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308 Air Conditioning Cooling Capability

Discussion in '308/328' started by Scott98, Jun 21, 2009.

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  1. Scott98

    Scott98 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 3, 2004
    2,950
    Weston, FL
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    Scott
    #1 Scott98, Jun 21, 2009
    I'm thinking about getting a 2-valve, fuel injected 308 as my first Ferrari. However, I live in southern Florida and was wondering if stock 308 A/C with R-12 is adequate for this climate? If not, are there aftermarket upgrades?

    Thanks,

    Scott
     
  2. Neonzapper

    Neonzapper F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2008
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    Mykol
    #2 Neonzapper, Jun 21, 2009
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2009
    My original stock Euro 1983 308 GTBi QV has excellent a/c. Summers here in the D.C. area can reach 100 degrees with high humidy (nearly 100%), and the car quickly cools, needing the minimal setting to maintain very cold air. I have no idea if that is typical of the 308 you describe or not, however it is pure factory, and just as fine as a brand new car out of the showroom.

    In another post about 308s vs. 328s, one post stated the 328 has a better a/c system. If that's true, then polar bears must drive 328s because my original 308 is fantastic 26 years later. When it was last serviced (2007), some more freon was squirted in, and she's still good for a few more years.
     
  3. AZDoug

    AZDoug Formula 3

    Jun 17, 2009
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    Doug
    #3 AZDoug, Jun 21, 2009
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2009
    What! You expect the AC to work?? :rolleyes:

    The AC in my 1979 car sorta worked, once or twice, back when I lived in SoCal.

    I don't think I am teh only one who experienced this. I do NOT drive my car in AZ in the summer!

    Edited to add: There is no reason it shouldn't work if the compressor and all hoses are good, and the system is properly maintained., but mine always leaked down after a few months, for some reason. I didn't use it enough to pursue the problem.

    Doug
     
  4. Scott98

    Scott98 F1 Rookie
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    #4 Scott98, Jun 21, 2009
    It sounds like they have pretty good A/C systems. The reason I asked is that I own an older 911 and even when new, the A/C systems were terrible and never really cooled the car. I was just wondering if Ferrari had the same problem.

    Scott
     
  5. maurice70

    maurice70 F1 Rookie

    Jan 25, 2004
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    maurice T
    #5 maurice70, Jun 22, 2009
    Most 308 and GT4's have insufficient A/C caused mainly by lack of supply air flow and also retrofitting to R-134a.The 328 improved the design slightly by using a stronger supply air fan and relocating the condenser coil in the front guard as opposed to having it behind the radiator.Also the condenser fan was improved.There are numerous threads discussing this issue in the search
     
  6. CarbBoxer

    CarbBoxer Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2008
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    Houston
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    PW
    #6 CarbBoxer, Jun 22, 2009
    If you let the car sit in the sun and get hot the AC won't cool it down.
     
  7. CaptOharry

    CaptOharry Formula Junior

    Jan 4, 2009
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    Harry Welch
    #7 CaptOharry, Jun 22, 2009
    I have an 82 2v just had the AC refilled last summer when my timming belts were done,i've had no problems north FL summers are just as hot as they are down there.
     
  8. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

    Feb 16, 2004
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    way north california
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    chris morse
    #8 chrismorse, Jun 23, 2009
    I have seen many threads lamenting the stock ac performance. My 77 works ok after fully recharging with the old freon.

    There are many out there who advise not to go to the new freon - it does not work as efficinetly and the marginal system needs all the help it can get.

    There are one or two great threads about upgrading each and every component of the system to really improve its performance at a substantial cost.

    The evaporator, condenser, ducts, pump and fan are all too small. Together, they underwhelm.

    sorry,
    chris
     

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