The Detailed E30 R-134a Conversion Thread/DIY

[///M42 sport]

just an FYI on my 318is, I was able to take out the condensor and fan without taking off the valence or bumper

I'm refreshing my AC now after owning my e30 for approx 15yrs. THanks for this post!
Anyone else get a reman or new compressor have suggestions on what brand?

Also other than OEM where else is there to source the ac lines?

[cory58]

Is it correct that still having the low pressure switch would not adversely impact operation of the converted system?

I pulled back the rubber boot from the connection to the low pressure switch, and one of the wires was disconnected. Would this impact operation of the system?

Rarely do things work out easier than expected. Looks like I already answered both my questions. Hooked the gauges up last night and the static pressure was 20 psi. Tried to add 134a and nothing was happening. Reconnected the second wire to the low pressure switch, and the compressor immediately kick on and the system started taking the 134a. After adding one small can, the vent temp was 48 degrees. Sweet! Dynamic pressures were 25 low and 100 high, so the system is not working perfectly, but I'll take 48 degree discharge air at idle anytime. Fingers crossed that the leak is not too bad.

Cory

[cory58]

Read all 25 pages of this DIY, so I apologize if I missed the answers to my questions below. Unbelievable amount of great info in this thread!

Starting to diagnose inop condition of the AC in my Touring. It has the 134a fittings, so some form of conversion was done. Noticed that it still has the old style drier, with both pressure switches.

Is it correct that still having the low pressure switch would not adversely impact operation of the converted system?

I pulled back the rubber boot from the connection to the low pressure switch, and one of the wires was disconnected. Would this impact operation of the system? I may have pulled the one wire off when pulling back the boot.

Thanks, Cory

[TrentW]

Finally converting to R134a after being an R12 believer, but just can't justify that any longer and my R12 black market guy is running out.

Have already replaced exp valve and now ready to replace my Nippondenso 10P15E compressor and rec/drier. Looking for a direct bolt on replacement, and wondering if anyone can recommend a good source. Ebay has Four Seasons brand 57352 that seem to be direct bolt on. Anyone using this one and can speak to quality/reliability? Says it's compatible with R12 and R134a.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-C-Compressor-Compressor-4-Seasons-57352-Reman-fits-87-93-BMW-325i-2-5L-L6-/171670036107?hash=item27f854de8b:g:Ux0AAOSwzJ5XV4ZL&vxp=mtr

[hamann318is]

I couldn't find a lot of detail on the forms, but I'm planning on doing this conversion specific to a M42 with a M44 electric fan (just plugged into the OEM aux fan wiring) - do I need to be concerned with adding a pusher fan?

I've added the lower temp switch and my aux fan is no longer connected, and when I hit the AC button, the electric puller fan comes on, or when it gets to about 3/5ths on the temp gauge, the fan comes on.

I don't think this will be a problem, but is that some kind of strain on the AC system?

[ocho ninja]

good write up

Long time lurker posting, made account to buy stuff from members.

But i just wanna say that after some initial trouble with leaks found when vacuuming the system and not having the new aux fan connected correctly.

The two wires that are for the low/high speed must be crimped together when connected to the new fan so that it is turned on when the snowflake button is pressed and when the temp sensor is tripped

My AC would not work until I sorted the wiring issue. We had to jump the compressor in order to charge the system

Other than that been enjoying cold ac.

[BlackSpeed66]

It appears FCP has a Nissens condenser that is parallel flow.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...er-64538391509

I've ordered one for my AC project this winter - we shall see how it goes!

[mr.]

Curious to see if anyone has had luck doing this conversion on an M10 E30?

Sent from my SM-G530T1 using Tapatalk

[RampageRR]

This should be the same according to the description below the pics, look for part number 3464:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-C-Condense...9XcXbe&vxp=mtr

This is the exact one I ended up ordering shortly after I made my original post - should be here this Friday or Monday of next week, so hopefully I'll have an update for everyone as to how it works out by the end of next week.

[R3Z3N]

Anyone have a link/URL for a parallel flow condenser that isn't from Amazon? That link says the part's currently unavailable (with an "unknown" time for restock), so if anyone has a link to another seller of a known good parallel flow condenser, please post it up. Thanks!

This should be the same according to the description below the pics, look for part number 3464:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-C-Condenser-Spectra-7-3464-fits-87-93-BMW-325i-2-5L-L6-/272288514042?hash=item3f65a8fffa:g:BXIAAOSwvg9XcXbe&vxp=mtr

[R3Z3N]

This is with a Spal 30102048 16" Pusher.

Drilled the new rivets off the new condensor and bent/moved mounting points as necessary. Flipped the drivers side mount 180º as it is just screwed on.

[dsphil]

I got a parallel condensor from rockauto and mounted the fan with conduit straps.

[spike68]

You're right. I just purchased mine from amazon about 2 months ago.

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[RampageRR]

Oh man. Thats my bad. I didnt even notice that it's not being offered anymore. Good luck with that other one. Hopefully it works.

No worries, I don't think this happened until very recently. I'm almost positive they were available a month or so ago when I first started looking. Hopefully this one works just as well - it does have a very similar part number, so I'm hoping it's the same one sold under a different brand name.

[spike68]

Oh man. Thats my bad. I didnt even notice that it's not being offered anymore. Good luck with that other one. Hopefully it works.