A/C in 1988 Carerra In AZ!

[ashley1]

Thinking about purchasing a 1988 Carerra in what appears to be excellent condition, both in and out. Anyone here live in AZ? Is the A/C sufficient for driving in the summer in Phoenix?Mesa/Tempe? Also looking for a reputable local shop that I can depend on to do things I cannot. Thanks, Bob..I am new to this site as of today!

[86targa]

Thinking about purchasing a 1988 Carerra in what appears to be excellent condition, both in and out. Anyone here live in AZ? Is the A/C sufficient for driving in the summer in Phoenix?Mesa/Tempe? Also looking for a reputable local shop that I can depend on to do things I cannot. Thanks, Bob..I am new to this site as of today!

Bob,

As you well know, the 911 is not the best of vehicles for A/C.

During a visit to Weissach while picking up our '86, we were advised by

the-then president of Porsche that Porsche never intended to install A/C

on the 911 but did so due to customer demands.

Additionally, he made it clear that this was a best-can-do approach.

The main issues are, the compressor is remote to the evaporator, and the front condenser

is parallel to the pavement.

Most cars have the condenser perpendicular for good airflow (cooling), and the compressor is

adjacent to the evaporator.

Thus the reason for the condensor fan on the 911's.

However, here are some ideas.

We have owned several 911's, a '89 930 and never had good A/C until we upgraded

to the ProCooler system.

The system is a design which does NOT require any body modifications, and has worked very

well for our '86.

I would recommend replacement of the dryer, evaporator, and condenser with the ProCooler

system.

Since this requires removal of the R12, be sure that whoever does your work stores/replaces your

R12 as this operation does not require new R12.

The temperature switch (not the dial) on your console should be adjusted

to de-activate the compressor between 38 and 42 degrees F @ the center duct on a 72 degree day.

After these upgrades, we have 45F air (on the road) on a 95 degree day on trips to Palm Springs.

The one thing you have in your favor is the low humidity.

High humidity promotes condensation on the evaporator, causing the blockage of air flow,

humid air, and reduced performance.

Also keep in mind that you can incur evaporator freeze-up if your A/C runs too cold.

We keep our A/C temp switch at the third notch on the dial, and the fan at the highest setting.

ProCooler/Rennaire has a Website.

Good luck!

Gerry

Edited July 30, 2009 by 86targa

[ashley1]

Gerry, Thank you for the information...just drove a very nice 99 Carerra sunroof on Sunday AM...in the mountains of AZ...A/C seemed OK, but had doubts that it would suffice in the valley (Phoenix area)...Bob

[86targa]

Bob,

Go for the '98 993!

You won't regret it..........

I wish I had one!

Gerry

[wwest]

Thinking about purchasing a 1988 Carerra in what appears to be excellent condition, both in and out. Anyone here live in AZ? Is the A/C sufficient for driving in the summer in Phoenix?Mesa/Tempe? Also looking for a reputable local shop that I can depend on to do things I cannot. Thanks, Bob..I am new to this site as of today!

I have an '88 911 Carrera Special Edition and the A/C is NOT satisfactory even here in the Seattle area. My current plan is to add a rear spoiler so I have room to mount a set (6..?) of 12 volt high volume computer cooling fans under the spoiler to force airflow through the rear lid mounted condensor.

[86targa]

Thinking about purchasing a 1988 Carerra in what appears to be excellent condition, both in and out. Anyone here live in AZ? Is the A/C sufficient for driving in the summer in Phoenix?Mesa/Tempe? Also looking for a reputable local shop that I can depend on to do things I cannot. Thanks, Bob..I am new to this site as of today!

I have an '88 911 Carrera Special Edition and the A/C is NOT satisfactory even here in the Seattle area. My current plan is to add a rear spoiler so I have room to mount a set (6..?) of 12 volt high volume computer cooling fans under the spoiler to force airflow through the rear lid mounted condensor.

Bob,

Your evaporator is a very low airflow design, the condenser is a low effiency design, and as per my post,

our '86 produces 45F air on a 95F day, and 35F air on an 80F day with excellent airflow into the passenger

compartment.

Please read my post on this subject to Ashley1 as your proposed fix will not do much for your A/C dilemna.

ProCooler has a website.

Send me an Email if you need more info.

We had a secondary residence in West Seattle for two years. Nice folks in Seattle.

Good luck,

Gerry

Edited July 12, 2009 by 86targa