996 air con condenser

[NeilC4S]

I need to replace one of the condensers on my C4S and was going to attempt it myself. Just looking around for parts I have found this copy which is loads cheaper than design 911 etc. Does anybody have any thoughts or has used one before? Is it just going to spring a leak?

http://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/Car-Air-Condition...

Thanks for any input

Neil

[6C4GTS]

NeilC4S said:

I need to replace one of the condensers on my C4S and was going to attempt it myself. Just looking around for parts I have found this copy which is loads cheaper than design 911 etc. Does anybody have any thoughts or has used one before? Is it just going to spring a leak?

http://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/Car-Air-Condition...

Thanks for any input

Neil

YHM - sorry for delay............

[surfymark]

6C4GTS said:

YHM - sorry for delay............

I was looking at this too. Was your mail about the condenser because if so could I have copy too please?

thanks
MArk

[TonyB66]

Looks like I need to replace mine soon to. Spoke to Jaz Porsche about this very issue (cheaper condensors). Their advice was - BE CAREFUL, some of the cheap replacements do not fit well (e.g.mounting tabs in the wrong place). As the old saying goes - You get what you pay for (a lot of the time). There are cheaper alternatives than stock Porsche from the OEM that you can get that will at least fit without any issues and you will save £80-£125

http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod3521/Radiator-Ai...

Edited by TonyB66 on Thursday 5th May 16:33

[NeilC4S]

6C4GTS said:

YHM - sorry for delay............

No problem

thanks for the info.

I will give it a whirl and let people know how I get on.

Neil

[6C4GTS]

surfymark said:

I was looking at this too. Was your mail about the condenser because if so could I have copy too please?

thanks
MArk

YHM;)

[6C4GTS]

TonyB66 said:

Looks like I need to replace mine soon to. Spoke to Jaz Porsche about this very issue (cheaper condensors). Their advice was - BE CAREFUL, some of the cheap replacements do not fit well (e.g.mounting tabs in the wrong place). As the old saying goes - You get what you pay for (a lot of the time). There are cheaper alternatives than stock Porsche from the OEM that you can get that will at least fit without any issues and you will save £80-£125

http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod3521/Radiator-Ai...

Edited by TonyB66 on Thursday 5th May 16:33

Tony this link is for a narrow body condensor - not suitable for a C4S or a turbo as the inlet and outlet are positioned differently.

The ones that Neil linked to fit a C4S or Turbo.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[PhilD]

I followed the advice of 6C4GTS and sourced some Condensers for my C4S this week. They were indistinguishable from the ones already on the car and my pocket is quite a bit heavier than it could have been had I bought elsewhere. Only time will tell on the quality but they fit well and look well made. I had no leaks when they checked and regassed the system too.

So thanks and kudos to 6C4GTS

Cheers, Phil

Edited by PhilD on Friday 6th May 13:48

[rhkumar]

PhilD said:

I followed the advice of 6C4GTS and sourced some Condensers for my C4S this week. They were indistinguishable from the ones already on the car and my pocket is quite a bit heavier than it could have been had I bought elsewhere. Only time will tell on the quality but they fit well and look well made. I had no leaks when they checked and regarded the system too.

So thanks and kudos to 6C4GTS

Cheers, Phil

Hi Phil, where did you source the condensers from in the end? I'm looking at getting a pair for my 996 C4S too. Thanks
Roy

[6C4GTS]

rhkumar said:

Hi Phil, where did you source the condensers from in the end? I'm looking at getting a pair for my 996 C4S too. Thanks
Roy

These ones..........
http://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/Car-Air-Condition...

[NeilC4S]

Ok here is an update on the condenser.

First thanks to EVOSLAYER for the guide to install.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


The parts arrived next day, box ominously marked made in Thailand!

The condenser looks ok welds and general construction are good.

First removal of the old condenser shows the amountof rubbish that builds up in between the 2 rads.



Here is pic of the original and new part side by side. The new part is the aluminium coloured one.



The two parts were identical hole to hole and it slotted in with no problems. The rad was delivered pressurised not sure if this is standard or not.

The whole lot went back together and I had the car regassed by a mobile company prior to putting it all back together again.

I will let you know if it develops a leak! (fingers crossed)

Edited by NeilC4S on Monday 16th May 11:39

[JimC2]

NeilC4S said:

Ok here is an update on the condenser.

First thanks to EVOSLAYER for the guide to install.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


The parts arrived next day, box ominously marked made in Thailand!

The condenser looks ok welds and general construction are good.

First removal of the old condenser shows the amountof rubbish that builds up in between the 2 rads.



Here is pic of the original and new part side by side. The new part is the aluminium coloured one.



The two parts were identical hole to hole and it slotted in with no problems. The rad was delivered pressurised not sure if this is standard or not.

The whole lot went back together and I had the car regassed by a mobile company prior to putting it all back together again.

I will let you know if it develops a leak! (fingers crossed)

Edited by NeilC4S on Monday 16th May 11:39

Hi Neil
Great post.
Just a couple of questions as I'm about to do the same job next week.

DId you need to order of change any o-rings when changing the condensers? On some websites it lists new o-rings next to the condensers presumable to encourage you to buy.

DId you lubricate the connections of the condensers with any ac oil, and which one?

How are the condensers from your supplier, I guess no news is good news

Thanks

[NeilC4S]

Hi

Yes it is all back together now and working well.

I did change the o-rings but I didn't lubricate them. TBH there was oil left in the pipes so this provided a bit of lube. The recharge gas contained lubricating oil for the system/pump.

While I had the bumper off I installed the Zunsport grills. They don't look standard like the various mesh inserts people do, in black they don't look to chavy. Zunsport say you can install these without removing the bumper. I certainly would have strugled!


Neil

[JimC2]

Thanks Neil
Can you remember where you got the o-rings, I'm having some trouble sourcing any?
Are they 14mm?
The Zunsport grills are a good idea and look great, unfortunately they don't list any for the facelifted 996 from 2001.

James

[Nobby Diesel]

JimC2 said:

Thanks Neil
Can you remember where you got the o-rings, I'm having some trouble sourcing any?
Are they 14mm?
The Zunsport grills are a good idea and look great, unfortunately they don't list any for the facelifted 996 from 2001.

James

OPC - they cost pennies.

[6C4GTS]

Nobby Diesel said:

JimC2 said:

Thanks Neil
Can you remember where you got the o-rings, I'm having some trouble sourcing any?
Are they 14mm?
The Zunsport grills are a good idea and look great, unfortunately they don't list any for the facelifted 996 from 2001.

James

OPC - they cost pennies.

Actually about 598 pennies for what is required but then again with the saving from the non OPC condensors I thought I would treat myself! Cheapest trip to teh OPC parts desk in a long while!

[NeilC4S]

I got mine from design 911

http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod12525/Radiator-A...

Neil

[JimC2]

Thanks for all the advice.

Took the plunge this afternoon and was up and running within 3h including regas and test. Both condensers were leaking, there'd been a birdstrike on the right side!!

Cooling fan behind left rad not working... next job!!!

[jamesfr]

bump of old post!!

so guys if you are still on here what were these cheap condensers like

http://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/car-air-condition...

did they last long??

[NeilC4S]

Sold my car in may this year they were still working then. I had the bumper off to remove debris etc and they looked factory fresh.

Hth

Neil