924Board.org

stexch · Joined: 05 Dec 2003 Posts: 90 Location: Mankato, KS, USA

Ater over a year under construction, my 924 will be coming home soon. It has factory air, but the belt has been removed, so I'm guessing that my compressor is toast. Should I pursue resurrecting my factory a/c, or go with one of the generic after-market underdash units? Some of my street rod friends swear by the units made by Southern Air and other, but I don't know if I've got enough under-dash room for one. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

skemcin · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 1284 Location: Plainfield, IL

stexch · Joined: 05 Dec 2003 Posts: 90 Location: Mankato, KS, USA

I'm wanting to use mine for a daily driver, and our summer temps in Kansas can get up to 105F, so a/c is about a must if you're going more than a few miles. My concern is that sometimes older vehicles a/c systems don't like to hold their freon, so I hesitate to pay to have the factory system redone if it won't hold its freon. Anyone have any experience with these systems?

Smoothie · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 7:00 am Post subject:

Mine is working fine, but it's been in regular use for as long as I've had it, plus I'd assume all the way back to '82 when it was new. In your situation, I'd prefer to keep the factory ac. I'd flush it, vacuum it and try an R134 conversion - but that's just me and I happen to already have the tools. -But if only the belt's been removed and the system hasn't been opened, there's a chance that it's in good shape internally - possible even that it doesn't need to be flushed and vacuumed, but you'd need to recharge with R-12 if not. (Flushing and vacuuming would be required if switching to R-134.) So, if you have access to a few orphaned cans of R-12 and don't mind the possibility of it escaping in case you have a leak, that might be an option. Otherwise, I'd either bring it to an ac shop for a leak test, flush, vac, R134 convert -or- do it myself with the realization that there might turn out to be a leak somewhere that would necessitate fixing followed by another vac and recharge.
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

Paul · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 10:02 am Post subject:

If it's a 78 924, even when the car was new, the factory A/C was useless above 80 degrees.

D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE