very high either

Might be able to get away with just cranking the steering all the way to the left, with or without jacking up the left front corner


Depends on your dexterity and willingness to crawl around on the ground to some extent :0)

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[BeBe]

Once I actually put eyes on the port, i decided to give it a shot.  Put freon in until it didn't seem to be taking any more.  Didn't quite make it into the green range on the gauge, but there was cold air coming out the vents, so it is at least a temporary improvement.  If the charge doesn't hold, I'll take it to a professional.

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[BeBe]

I took the belly pan off, but still had to take off the vertical shield behind the wheel, so MLB's approach may be a good way to go.  Lots of crawling around on the garage floor, which I didn't enjoy, but needed to happen to get the job done.

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[ds968]

Had the AC recharged today .  It was $ 80 for the labor ( becuase they had to put the car on a lift, removed the belly pan , drained the system and then recharged  everyting ) and  it was another $ 40 for the 134 refrigerant.  The equivalent of 1 and a 1/2 cans.  I have to do this every three years or so - there is a very slow leak somewhere , but I’m not going to bother fixing it , the refrigerant has a leak resistant additive ,so that probably mitigates the situation somewhat, but spending $ 120 every three years is still a lot more economical than repairing / replacing the system. 

On a side note , the mechanics asked me if they can take pictures and videos of the car to show  their friends , they were very impressed ..and this place works on Ferraris, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, all sorts of other Porsches , Aston Martins, so they see it all..  it was a nice experience to have them admiring the 968 as much as they did.  

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[Rap]

Always a good feeling to receive a compliment on one’s car. Almost as good as ones self.

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[dlearl476]

Had the AC recharged today .  It was $ 80 for the labor ( becuase they had to put the car on a lift, removed the belly pan , drained the system and then recharged  everyting ) and  it was another $ 40 for the 134 refrigerant.  The equivalent of 1 and a 1/2 cans.  I have to do this every three years or so - there is a very slow leak somewhere , but I’m not going to bother fixing it , the refrigerant has a leak resistant additive ,so that probably mitigates the situation somewhat, but spending $ 120 every three years is still a lot more economical than repairing / replacing the system. 

On a side note , the mechanics asked me if they can take pictures and videos of the car to show  their friends , they were very impressed ..and this place works on Ferraris, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, all sorts of other Porsches , Aston Martins, so they see it all..  it was a nice experience to have them admiring the 968 as much as they did.  

ds-Chances are you don’t have a leak.  The 134 molecule is so small it leaks out of rubber hoses designed for R12 after a year or so.  

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[ds968]

ds-Chances are you don’t have a leak.  The 134 molecule is so small it leaks out of rubber hoses designed for R12 after a year or so.  

Really ? That’s cool ! ( no pun intended ). Good to know !  

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[Roboman]

That reminds me I must get mine topped up.  I don't believe I have a leak as it's taken years for the a/c  to reduce effectiveness, so thanks for this info.

 

ds-Chances are you don’t have a leak.  The 134 molecule is so small it leaks out of rubber hoses designed for R12 after a year or so.  

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[Velocity]

That reminds me I must get mine topped up.  I don't believe I have a leak as it's taken years for the a/c  to reduce effectiveness, so thanks for this info.

 

 

My '92 (that was converted to 134a) blew "cool" but definitely not cold air when I bought it in November of 2019.  I had the AC 134a drained/refilled in April of 2020 and it would produce 36F air out of the vents on a 91F day that summer.  Performed well for a few years then noticed it blowing "cool" but not cold again in late 2023 - just refilled it again in November of '23 and hoping to make it into late 2026 before it needs another refill.  

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