a/c condensers / MC / Front coolant pipes works

[Cito]

Hi all,

I have got some works to be done on my 987.2 Cayman (2.9) and I wa looking for some advices.

 

- I just bought a Gt3 mc which, as it should be a stright forward work to do, I was thinking to get it done from my local mechaninc (which has got a good reputation) rather than my indy, and save some money on labour.

 

- I have to replace the front coolant pipes, as from lat service appeared a very little leak. I have to double check with my indy but for this the quote is around 400 pounds as I have already replaced the lower coolant hose. This work I was thinking to get it done from him as it is supposed to be a quite intricate job to do.

 

- I also have to change the A/C condensers and I was thinking to get this done from the local mechanic.
I saw the kit on the design911 website:

https://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod132771/Air-Conditioning--Air-Con--Radiator-Condenser-Kit-Porsche-996---987---987C---997/

 

and the price is not too bad. I suppose in this kit there will be all the parts required.

I also saw on eBay some parts at a very low price but I suppose is just for the radiators.

So I was wonderning is anyone has got any advice/ suggestion how to tackle these works.

 

Thanks,

Andrea

[Tozerman]

Ac Condensers are really easy to DIY. Getting the bumper off and on again is the hardest part but even that is simple. I did mine in a couple of hours. 

Fittimy own GT3 master cylinder Nd and wished I hadn't. Ended up towing it to my local indy to do properly.. 

Coolant pipes are diyable but I got my indy to them... 

Edited January 12, 2021 by Tozerman

[GlosRich]

When you do the condensers do the receiver dryer also, which is up by the screenwash bottle. Make sure you have the rubber O rings also.

 

If you search on eBay and carparts4less you may get the parts for less than the kit.

 

Remember to get it degassed first.

[Cito]

49 minutes ago, Tozerman said:

Ac Condensers are really easy to DIY. Getting the bumper off and on again is the hardest part but even that is simple. I did mine in a couple of hours. 

Fittimy own GT3 master cylinder Nd and wished I hadn't. Ended up towing it to my local indy to do properly.. 

Coolant pipes are diyable but I got my indy to them... 

 

Thanks,

I would love to do it but on my own I don't feel too confident, unfortunately.

If only I could find someone who is willing to help...

 

Thanks for info anyway!

 

[Cito]

32 minutes ago, GlosRich said:

When you do the condensers do the receiver dryer also, which is up by the screenwash bottle. Make sure you have the rubber O rings also.

 

If you search on eBay and carparts4less you may get the parts for less than the kit.

 

Remember to get it degassed first.

 

Thanks Rich,

noted!

[Tozerman]

1 hour ago, Cito said:

 

Thanks,

I would love to do it but on my own I don't feel too confident, unfortunately.

If only I could find someone who is willing to help...

 

Thanks for info anyway!

 

Where do you live? 

 

[Cito]

7 minutes ago, Tozerman said:

Where do you live? 

 

Bicester. Oxfordshire 

[Tozerman]

8 hours ago, Cito said:

Bicester. Oxfordshire 

Shame you're not nearer to Derby 😢

[Lennym1984]

10 hours ago, Cito said:

Bicester. Oxfordshire 

 

I love in long hanborough near witney and need to do my condensers at some point before the summer. I've done them previously and they are dead easy (I think I spent more time cleaning out debris than I did actually doing the work). Once lock down is over, we could do them together if you want help? Probably best to find a weekend when my wife and kids are out though (I think my wife thinks that 1 porsche disassembled on the driveway is already 1 too many) 

 

ETA: I also have a GT3 MC to fit although most likely I'll do that in the next few weeks. You are welcome to use my scanner to cycle the abs though

Edited January 13, 2021 by Lennym1984

[Cito]

1 minute ago, Lennym1984 said:

 

I love in long hanborough near witney and need to do my condensers at some point before the summer. I've done them previously and they are dead easy (I think I spent more time cleaning out debris than I did actually doing the work). Once lock down is over, we could do them together if you want help? Probably best to find a weekend when my wife and kids are out though (I think my wife thinks that 1 porsche disassembled on the driveway is already 1 too many) 

 

Hi Lenny,

that would be awesome! Thank you very much.

If this is the case I will PM you an start searching the parts.

 

Cheers,

Andrea

[Cito]

12 minutes ago, eponymoose said:

I would probably get the MC done at a specialist. 

 

I know of specialists getting it wrong and leaving the car with a soggy pedal and the potential savings on the labour are probably pretty slim. It's risk / reward. The risk is that they get it wrong and it has to go back in  or worse case you end up having to take it from the generalist to the specialist. The reward is a pretty small savings given it's not an expensive job done right.

