The Detailed E30 R-134a Conversion Thread/DIY

[efficient]

I bought the one from the link in the first post, mine came silver.

[JinormusJ]

APDI 7013464 condensers are out of stock everywhere

Just when I was finally ready to pull the trigger

[efficient]

I wonder if it makes a difference if I just put the new adapter on the r12 thread, I found out its missing the r12 Schrader valve.

[Klug]

One question when you add the r134a hot and low side fittings on the original valves do you guys take Schrader valves out ?

I replaced mine- they are dirt cheap to replace (don't forget to get the little tool) since most of the older schrader valves leak over time.

The new r134a side fittings have a pin that depresses the Schrader valve when the R134 valve is hooked up- so you leave them in there.

[efficient]

One question when you add the r134a hot and low side fittings on the original valves do you guys take Schrader valves out ?

[rjmcdermott81]

I just wanted to add this note about swapping the o-rings on your condenser without taking apart the whole front end. I just had my car painted, so the less body pieces I touch the less risk of scratching/denting something.

I'm not changing my compressor but just needed to put the A/C lines back in with new o-rings. I found that, with a little bit of patience you can put the A/C lines on by only taking off the front right grill around the headlights.

Image with grill out (just two screws and three clips):


Close up on access to the hose that goes to the compressor:


Access the line that goes to the dryer through the slits in the front valence:


Close up....this one was a pain, but it only took a few minutes

[dude8383]

RockAuto has a few in stock. I bought 3 for customer cars.

CLICK FOR LINK

[isaacneedshelp]

So I tried ordering my condenser using the link provided a couple of weeks ago (said there were still a couple in stock) well 2 weeks later I finally called Amazon to find out they are out of stock. Called another website trying to buy the same part, they tell me it's on back order for a "2-3 months". Phoenix will still be hot for the next 2-3 months so does anyone have a suggestion on where I can go to find this or any kind of alternative?

[varg]

Does anybody know the part number and/or size for the smaller of the 2 o-rings on the condenser? 1991 E30, the diameter of the metal the o-ring slides onto is 8.75mm. None of the o-rings I ordered from this discussion thread fit correctly. Pelican parts does not list an 8-and-change-ish mm a/c o-ring. Next smallest available is 7.65mm. Please advise.

7.64mm according to: http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showpos...19&postcount=2
O-rings are supposed to have a stretch fit so it's ok that it's a mm and change smaller.

O-ring info
The A/C system is built with SAE sized hoses and connections.
BMW lists o-rings by I.D. in mm, vs standard sizes or dimension
Thus a #6 o-ring, which is 3/8" or 9.525mm, is listed by BMW as 7.64mm

O-ring count and locations
7.64mm 4 (both liquid hoses)
11.1mm 4+1 (hot vapor hose, expansion valve liquid out, press. switch)
14mm 1+1 (expansion valve vapor, EV adjustment)
17mm 1+1 (compressor inlet, compressor manifold)

Expansion valve and evaporator, 17/19/22/24mm wrenches
One 7.64mm #6
Two 11.1 mm #8 x 1/16" I.D.: 11.1mm O.D: 14.3mm T: 1.6mm
Two 14 mm #10 x 1/16"
(Fifth o-ring is for the superheat adjustment plug)
ETK lists 11.1 and 14mm (602/603) for evap side of exp valve
Compressor
64-50-1-468-464 11.1mm for outlet (see high pressure hose)
Either
64-50-1-468-466, 17mm (19x17mm) (3/4", #12) for Bosch inlet
or
64-50-1-468-465, 14mm (#10) for Denso inlet
Condenser
64-50-1-468-464 11.1mm for inlet (high pressure hose)
64-50-1-468-463 7.64 for outlet (hose to drier), 17/19mm wrenches
Drier
64 50 8 390 601 Two 3/8" (#6) o-ring for tube fittings
64 50 8 390 602 One 1/2" (#8 ) o-ring for pressure switch
Note: For two pressure switch drier only. Switch with wire leads
is pipe threads, pronged switch is o-ring sealed. New style drier
uses a combined pressure switch with a Schrader valve connection.
Firewall
Liquid connection 17/19mm wrenches
64-50-1-468-463, 7.64mm (3/8", #6)
Vapor 24/27mm wrenches
64-50-1-468-465, 14mm (#10)

O-ring count: 5X #6, 5X #8, 3X #10, 1X #12
64-50-1-468-463, 7.64mm (3/8", #6) new part number for '601
2@ drier, 1@ tube connection, 1@ E.V., 1@ condenser outlet
64-50-1-468-464, 11.1mm (1/2", #8 ) new part number for '602
1@ drier switch, 2@ E.V., 1@ compressor, 1@ condenser inlet
64-50-1-468-465, 14mm (#10)
2@ E.V., 1@ tube connection, 1@ compressor suction (late compressor)
64-50-1-468-466, 17mm (#12)
1@ E.V., 1@ compressor suction (early compressor), 1@ Bosch manifold

Hoses:
High pressure hose (64-53-8-391-052), compressor to condenser:
Two 64-50-1-468-464 11.1mm
Behr $62.75, German $69.81
64-53-9-067-572 High pressure liquid hose, condenser to drier
64 50 8 390 601 Two 7.64mm (3/8", #6) o-rings (?)
$93.20/$74.56
Liquid hose, drier to expansion valve:
64-53-1-380-094 metal tube, and 64-53-8-391-047 interior tube
64 50 8 390 601 Two 7.64mm (3/8", #6) o-rings
Metal tube to 9/87 only
Vapor hose, evaporator to compressor
64-53-8-391-048 interior vapor hose
64-53-1-377-821 exterior vapor hose assembly R12
64-53-8-391-051 exterior vapor hose assembly R134a
64-53-1-380-542 heat exchanger
R12 $109/$86.14
R134 $151/$141.91

[funcrew]

Does anybody know the part number and/or size for the smaller of the 2 o-rings on the condenser? 1991 E30, the diameter of the metal the o-ring slides onto is 8.75mm. None of the o-rings I ordered from this discussion thread fit correctly. Pelican parts does not list an 8-and-change-ish mm a/c o-ring. Next smallest available is 7.65mm. Please advise.

[varg]

Just wanted to chime in and thank everyone who contributed useful information in this thread. It was very nice to not have to play the information-hunting game as I begin to restore my AC to working condition and make sure the R134 conversion was done right. It was an especially pleasant surprise to have information relevant to the 318is compressor right on the front page.

[xcx4x]

OC peeps with experience

ill be blunt:
anyone in the OC that has done this conversion willing to do the same for my car? ill be there as a hand and pay $$ for your services

[netcsk]

1.8 pounds is perfect for my completely redone system on an s52 and parallel flow condenser.

[GoldMember]

How many cans of R134a do you guys put into a freshly flushed system? I just put two cans in and my pressures seem high. 80ish on the low and peaks at 350 on the high during high RPM.

[Luke_M]

You can buy an a/c specific solvent for cleaning lines. Just plug each side with a towel after you pour some in and slosh it around. Something like this.

http://www.toolpan.com/Mastercool-91049-32--32oz-AC-Flush-Solvent_p_4513.html?gdftrk=gdfV27228_a_7c824_a_7c2023_a_7cMAS91049_d_32

Autozone etc all should carry something like it.