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512TR AC question

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by JIMBO, May 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM.

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  1. JIMBO

    JIMBO Formula 3
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    Oct 31, 2003
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    Jim DeRespino
    #1 JIMBO, May 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
    I just finished optimizing the AC on my '94 512TR. It will blow 38 degrees at the center vent while driving at 60 mph, but if I stop for a light or have traffic, it barely cools. At idle with a large fan in front of the car I can get 68 degrees. I replaced the compressor, condensor fans, drier and trinary switch at last service 4000 miles ago and flushed all the lines. New expansion valve 15,000 miles ago.
    Ester oil in compressor.

    There is a slow leak, requiring one can of refrigerant every summer. Yesterday I vacuumed the system down to -29 for 30 minutes, and then let it sit for another hour - it held steady at -29. I added just under 2 lbs of Freeze-12 (R12 replacement) and had low side 40 and high side 210, which has always worked well in the past. 30 minutes later both sides equalize out to ambient temp (80).

    What can I do to improve performance? More refrigerant? The condensor fans come on appropriately. Everything seems to be working. Is this just the best performance I can expect in a 31 year old Ferrari without R12 in this car? It's a small cockpit to cool but a lot of windshield and black leather exposed to the Florida sun (windshield is tinted to reduce heat and UV).

    Any suggestions would be appreciated.
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 Steve Magnusson, May 8, 2025 at 5:08 PM
    Can only say that those two statements do not agree at all. Have you, or can you, put a hand in behind the condensor fans to "feel" if there is a reasonable amount of airflow (and it should be rather warm if the AC is "on")? I.e., when you say "the condensor fans come on appropriately" are you just judging that by the sound or by the airflow?
     
  3. JIMBO

    JIMBO Formula 3
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    Jim DeRespino
    #3 JIMBO, May 8, 2025 at 7:28 PM
    The condensor fans are both new and they both come on together by the sound. I have not put my hands back there.
     
  4. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Steve Magnusson
    #4 Steve Magnusson, May 8, 2025 at 10:15 PM
    Does that mean "new and stock" or "new substitutes"? These should be fairly kick-ass fans.
     
  5. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Brian Crall
    #5 Rifledriver, May 9, 2025 at 7:04 AM
    Our 90 TR in Texas never has the A/C set at full cold and I am never uncomfortable. The 512 in my opinion has a better condenser design .
    But ours is white and I use nothing but real R12.

    Slow leaks in the system are a no extra charge feature of Ferrari due mostly to the garbage hoses Ferrari uses. With 134a retaining freon is hopeless.
     
    EZORED and dgt like this.
  6. rumen1

    rumen1 Formula 3
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    #6 rumen1, May 9, 2025 at 2:19 PM
    The 512TR has a very strong A/C in my opinion. It is hard to adjust it to the exact temperature you need it to blow, but if we are talking about power and cold, I think it is a very strong unit.
     
    EZORED likes this.

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