Buying a 996 with A/C broken....

[Saddlebag]

More questions!

Have found a 996 which has had lots of work done, as you would expect at the mileage.

However, the only glitch is that he says the A/C is not working. He says he has not had it diagnosed, but suspects that it just needs a re gas.

Are there any "usual" failings for the 996 air con?

Its a good deal and I am wondering if its worth the risk.

Thanks all.

[Saddlebag]

Sorry, pressed the button twice-duplicate post.

[911Ads]

yes, the aircon condensors rot due to leaves (just like the radiators) - you may be able to see them through the front bumper vents.

[Saddlebag]

He has had the condensor checked and 1 replaced at the last service.

[computamedic]

If all it needs is a regas get him to take it along to KwiKFit and get it done. A/C problems can get VERY expensive if it turns out that the evaporator has a problem or the compressor is leaking etc. etc. A regas is very cheap by comparison so let him put his money where his mouth is.

[Tino]

An aircon regas is cheap, so cannot see why a seller wouldn't get it done pre sale.
Its very likely that there is a leak somewhere.
Mine hasn't been topped up in 3 years and is still working fine

[sportsandclassic]

Hello,

There are a number of things that can go wrong with the air-conditioning system on that car and they are:

• Condensers
• Low pressure pipe underneath car
• Compressor

Not really had anything else go wrong with the systems in all fairness. A bit more on a 997 but not 996.

If it is the low pressure pipe then budget around £400-00, If compressor is gone then get a used one and job should be around £350.00
If condensers are damaged then budget around £450.00.

Hope that helps.

Mike

[mollytherocker]

Saddlebag said:

However, the only glitch is that he says the A/C is not working.

What about the rest of the car? Have you checked it?

MTR

[Podie]

Friend of mine bought a 996 with duff aircon. Thus far, it's taken 6 months and a lot of cash and it's still not working.

If it "just needed a re-gas" the owner would have done it.

[911Ads]

computamedic said:

If all it needs is a regas get him to take it along to KwiKFit and get it done. A/C problems can get VERY expensive if it turns out that the evaporator has a problem or the compressor is leaking etc. etc. A regas is very cheap by comparison so let him put his money where his mouth is.

+1

[Saddlebag]

Good idea-I will ask him to re fill.

Thank you.

[Pugley]

As said by others, if it only needed a re-gas then as its a cheap job at Kwik Fit it would probably have been done.

If the seller is telling porkies - what other things are you being deceived about?

As also said there is nothing you cant fix on 996 aircon. The compressor is Nippon Denso, the rads can be purchased from many sources and any pipes can be purchased from Porsche.

Not a deal breaker!

[chris_w]

Saddlebag said:

Good idea-I will ask him to re fill.

And it will blow cold... for a while, depending on how bad the leak is. I've spent a bit of cash on having the pipework replaced, I'd see if a regasser can do a pressure test on the system.

[RatBoy M3CSL]

..Just been thro'exactly this on my 4S.. the gas escaped over the winter and I only noticed last week when I turned it on..

Pump is £500 exchange
Pipes are £150 and £180 each resp
Rads are £275
Plus a good indies labour rates..

1st step is to re-gas it and make sure the solenoid kicks the pump in, it may work for an hour or so pending how bad the leak is, but you can prove if the pump works or not, then it's most likely the rads at the front.. mine just cost me a grand to fix with 2 rads/labour and re-gas.

If your buying it with the A/C broken, he can regas and prove the pump works, or buy it with £1750 deducted to factor in a worst case fix price..

[F3RNANDO]

I think you are actually lucky....if its the condensors or the pipes...by far the most likely, a fly seller would have regassed it for 50 quid and it would have worked fine on a test drive. 2 weeks later you don't have any aircon and it will be yours to fix!

[squeezebm]

computamedic said:

If all it needs is a regas get him to take it along to KwiKFit and get it done. A/C problems can get VERY expensive if it turns out that the evaporator has a problem or the compressor is leaking etc. etc. A regas is very cheap by comparison so let him put his money where his mouth
is.

Can you tell me how many compressors you have had " leaking" please?

[steve singh]

99% of the time when someone says air con needs a regass it is generally pointed to the fact the system is knackered.

In all my cars I use air-con year round and not once had an issue - so you could be lucky and be in the 1% if it just hasn't been used.

It's not a deal breaker - but budget accordingly.

Also, if I recall correctly, the 996 air con pipes run close to the front wheel jacking points and they can be crushed by a heavy handed tyre fitter ?

[computamedic]

squeezebm said:

Can you tell me how many compressors you have had " leaking" please?

The one on my 964 for a start. The seals around the central spindle can develop leaks if the system lies unused for a significant amount of time. A system test with a "sniffer" can detect small amounts of leakage around the compressor (or anywhere else).

[Saddlebag]

This is what the seller has said regarding the A/C:

"Front and rear discs and pads changed at last service along with brake pipes, the car has only done a few hundred miles since then.

O/S radiator replaced and N/S checked along with condensers and all ok, air con not currently working, this has not been diagnosed but suspect it needs a re-gas.

The car drives fine and has no mechanical issues, gear box all ok and has had a new clutch about 10,000 miles ago

All heater controls and blower motors are working fine and the air con was working, its just not getting cold now. I have only done a few hundred miles over the last year and hadn't noticed, so couldn't tell you if it suddenly stopped working or if it gradually got worse."

Hmmmm.

[squeezebm]

computamedic said:

The one on my 964 for a start. The seals around the central spindle can develop leaks if the system lies unused for a significant amount of time. A system test with a "sniffer" can detect small amounts of leakage around the compressor (or anywhere else).

Really

Have you got any pics of the compressor by any chance??