air conditioning in 2024

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four0four
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It's rainy season here in the PNW, and my AC doesn't work, I'm tired of chasing body seals....and I'm quite tired of foggy windows!

I managed to snap an AC line at some point reinstalling my engine (and no, I didn't put new o-rings in when I had it out, but wouldn't that have been wise?), which put the rest of the nails in the coffin that my leaking compressor had already built :D

This means it's approximately the same amount of cash for picking up a new barrier line ($200+ new and half that used!) + compressor and sundries as it is forking out for a Griffith's kit. Which leads me (finally) to my question - Has anyone somewhat recently used these? Is there any real rationale for going with the Kuehl compressor over the rebuild Denso?

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Tom
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I went with the original style (rebuilt) compressor, plus the new barrier hose and parallel flow condenser with r134a, all from Griffiths. It works very well and keeps the cabin cool even in 90-100 degree weather. The Kuehl may be better still, I don't know, but this set with the r134a-friendly condenser does everything I could ask of it. See the full write up in the link below.

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four0four
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oh, duh - I've ever read that guide before :')

unfortunately it seems like that new condenser is NLA, so I'll have to stick with mine. As far as I know it's in decent shape, if old.

unless...I did find this from the ebay store "Cooler Classics" (and that seems to be their primary/only storefront). They produce evaporators and OE style condensers too...tempting :)

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Tom
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NLA, really? I'd call him and confirm that. When I got mine, he joked about how many he had... I've been looking into having a parallel flow condenser made for my old Mercedes, and it does seem there are suppliers out there who make them to order, but it might be cost prohibitive for a 944. I'd call Griffith's and ask him his advice if the condenser is no longer available. The man knows A/C... Maybe the Keuhl compressor will help bridge the gap using a factory condenser with r134a?

Edit: just saw the eBay link. If Griffith's doesn't sell them anymore, the eBay version looks worth a shot to me...

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four0four
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I tried emailing him first, and confirmed that it's NLA :(

Will be forking out for the ebay condenser + keuhl compressor, should do nicely :)

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Tom
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four0four wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 12:00 pm I tried emailing him first, and confirmed that it's NLA :(

Will be forking out for the ebay condenser + keuhl compressor, should do nicely :)
My guess is it will be colder than the day it left the factory floor, even with r134a....

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four0four
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Tom wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 1:56 pm
My guess is it will be colder than the day it left the factory floor, even with r134a....
well, the Griffiths Keuhl kit should be here next week, and the eBay/Cooler Classics condenser Saturday...Will try and get it all set up probably next weekend and then charged some point after that. Will report back about that specifically :D

...That said, won't be very impressive with 40-50 F ambient! So maybe gimme a few months. I'll just be happy if it sucks some of the moisture out.

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Bensnorton
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Any updates on this? How does the eBay condenser look? I’m about to do the same thing

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Ajay213
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I did the Keuhl kit, my condenser was still workable, although it has some bent fin road wear. So I replaced the compressor (the one on the car was broken), and I pulled every hose to replace every o-ring I could easily get to, blew out/cleaned the system as best as I could - replaced the dryer, after that I did both a pressure test and then a final vacuum test (both would hold), refilled with R134a.

With an exterior temp of 95+ (and summer S Fl humidity) at the condenser with a couple of box fans running at the front I get 52 degree vent temps.

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four0four
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I admit I haven't....On nice days I drive the car, on crap days it's a tough ask to work in the garage for several hours!

The ebay condensor looks...fine? It's certainly not as nicely done as the pics of the Keuhl one I've seen. Brackets are a bit rougher, brazing too.

I will certainly update this when I do get around to making progress though :D

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