AC Discharges

[alstarz88]

Hi

I had an issue with my boxster 1998 2.5 manual last summer and now summer is coming again all be it a long way away i want to get i fixed.

i had the air conditioning recharged last summer then drove to wales where i didn't use it when i came back (I live in essex) the air con wasn't working took it back to where it got recharged they tested it and said there was no coolant left in the system so they recharged it they vacuum tested it and said there was no cracks it seemed to have purged itself

anyone encountered this or no what to do

the other thing is on my climate control if i set it to auto the ac comes on no matter what the temp is outside to my understanding it is only supposed to come on when the temp is over 3 degress

thanks in advance

Ross

[rsfeller]

Ross,

AC systems don't purge themselves, it has a leak if the refridgerant is gone, plain and simple. Tell them to try harder or find another specialist.

The AC can come on regardless of temperature, for example the defrost mode in ALL late model cars will triger the AC to speed up the evaporation process of condensation on the windshield.

If the system is vacant of refridgerant then the AC compressor would not trigger under any circumstance unless a previous owner removed the high or low pressure sensor switches, which is highly unlikly.

Sounds like you need a better AC troubleshooter. AC is very confusing to those who are not knowledable but once you invest the time it's a very easy system to troubleshoot...only a few things can go wrong.

Edited February 18, 2009 by rsfeller

[alstarz88]

Ross,

AC systems don't purge themselves, it has a leak if the refridgerant is gone, plain and simple. Tell them to try harder or find another specialist.

The AC can come on regardless of temperature, for example the defrost mode in ALL late model cars will triger the AC to speed up the evaporation process of condensation on the windshield.

If the system is vacant of refridgerant then the AC compressor would not trigger under any circumstance unless a previous owner removed the high or low pressure sensor switches, which is highly unlikly.

Sounds like you need a better AC troubleshooter. AC is very confusing to those who are not knowledable but once you invest the time it's a very easy system to troubleshoot...only a few things can go wrong.

hi thanks for the reply

when the ac is switched on the pump kicks in as the revs at idle lower for a second could this be something to do with it also when they charged it for a second time it worked fine for a couple of weeks then all of a sudden was empty again when i asked them about it they said something about a purge valve that maybe faulty

[rsfeller]

Ross,

AC systems don't purge themselves, it has a leak if the refridgerant is gone, plain and simple. Tell them to try harder or find another specialist.

The AC can come on regardless of temperature, for example the defrost mode in ALL late model cars will triger the AC to speed up the evaporation process of condensation on the windshield.

If the system is vacant of refridgerant then the AC compressor would not trigger under any circumstance unless a previous owner removed the high or low pressure sensor switches, which is highly unlikly.

Sounds like you need a better AC troubleshooter. AC is very confusing to those who are not knowledable but once you invest the time it's a very easy system to troubleshoot...only a few things can go wrong.

hi thanks for the reply

when the ac is switched on the pump kicks in as the revs at idle lower for a second could this be something to do with it also when they charged it for a second time it worked fine for a couple of weeks then all of a sudden was empty again when i asked them about it they said something about a purge valve that maybe faulty

The revs tend to drop on my cars as they age and the ac comes on. The concern is just "how much" they drop and for how long until the system recovers. Mind dips a couple hundred RPMs while at idle to, but recovered quickly.

As far as the pruge valve, I really have no idea what that would be. They may mean the value one fills the system with. If that is the case then they really are poor AC troubleshooters as this would be the easiest play to find a leak with dye and a light.

Not sure if this is a dealer or indie shop for all cars, but they do not seem to be strong in the AC department.

[alstarz88]

it was quick fit a large chain in england

[rsfeller]

it was quick fit a large chain in england

Here is the USA there are to "no-no-s" for having people help on unique cars. One is the dealer (aka stealer) and chain stores. They just don't see your unique model enough to know the unque functionality of subsystems such as and automatic HVAC system. I do contridict myself myself some as I always state AC systems are somewhat easy systems and general in their operation. At the same time I NEVER trust a chain that works on every type of make/model in the world. They will waste a lot of your money trying to figure out that which a Porsche indie/specialist will know in 15 minutes. That is just my take on "chain operations".

If you grandma has a Honda or a Ford, it maybe OK but not for your Porsche...