Boxster question please

[911hillclimber]

Boxster, 987 gen II 2.9
A/C stopped working the other day. It has progressively got weaker, but don't use it much.
Fan works, dash light too but blown air same with it on or off.
I think it is the rad up front, but going to local specialist for analysis and pin pointing of the problem.
Can't find much on any a/c common faults, can't get on PCGB forum here in Italy so thought I would ask here while Le Mans grinds on!
Some ideas on costs would be good.
The front rad change seems quite meccano except for the re charge, a new rad and rings about £150

Hope someone can help advise.

[defianty]

If you go to a garage to have the air conditioning recharged a reputable place should check for leaks and advise. I don't know whether it is the same these days, but I was advised to turn on the air conditioning at least once a week, all year round to 'lubricate the system' and prevent leaks. I'd try that first before replacing any expensive parts.

[911hillclimber]

Thank for the reply, sounds good advice.
When it became obvious the othe ay I tried a few times to get it to cool, but nothing.
Might just be the compressor drive belt as recently I have smelt a strong rubber smell...
Falling out of love with this car.

[Berny]

I think you will find you have two condensers one each side, the leaves and muck should be cleaned out when serviced but often missed!

[911hillclimber]

2?!
That's a shame!
I've hosed the two rads down since
I've owned it, but others probably not..
Could just be the belt..hoping of course.
Read somewhere that a full rebuild could be £1200.

[Ashley James]

Mine had a leak in the condenser cause by a stone, which I believe is quite common.

[RichardBTek]

Check the air condenser fans (not the ones in the car) are spinning up when the system is turned on. This will usually indicate the system has enough refrigerant/pressure in the system to operate. If they are not running the system, as previously suggested, might have lost pressure due to a leak. Stones damage is the usual. Any reputable air con specialist will check the system for leaks with nitrogen if a system leak is suspected not just refill. Fan failure/low refrigerant or blocked condenser can also cause poor cooling in the car.
Richard

[210bhp]

http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod13784 ... r-987-MKI/

Regards
Mike

[andytat]

Graham.
If you smell burning rubber you should check it out. There is only one belt on all water
cooled engines and it drives the A/C. PAS, water pump and alternator. If it fails you are
getting towed home!

Regards.

Andy

[911hillclimber]

Richard, the indie I'll take it to is German Car specialist and seems good, soon find out.
Mike, wrong model but take your point to add mesh guards, esp if I'm taking the bumper off myself.
I hope to do the donkey work myself in the end, just take it for pressure check and refill.
There are a few traffic scrapes on the bumper, so easier to paint them out while bumper is off.

Andy, this has happened a few times before the major 40k mile service that had a belt change included.
The care has done under 2k since.Not sure if I've smelt it since the service. PCT did the full on service, so all should be ok.
Hope I'm not mistaken.

[Tony]

Graham,
If you decide to fit mesh guards zundsport offer a significant discount to PCGB, but the fit outside the existing grills. If your taking the bumper off yourself a much smarter and cheaper result can be obtained with stainless mesh and tin snips!
Tony

[911hillclimber]

Indeed, B&Q comes to mind!

[barryb]

Hi

You scared me a bit re. stones in the radiators, so I bought the Zundsport meshes, a bit expensive but a really nice bit of kit. Fitting was about 10 minutes for centre and both sides. I think it looks better at the front now.



Barry

[911hillclimber]

They look good Barry, about 180£ all in.

[barryb]

Hi

Around that price although I had to pay for international shipping. There are may ways of getting 15% discount off their advertised price

Barry