997 Aircon Condensers... Cheap!
Discussion
Recently my 997 lost its aircon, and after some investigations (and 2 goes at regassing by Kwikfit), at service time, my indy suggested that it was probably the nearside condenser which was to blame, and quoted me £350 + VAT + fitting to replace one side!
Well, knowing nothing about the real price of such things, I thought it was a bit on the pricy side, so took the car home, and indulged in a little internet bashing to find out whether or not a deal could be had, and if it was a DIY job.
Well, I'm pleased to report that I managed to score a PAIR of condensers, direct from Germany which have arrived today, intriguingly with Metzger tape on the boxes, and they cost the princely sum of £114 inc. VAT for the pair, delivered to my door.
Now, the next job is to see about fitting them. Anyone been down this route before? Any hints and tips?
Well, knowing nothing about the real price of such things, I thought it was a bit on the pricy side, so took the car home, and indulged in a little internet bashing to find out whether or not a deal could be had, and if it was a DIY job.
Well, I'm pleased to report that I managed to score a PAIR of condensers, direct from Germany which have arrived today, intriguingly with Metzger tape on the boxes, and they cost the princely sum of £114 inc. VAT for the pair, delivered to my door.
Now, the next job is to see about fitting them. Anyone been down this route before? Any hints and tips?
Any extra bits I might need. I saw on the Porscheshop website that they sell O rings for the fittings... Because my car is still together, I don't know if the old ones will be fubared, and I don't want to take the car to bits and find that its going to stay like that for a week while some new bits have to be ordered.
Getting the bumper off looks to be a fairly straightforward job, if the pictures on the internet are to be believed.
I think that in addition to cleaning out the rads, Im going to coat the lot with ACF50, and maybe some grilles are a good idea too.
Getting the bumper off looks to be a fairly straightforward job, if the pictures on the internet are to be believed.
I think that in addition to cleaning out the rads, Im going to coat the lot with ACF50, and maybe some grilles are a good idea too.
Chewykneeslider said:
Well, I'm pleased to report that I managed to score a PAIR of condensers, direct from Germany which have arrived today, intriguingly with Metzger tape on the boxes, and they cost the princely sum of £114 inc. VAT for the pair, delivered to my door.
That's a really good price. I need to do my off-side condenser soon, but will do both to make a proper job of it. Do you have a link to them?
The source of condensers is Buycarparts.co.uk I will warn you that the website is rubbish, and they are not based in the UK at all, but in Germany.
I'd be cautious of putting your card details into their form, because its not an https prefix, so I used the phone number to call them up. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just a very satisfied customer. I was so surprised that they were so cheap, less than half the price of the normal discount parts vendors, and the quality looks excellent.
So, any ideas for a source for some O rings? I was kind of hoping that they would be in the boxes with the condensers.
I'd be cautious of putting your card details into their form, because its not an https prefix, so I used the phone number to call them up. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just a very satisfied customer. I was so surprised that they were so cheap, less than half the price of the normal discount parts vendors, and the quality looks excellent.
So, any ideas for a source for some O rings? I was kind of hoping that they would be in the boxes with the condensers.
Well done. I just bought mine "cheaply" but at 150 the pair, however they seem to be different for the Turbo.
Nevertheless new o-rings are a MUST. The way they seal, the o-ring is crushed, and you will find green pancakes when the pipework is removed.
I bought all my bits from Porschapart good pricing and great service.
Oh and one other thing, if you have not fully depressurised / leaked you will get a bang when you remove the pipework! Just make sure your head has clearance ;-)
And yet another - recommended to replace the "dryer / receiver" a very simple device so bought off Ebay for 20-something odd. O rings here again, though the old ones are usually serviceable.
Some info - for the Turbo but probably applies.
Aircon condenser o rings
10.6x2 off Porsche catalog, my measurements on a distorted one, 11x2 so go for former.
PN 999 707 250 40 x4
Dryer-receiver o-ring for gas 6.7x1.8 confirmed size
PN 999 707 262 40 x1
Nevertheless new o-rings are a MUST. The way they seal, the o-ring is crushed, and you will find green pancakes when the pipework is removed.
I bought all my bits from Porschapart good pricing and great service.
Oh and one other thing, if you have not fully depressurised / leaked you will get a bang when you remove the pipework! Just make sure your head has clearance ;-)
And yet another - recommended to replace the "dryer / receiver" a very simple device so bought off Ebay for 20-something odd. O rings here again, though the old ones are usually serviceable.
Some info - for the Turbo but probably applies.
Aircon condenser o rings
10.6x2 off Porsche catalog, my measurements on a distorted one, 11x2 so go for former.
PN 999 707 250 40 x4
Dryer-receiver o-ring for gas 6.7x1.8 confirmed size
PN 999 707 262 40 x1
996TT02 said:
Well done. I just bought mine "cheaply" but at 150 the pair, however they seem to be different for the Turbo.
