Porsche 911UK Forum

Welcome to the @Porsche911UK website. Register a free account today to become a member! Sign up is quick and easy, then you can view, participate in topics and posts across the site that covers all things Porsche.

Already registered and looking to recovery your account, select 'login in' and then the 'forget your password' option.

Diagnosed AC leak, next steps or any work arounds?

jags320i

Member
Joined
31 Aug 2017
Messages
15
Hi guys,

After 6 months of ownership I've come across my first conundrum on my 997.1 C4s.

I had my AC recharged however after week or so and I noticed that the AC was not cold no more. So I booked it in with a Porsche specialist and they diagnosed it to be a leaky pipe near the O/S/R arch. They showed me where the leak was and it was quite prominent of oil/liquid had leaked around that area.

I've attached a pic of the pipe in question (note: the pic is taken from google - not actual pic of my car):

Now here's the snag... The pipe itself is not expensive however it runs over and above the engine and to the rear of the engine bay. To change the pipe I have been told that you will have to drop the engine to feed/replace the pipe. I was quoted just over £1200. :eek:

Now its been a couple of days and I have thought about this... :?: I dont think it is worth all that effort to drop the engine and change the pipe. I like AC but i dont like it as much as dropping £1200 on it, plus summer is over - right?:grin: I thought to myself its best to stalled this job until there is a real necessity to drop the engine in the future for another job and I will then replace the pipe.

However giving it some further though this evening, where the technician showed me where the leak O/S/R arch it seemed to be at the connection/joint point. So i guess the joint has given way either dried out O rings or seals.

Has anyone tried to attempt to actually repair the pipe in situ by using some sort of plumbers tape, putty, filler or even replace the seals/o rings?

Is there a work around to repair the pipe from the connection point?

Sorry i dont have any actual pics but Ill try and get the car in the air over the weekend and show the drama!

Any help, advise, suggestions would be very helpful. :worship:

Thanks :thumbs:
 

Attachments

  • thumbnail_191.jpg
    thumbnail_191.jpg
    368.8 KB · Views: 2,763
Mine went there

I had a 996 that had an air conditioning leak in the same spot.

Telltale sign was the luminous green fluid staining.
For me the front nearside air con rad had also gone so there was no fluid in the system.
Whilst I changed the front rad I also put a fresh o ring wetted (smear then with a bit of the fluid) and when back together it was fine.

My first attempt at a non £1200 repair (if empty) would be replace the o ring got nothing to lose. Just be careful when breaking the connections and hold against using two spanners if possible.

If you have a 'pin hole' in the pipe, the aircon system is empty and the pin hole accessible pipe cleaned. You may want to try some metal weld putty on a thin piece of metal shaped to fit over the area and 'welded' then clamped in place with a small bango clip to firmly hold it in place. Needs to be clamped as the system is pressurised.




Good luck - you would sure feel smug if it worked


Regards
Glen Wells
 
I also have a 996 that had similar issues. My Indy (9Excellence) told me the problem is common with people jacking the car up carelessly.

They successfully refitted the pipe connection.
 
You might get away with cleaning the join and new o ring if the joint has been disturbed.

If the pipe itself is leaking you can chop the damaged bit and connect up with standard fittings.

Try a local hydraulic hose specialist to make a custom connection, Pirtek is a well known franchise who make up all kinds on hose and fittings.
 
I repaired mine. There was a hole in the pipe and I cut the pipe in half where the hole was and joined it back together with a Yorkshire fitting. Later on the pipe acquired another hole so I swapped the pipe (long one running length of car. If it was the other pipe from the engine bay I'd get a flexible one custom made and fit it without dropping the engine.
 
I had the same problem right where it goes over the axel , which is the most expensive place for it to go as you say an engine drop . I ended up paying the nasty price to get it done but I was chatting to a guy on here who ownes a hose/pipe complany and he said that if I got him the sizes he could make a flexi pipe that would do the job without the engine drop . I had no ability to do this but if your a handy DIY and happy to roll around under the car and get the sizes he would be able to sort you out . I have sent you a PM with his forum name try dropping him a PM :thumb: :thumb:
 
Thank you guys for all the feedback!

I forgot to mention that there was the green luminous staining around the pipe.

Having read some previous post regarding AC people have recongmened the below guys as they can refill and carryout certain repairs whilst being mobile:

www.wechillanycar.com/

I'm trying to get hold of a technician to see whether they have any advise or be able to repair the connection.

If no luck I'll get under the car over the weekend and see how to best approach it.

Look out for an update on this!
 
jags320i said:
Thank you guys for all the feedback!

I forgot to mention that there was the green luminous staining around the pipe.

Having read some previous post regarding AC people have recommended the below guys as they can refill and carry out certain repairs whilst being mobile:

www.wechillanycar.com/

I'm trying to get hold of a technician to see whether they have any advise or be able to repair the connection.

If no luck I'll get under the car over the weekend and see how to best approach it.

Look out for an update on this!

I can recommend wechillanycar, of course, the person who comes out is dependant on your locality.

Be certainly worth them assessing the leak location. :thumb:
 
I was a little confused there .. the picture is a 997 turbo but you have a C4S :)

The pipes shown .. same as 996 .. its the seal and / or the pipes that corrode and have a pin prick hole .. thats how ally corrodes im afraid always tiny holes in pipes .

the main problem is actually getting the pipes appart to change the seal .. the bolts corrode and its normally the front to that section that need replaceing .

If its been looked at and the garage is saying the rear side of those pipes have corroded then its new pipes im afraid .

If they think it might be at the join then if the bolts come undone its worth replaceing the seal and a regass to see if it holds .. but to be honest the bolts tend to seize or the leak is actually in the pipe and not the seal .
 
I had the same fault on my car and used a repair called "Slice Lok ". about
£25 , an adjustable , hacksaw and 15 minuets. Parts available from Ebay and other A/C companies.
 

New Threads

Forum statistics

Threads
124,350
Messages
1,439,420
Members
48,707
Latest member
race911turbo
Back
Top