How to fix both blend doors from one side?

I finally am getting ready to address the foam bits flying out of my vents. I�ve read through the how-tos for fixing the upper door from the cowl and the lower door from behind the radio. I�ve seen a couple of comments that people have fixed both blend doors from one side. Are there any videos or how to guides that describe fixing both doors from either the dash or cowl? I would like to only do disassembly on one side, if possible.

I'm interested as well. I was planning to just pull the dash in an effort to just cry once and fix every 20 year old problem I encountered along the way.

I am also....Finally have no control with AC....just chunks flying out.

Same situation here

There's one vote for the the cabriolet. I don't use the HVAC at all. And that is how I avoid the foam buts! Yes, I would have them otherwise.

I have a cab and still run the AC. And I have lots of foam bits. My problem isn�t cold or heat, that works fine. My problem is the air comes out of top, middle, and bottom no matter how I choose to direct the air with those buttons.

Link below is the best documentation iirc, it starts with the heater core method but later in the thread it goes to the cut through the hvac behind the radio method. iirc the radio access method can repair both doors while the heater core method can only get one. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ntn-issue.html

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Thanks! I�ve read that thread before, but missed this video last time. This guy shows how he recovered both blend doors from the dash using foil duct tape. You Tube my only question is how different this will be with my HVAC controls and single DIN stereo in the slots right below the vents.

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This is the method I used. I don�t remember exactly, but the single din frame comes out really easy and gives full access. There is another video out there showing this, but as I remember it was really obvious once in there. Worked a treat.

Hello, I was able to get both done though the heater core cavity. I posted a write up on it about.. 18 months ago. Let me find the post and I’ll get back to you. try this link: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...l#post17826885

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Great write up! This is exactly what I was looking for. You address a few things that others haven�t, like cleaning the blend doors and how to accurately place the foam tape on the lower door. Thanks. Now I just have to decide what�s best. I�m also hesitant to cut up the duct, and I have small hands, but�I have to decide how much patience I will have for this project.

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@JTT Did you have to clean residual foam off the blend doors in your car? How did that go? Also, did you use foil duct tape like in the video or foam for recovering the doors?

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Mine had some residual foam, as well as the sticky tape side of the foam left behind (sort of clear sticky film). It actually cleaned off relatively easy, but again, I was using the through th dash method, which allows more access.

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@JTT did you use foil tape, like I�m the video, or foam tape? I wonder if the foam might be easier to install because the strips would be straighter and stiffer?

Kind of off-topic, but my Bang & Olufsen speakers stopped working about a month ago. They're about the same age as my 996. I checked the issue on a B&O forum and guess what? It's a foam issue. The foam degrades overtime and almost liquefies and causes issues. I had to open up the speakers and remove the foam. Incidentally, it looks just like the foam coming out of my vents. I'm guessing its the same material that was used by Porsche. The suggested replacement foam for the speakers is more like the adhesive-backed strips that some have used on their blend doors. My AC is still blowing cold but it's getting time to do the job. I'm going to go in through the console when I get around to it.

It's really strange. So much foam has come out of my vents, yet I still have control over air flow, both hot and cold. I imagine it's just not finished shedding? Southern car, 99,096 miles today when I parked 😎.

Cleaning the residual foam and glue off was tricky which is how that odd shaped rod came about in my write up. I just took my time and used Iso alcohol and got it clean. I used the foam tape and not the foil on the inner door for the reason you suggested in that it was more rigid and a bit easier to deal with than the foil tape. I justified using the foil tape for just the hot side of the mixer door on the basis that the heater core is always on and hot and hence that door side needs it. To my understanding, these cars and most modern cars don't have a heater tap. I just used the foam for the rest of the door sides with the justification that the air temperature should be mostly the temp that I have in the car since its already mixed by the time it gets to the second door. Also, it was easy to fit since the hot / cold mixer door was out on the bench. Overall, doing the inner door was not easy but it was definately doable provided you give yourself enough time and don't have large hands. If I had to do it again, I'd definately take the same approach. Taking the dash out brings all sort of other risks like damage, rattles and potential electrical reconnection issues. Going in behind the radio and cutting the vent didn't sit well with me. Let me know how you get on. I fixed the link from earlier in this thread.

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I did use a foil backed foam tape. Foil tape alone would be very hard to manage in that small space, unless you have 8 yrs old girl hands.

I�m leaning toward going in through the vent, even though I don�t love cutting it up. Any thoughts on the best way to cut the vent without a power drywall saw like the guy uses in the video?

A cheap little oscillating saw makes it super easy. Harbour Freight. You could do it with a hacksaw blade on a single handle (not traditional bow saw, but a little handle that fits to one end of a hacksaw blade).

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I did this repair on my '99 last winter. I just used a box cutter with a fresh blade and it sliced through the center vent tube pretty easily. Its was nice having functional heat again.

This sounds like someone should do a video on repairing the blend doors on a Carrera cab, hmmm.... I wonder who could do that or perhaps is already looking into it?

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I just did mine about 2 weeks ago. To cut the duct I used a sharp exacto knife as used for model hobbies. Just stab it through down low and run it up to the top. It is very thin and cut quickly and easily without the rough edges a saw would cause.

Good to know a sharp knife will do the job!