Nevertheless new o-rings are a MUST. The way they seal, the o-ring is crushed, and you will find green pancakes when the pipework is removed.
I bought all my bits from Porschapart good pricing and great service.
Oh and one other thing, if you have not fully depressurised / leaked you will get a bang when you remove the pipework! Just make sure your head has clearance ;-)
And yet another - recommended to replace the "dryer / receiver" a very simple device so bought off Ebay for 20-something odd. O rings here again, though the old ones are usually serviceable.
Some info - for the Turbo but probably applies.
Aircon condenser o rings
10.6x2 off Porsche catalog, my measurements on a distorted one, 11x2 so go for former.
PN 999 707 250 40 x4
Dryer-receiver o-ring for gas 6.7x1.8 confirmed size
PN 999 707 262 40 x1
Thanks for this. I've just ordered a dryer receiver from Ebay, and I'm going to be near to an OPC next week, so will call in to see about O rings. Nevertheless new o-rings are a MUST. The way they seal, the o-ring is crushed, and you will find green pancakes when the pipework is removed.
I bought all my bits from Porschapart good pricing and great service.
Oh and one other thing, if you have not fully depressurised / leaked you will get a bang when you remove the pipework! Just make sure your head has clearance ;-)
And yet another - recommended to replace the "dryer / receiver" a very simple device so bought off Ebay for 20-something odd. O rings here again, though the old ones are usually serviceable.
Some info - for the Turbo but probably applies.
Aircon condenser o rings
10.6x2 off Porsche catalog, my measurements on a distorted one, 11x2 so go for former.
PN 999 707 250 40 x4
Dryer-receiver o-ring for gas 6.7x1.8 confirmed size
PN 999 707 262 40 x1
I wonder how long its going to be before someone is buying these condensers from Germany, and then punting them on at £10 more each through Ebay?
I will be breaking out the spanners when I've got all the parts together. Might have to post some pics and let you know how it all goes.
Condenser o-rings cost me 6 quid for 4 from porschapart. Not pennies but cheaper than 13 quid anyway.
Need to update that the receiver dryer takes two o-rings not as mistakenly posted above. I would not worry too much about these however.
Removal of the 996 bumper is not difficult but if the 997 is anything like it I would strongly recommend that you start off with, as a must, jacking up the entire front of the car and removing the front wheels. It makes a huge difference to removing the wheelarch liners.
Perhaps you know this, but since you need axle stands at the front - at the very same front jacking points (!) - if you jack up the vehicle from the rear, eventually the front will lift as well.
And, I would use a few tagged ziplock bags with provenance details to store the screws as you remove them...
Especially as you may, once you remove the condensers, find a pile of compost between them and the radiators, and may have a think about them, too... usually the condensers will fail for this reason, which affects the radiators just as badly. In fact they can leak even if they look to be in reasonable condition. With any luck you will be lucky and not discover any dampness of the coolant-smelling kind. I would also inspect the area around the hoses, where they enter the radiators.
Point being, car may be OOS for longer than you imagine so don't rely on memory as to what goes where.
Need to update that the receiver dryer takes two o-rings not as mistakenly posted above. I would not worry too much about these however.
Removal of the 996 bumper is not difficult but if the 997 is anything like it I would strongly recommend that you start off with, as a must, jacking up the entire front of the car and removing the front wheels. It makes a huge difference to removing the wheelarch liners.
Perhaps you know this, but since you need axle stands at the front - at the very same front jacking points (!) - if you jack up the vehicle from the rear, eventually the front will lift as well.
And, I would use a few tagged ziplock bags with provenance details to store the screws as you remove them...
Especially as you may, once you remove the condensers, find a pile of compost between them and the radiators, and may have a think about them, too... usually the condensers will fail for this reason, which affects the radiators just as badly. In fact they can leak even if they look to be in reasonable condition. With any luck you will be lucky and not discover any dampness of the coolant-smelling kind. I would also inspect the area around the hoses, where they enter the radiators.
Point being, car may be OOS for longer than you imagine so don't rely on memory as to what goes where.
Guys, a quick thread ressurection here. I probably need new condensers for my 997, currently debating whether to buy the less expensive ones as highlighted above (~£60) or go for the branded ones such as Delphi / Hella etc.
Any feedback to help me decide? On any other part I would normally only go Porsche branded, but its not like the factory items are that great and I have the sneaking suspicion that they all come out of the same factory!
Thanks
I don't see why you should not go for the cheaper ones. It's not like any damage will be caused to anything else were a condenser to fail, and judging by the looks of mine, they don't look like they are in any way inferior to the oem ones I had fitted.
One very minor thing to note, the holes for the hose securing bolts (well, one on each) appear to be drilled for bolts that are slightly shorter. No biggie, you need 2 very slightly shorter M8 bolts. Or take a hacksaw to the originals (and round off the sharp edges of the cut with file...) Naturally, only applies if you buy the same type as I did, just mentioning it so you don't go trying to force in the factory bolts till they seat.
Other than that, the fit, etc, was perfect.
