Carpokes

four0four wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2024 11:44 am 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

Latitude48 wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2024 5:57 pm Porsche P/N 944-573-011-05 is available from various sources, including Sunset Porsche for $596.22 (other look slightly less expensive). I'm checking with Delaware Porsche Parts as their catalog shows it is not available... but I've had issues with their catalog in the past, so I sent them a note today to check, as they generally have the best price, and don't charge sales tax, which is significant for WA State. Behr also makes one.

Since Porsche only shows one P/N for all late model 944s and 968s, I'm assuming this is the 968 style cross-flow condenser suitable for R134A.

four0four wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2024 7:57 pm ashamed to admit it's all in place (in the car) but uncharged. Fitment is fine, I had to finagle some hoses around but that's largely due to my oil cooler setup.

Not even in town at the moment and I've been in and out a lot recently, but it's top of the list for when I am back with some time and energy.

Tom, did yours fail?!

Tom wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2024 6:51 pm

Latitude48 wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2024 5:57 pm Porsche P/N 944-573-011-05 is available from various sources, including Sunset Porsche for $596.22 (other look slightly less expensive). I'm checking with Delaware Porsche Parts as their catalog shows it is not available... but I've had issues with their catalog in the past, so I sent them a note today to check, as they generally have the best price, and don't charge sales tax, which is significant for WA State. Behr also makes one.

Since Porsche only shows one P/N for all late model 944s and 968s, I'm assuming this is the 968 style cross-flow condenser suitable for R134A.

Hmmm.... I was about to say I'm looking for a parallel flow condenser but you last point about the 968 is interesting. What year did Porsche switch over to r134a? I had a '93 rx7 that was still r12. If you google for this condenser, every picture posted shows the old tube and fin design, like the one that came with my car (and that I still have if needed). For example, here's the one from Pelican... So I guess I'm not optimistic that Porsche is now selling a parallel flow condenser in lieu of the old style, but I'd buy one in a heartbeat if that turns out to be the case!

Tom wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2024 8:13 pm <...>

I'll take it to a radiator shop this week to see if they can fix it, but otherwise I'll get the eBay one. Based on what you know so far, any reason for me not to get one? I could always put the factory one back in, if the eBay one is junk...

dr bob wrote: Mon Jun 10, 2024 10:09 am

Tom wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2024 8:13 pm <...>

I'll take it to a radiator shop this week to see if they can fix it, but otherwise I'll get the eBay one. Based on what you know so far, any reason for me not to get one? I could always put the factory one back in, if the eBay one is junk...

My experience: Radiator shops are hit-or-miss on their ability to correctly TIG the aluminum. They are used to systems that need to hold maybe 20 PSI, vs. the 400+ relief pressure that a R134a conversion might see. Consider shifting your search slightly to a real AC shop. Telltales of someone who knows what they are doing include thoroughly cleaning from the inside too, with a final pressurized 'rinse' with acetone. All the old oil needs to come out or risk contaminating the weld, a disaster from which recovery is a LOT tougher. It gets a continuous very low-pressure argon purge from inside while the actual welding is done, in addition to the argon blanket from the torch.

There are certainly some very good shops that do both radiators and AC, I think you'll want to use your dominant search eye to focus on the actual repair capability.