The Detailed E30 R-134a Conversion Thread/DIY

[jrobie79]

Just noticed that the 1st page says that early models will leak out the r134a because it's a non barrier hose or something. The lines I pulled are from a 85 318. Think I'll be alright?

probably not

[efficient]

Just noticed that the 1st page says that early models will leak out the r134a because it's a non barrier hose or something. The lines I pulled are from a 85 318. Think I'll be alright?

[Klug]

Just pulled some lines from a junkyard car and was wondering what would you guys use to clean the lines from the inside?
I was thinking of using brake cleaner

Not sure what the best way would be but I just used purple power and then the air compressor to blow out the junk.

[efficient]

Just pulled some lines from a junkyard car and was wondering what would you guys use to clean the lines from the inside?
I was thinking of using brake cleaner

[efficient]

Oh I have both style compressors but no brackets

[e30 gangsta]

Just wondering I Seen some people using an adapter bracket for the ac. What's wrong with the stock ac bracket?

The old bracket is not designed for the new style compressors, hence why people use the new brackets, to bolt a new style compressor on the m20.

[efficient]

Just wondering I Seen some people using an adapter bracket for the ac. What's wrong with the stock ac bracket?

[glucklich21]

It's the fitting on the line that runs along the fender to the dryer. You'll need an adaptor that is as low of profile as possible. Most 90s will not work as they stick out too much. One solution is to get the updated hardline from BMW that came in 93 cabrios. It has R-134a fittings already.

That said, I ended up with a stubby adaptor such as something like this on my car:

http://www.amazon.com/Interdynamics-VA-LH12-Conditioning-Conversion-Adapters/dp/B002G1UO8E/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1435411586&sr=8-14&keywords=r134a+adapter

I can't guarantee it'll work, but it looks extremely similar to what's under my hood.

[Mark 42]

The two adapter fittings (High & low side) to hook up the gauge manifold to measure
and charge the system... I read somewhere that one of them has to be a 90° fitting
due to clearance with the hood. My question is whether that is true on an M42 E30
(1991 318i), and if so, which one has to be 90°?

I don't have the car with me right now.

I didn't see pictures of the charging ports (adapters) in the write up -
and I have read most of the 288 posts in this thread!

[glucklich21]

Dis^^

[Klug]

I tried to pull the firewall connections apart yesterday and gave up thinking I was going to break something or just round off the flats of the hexes. Super tight. :(

Thats crazy- in all reality the hose unions shouldn't be torqued down super tight. It just needs to be 'guten tight' to keep the seal of the o-rings on the hoses. Try some heat or PB.

[efficient]

Wish I didn't go race car on my car cus is hot now

[GoldMember]

I tried to pull the firewall connections apart yesterday and gave up thinking I was going to break something or just round off the flats of the hexes. Super tight. :( I was using the proper size wrenches and even resorted to a vice grip to no avail. I ran that system with R134a for 5 years and it didn't leak so I think (hope) I'm safe with leaving those connections alone as I plan to install R12.

Everything else is going well. I'm about to install my new (reman) compressor and finally the drier.

Thanks.

[Klug]

Thanks guys, for the response.

I had someone on another forum say there were nylon bushings in there. O-rings sounds more like what I'd expect.

You can pretty much account for any A/C hose union having O-rings between them.

Condenser - 2
Dryer - 2 + # of switches you have
Compressor - 2
Firewall/Cabin - 2
Evap Valve - 4

So I'm counting 12 total off the top of my head, plus 1 or 2 more depending on the switches you have on your dryer.

[GoldMember]

Thanks guys, for the response.

I had someone on another forum say there were nylon bushings in there. O-rings sounds more like what I'd expect.