One very minor thing to note, the holes for the hose securing bolts (well, one on each) appear to be drilled for bolts that are slightly shorter. No biggie, you need 2 very slightly shorter M8 bolts. Or take a hacksaw to the originals (and round off the sharp edges of the cut with file...) Naturally, only applies if you buy the same type as I did, just mentioning it so you don't go trying to force in the factory bolts till they seat.
Other than that, the fit, etc, was perfect.
Just spotted that my old thread was resurrected!
Just to recap, as the previous poster pointed out, the 8mm bolts for the pipework to the condensers need to be shortened a little, and the plastic frames that the condensers sit in need a little fettling before the new condensers go in OK.
Apart from that, it was a straightforward job.
The only fly in this otherwise peachy ointment was that when I installed my expensively bought new O rings, I coated them in grease so they went in without snagging. Big mistake! The grease ate the O ring material, and I had to replace them all, and regas (cheers Kwikfit, again!)
I would go for the pattern condensers again, any time.
Just to recap, as the previous poster pointed out, the 8mm bolts for the pipework to the condensers need to be shortened a little, and the plastic frames that the condensers sit in need a little fettling before the new condensers go in OK.
Apart from that, it was a straightforward job.
The only fly in this otherwise peachy ointment was that when I installed my expensively bought new O rings, I coated them in grease so they went in without snagging. Big mistake! The grease ate the O ring material, and I had to replace them all, and regas (cheers Kwikfit, again!)
I would go for the pattern condensers again, any time.
R129 300SL said:
Hi
Doing this job at the moment on a 996 4S.
As regards the bolts being too long. Instead of cutting them, maybe use a thick washer instead to compensate for their length.
Will update my thread with pics hopefully in a day or so.
Did you manage to get this done? Am about to buy the condensers so any extra feedback would be great.Doing this job at the moment on a 996 4S.
As regards the bolts being too long. Instead of cutting them, maybe use a thick washer instead to compensate for their length.
Will update my thread with pics hopefully in a day or so.
Thanks
Hi
Managed to complete a couple of weeks ago. Not filled with gas yet.
The pattern coolant radiators (EIS) from Eurocarparts were not as good as oem. However after filling the coolant and running the engine they seem ok and do not leak. They worked out at half price compared to oem from Eurocarparts. £145 vs £300.
The condensers were an easy fit. Bolts were no problem and were the correct length. New o rings were used. Quality appears ok although the aluminium fins bend easily. They are also silver as compared the oem which were sprayed black.
Bumper is back on and will get the AC refilled in a couple of weeks when I will start using the car.
Here are a couple of pics of the new rads (4 of them).
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/E2JNRyVN.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/ex12nN0k" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/ex12nN0k.jpg)
Managed to complete a couple of weeks ago. Not filled with gas yet.
The pattern coolant radiators (EIS) from Eurocarparts were not as good as oem. However after filling the coolant and running the engine they seem ok and do not leak. They worked out at half price compared to oem from Eurocarparts. £145 vs £300.
The condensers were an easy fit. Bolts were no problem and were the correct length. New o rings were used. Quality appears ok although the aluminium fins bend easily. They are also silver as compared the oem which were sprayed black.
Bumper is back on and will get the AC refilled in a couple of weeks when I will start using the car.
Here are a couple of pics of the new rads (4 of them).
R129 300SL said:
Hi
Managed to complete a couple of weeks ago. Not filled with gas yet.
The pattern coolant radiators (EIS) from Eurocarparts were not as good as oem. However after filling the coolant and running the engine they seem ok and do not leak. They worked out at half price compared to oem from Eurocarparts. £145 vs £300.
The condensers were an easy fit. Bolts were no problem and were the correct length. New o rings were used. Quality appears ok although the aluminium fins bend easily. They are also silver as compared the oem which were sprayed black.
Bumper is back on and will get the AC refilled in a couple of weeks when I will start using the car.
Here are a couple of pics of the new rads (4 of them).
Thanks for the quick reply! I assume you went with EIS for the condensers too then? Managed to complete a couple of weeks ago. Not filled with gas yet.
The pattern coolant radiators (EIS) from Eurocarparts were not as good as oem. However after filling the coolant and running the engine they seem ok and do not leak. They worked out at half price compared to oem from Eurocarparts. £145 vs £300.
The condensers were an easy fit. Bolts were no problem and were the correct length. New o rings were used. Quality appears ok although the aluminium fins bend easily. They are also silver as compared the oem which were sprayed black.
Bumper is back on and will get the AC refilled in a couple of weeks when I will start using the car.
Here are a couple of pics of the new rads (4 of them).
I've found "Frigair" ones
http://www.buycarparts.co.uk/porsche/911-997/18061...
also another non named brand sold by advanced radiators:
http://www.adrad.co.uk/prices/aircon_prices.php?ty...
I wonder whether these are the EIS ones or someone else.
Make sure you change the dryer as well before recharging with the gas!
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