 

If you haven't experienced what the pedal should feel like with the MC done right, then there's also the possible doubt factor. Is this right?

 

It's not that a good generalist mechanic can't do it. They can. But like I said it's not an expensive job so there's not all that much to be saved, so probably one for a specialist who is near certain to get it right.

 

If you're happy to DIY, that's a different calculus!

 

Yeah, I thought the same. I think you are correct. I asked for a quote to a generalist mechanic and he asked about 100 pounds + VAT, so I think that for an indy would not be much different but, as you said, at least I have got the peace of mind that the work has been done prperly and I can run without any doubt (at least because I trust my indy and he is very good...I think).

 

Cheers,

Andrea

[sevenfourate]

9 hours ago, Lennym1984 said:

 

I love in long hanborough near witney and need to do my condensers at some point before the summer. I've done them previously and they are dead easy (I think I spent more time cleaning out debris than I did actually doing the work). Once lock down is over, we could do them together if you want help? Probably best to find a weekend when my wife and kids are out though (I think my wife thinks that 1 porsche disassembled on the driveway is already 1 too many) 

 

ETA: I also have a GT3 MC to fit although most likely I'll do that in the next few weeks. You are welcome to use my scanner to cycle the abs though

 

Awesome gesture Lenny....

 

Group hug ❤️ 😎

[Aaron]

It's a MC, it's not rocket science.  Any competent mechanic can fit one correctly.  Just advise them that they will need to bleed twice (once during install, then secondly after activating the ABS a few times) and it'll be fine.  I'm all for a specialist when required, but this isn't one of those occasions.  Your average experienced mech has probably fitted more MCs than a specialist ever will.

 

That said, it's really easy to DIY.  You only need two spanners (13mm for the lines, 10mm for the nipple off my head) and a socket (mighty be 17/18mm) for the mounting bolts.

[sevenfourate]

4 hours ago, Aaron said:

It's a MC, it's not rocket science.  Any competent mechanic can fit one correctly.  Just advise them that they will need to bleed twice (once during install, then secondly after activating the ABS a few times) and it'll be fine.  I'm all for a specialist when required, but this isn't one of those occasions.  Your average experienced mech has probably fitted more MCs than a specialist ever will.

 

That said, it's really easy to DIY.  You only need two spanners (13mm for the lines, 10mm for the nipple off my head) and a socket (mighty be 17/18mm) for the mounting bolts.

 

Kind of agree here.

 

If my car was worth £40k+ and in warranty period etc - an OPC / Porsche Indie would get far more of my business.

 

As it is i share the work carried out on it between non-specialist tasks (Where basic mechanical / electrical 'rules' apply whatever the marque) being done by a local, long-time trusted and may i add very skilled everyday mechanic; and leave the more specialist works (Where if i was the buyer i too would prefer to see in the service records / history) - that these have been carried out by a more Porsche targeted / specific Engineer.

 

Ie: For me: Clutch replacement, IMS seal, RMS seal etc have been carried out by Porsche / Porsche independants, where as handbrake cable replacement, M/cylinder fitting, brake disc replacement i have had carried out by 'John up the road' 😆

 

For what its worth i also always do due relevant research and if i find mention of anything quirky / Porsche Specific in the fitting of any of the seemingly run of the mill items - my mechanic is always appreciative of any pointers, information or tips that i often print out and give to him. No-one can be a specialist in everything. Porsche mechanics included; and as ever information is everything......

 

Good Luck Andrea.

[Cito]

Yes, I kind of agree with you.

First of all the mechanic I am speaking about is not "my usual" mechanic I would with my other car but is a guy near where I live who seemed ok when I spoke with him (I asked him something about a problem I had with my other car).

So, because I liked him an because I felt he needed help (with the current covid situation I am trying to use as much as I can the local shops and I discovered that compared to the internet shopping is not that worse!) I thought that the maste cylinder work and the a/c condersers wuld have been something good for him.

 

But, I asked him a quote about these works and he quoted:

 

- MC £ 100+VAT

- A/C conders £585 + VAT

 

Because my indie quoted the A/C conderses £460 + VAT, I am not really sure to go to him.

 

I thought that probably this is one of those cases where a more specialised engineer would become even cheaper because he is specialised and also I would have the records of the works done from a Porsche authorized mechaninc.

 

I hope it make sense.

 

Thanks for your help!

[Cito]

In case somebody is interested, I found on ebay a seller who has got the o-rings for the a/c condensers at a "human" price. Look for robara1975

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/robara1975?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

 

on the list there is only the 6.7x1.8 but they told me they are going to send the 10.6x2 as well. I don't know why they don't have this measure on the list.