The Detailed E30 R-134a Conversion Thread/DIY

[tomstin]

Let me add to the long list of people appreciating you taking the time to put this together. I finally got to the point of charging my system. I haven't had the chance to drive it on the highway but locally it seems about 90% there. I used two cans (total 24 oz) of R134. Suction side was a little higher than I thought it should be (60 lbs) and the high side a little lower (220 lbs). I'll pick up a thermometer on the way home from work and see what the temperature is at the vents. I expected it to feel a bit colder. More to come...

[jrobie79]

does anyone have updated part numbers for barrier hoses for the m42 setup?

I checked realoem, and used a 1992 318i after March (when they were upgraded to barrier hoses, but the part #'s aren't making sense to me)

My compressor does not have threaded fittings on the actual hose ends, this is what the end looks like:



however when I go to pelican parts or look up the late late cabrios, the part number for that hose indicates a threaded end fitting



In regards to custom made lines, I was quoted $325 for the (3) lines that require the barrier hose (the two going to the evaporator already area barrier)...Compressor --> Condenser, Condenser --> Dryer, Compressor --> Evaporator (the line pictured).

Is it possible to swap the top manifold 'plate' on my 10PA17 compressor to accept the threaded fittings and use lines that are more easily found and cost significantly less to have custom made?

[jeffnhiscars]

I bought a roll of 2" insulating foam tape from an AC supply house.

[tomstin]

What has everyone been using to seal the area where the hoses go thru the cover at the expansion valve? I think I have assembled are the parts to rebuild my AC but that's one area I can't seem to figure out what to use?

[Bimmerfan84]

i just jump the stock fan to high as it will help. On my cabrio I went with a SPAL cause it makes less noise and we'll...it's new :)

Which model and size SPAL fan did you get? If I have to take it out anyway might as well upgrade.

[dhithim]

I'm just stating a fact, but....I will look in to making these when we get back from Canada since there is clearly a need.

I read in your Project Thread that the brackets are no longer being mad. Any update on you making these brackets?

[jeffnhiscars]

That's good I got a PF condenser, evaporator, compressor, switch, dryer, and expansion valve. Just deciding whether I should get a fan or not. Thanks for the info!



How is it blowing in your vert (I assume this is the one you converted)? I have a 318iC and wondering on the performance I will get in the hot summers down here.

I swapped out the entire system so can't tell you whether any one component made more difference than another. When the system is in spec it blows cold enough that on a 95 degree summer day I have to dial it down...in a cabrio with a black roof

[ziggysmoov]

sub'd

[Bimmerfan84]

I do not have personal experience (yet), but have been told by several people who've done the conversion that (1) the stock fan is fine and (2) the most performance gain comes from a PF condenser

That's good I got a PF condenser, evaporator, compressor, switch, dryer, and expansion valve. Just deciding whether I should get a fan or not. Thanks for the info!

i just jump the stock fan to high as it will help. On my cabrio I went with a SPAL cause it makes less noise and we'll...it's new :)

How is it blowing in your vert (I assume this is the one you converted)? I have a 318iC and wondering on the performance I will get in the hot summers down here.

[jeffnhiscars]

i just jump the stock fan to high as it will help. On my cabrio I went with a SPAL cause it makes less noise and we'll...it's new :)

[cory58]

So I am going to be performing this conversion soon before the weather gets unbearably hot here in Florida but I was curious about the fan. Is the stock fan not sufficient to cool the R134a? If so, is it the speed of the fan or the size of the fan that is lacking? Has anyone tried using just the stock fan? How much improvement in temperature do you see with an aftermarket fan? Just wondering how necessary it is to get another fan. If it is a large difference I will definitely do it. Thanks everybody!

I do not have personal experience (yet), but have been told by several people who've done the conversion that (1) the stock fan is fine and (2) the most performance gain comes from a PF condenser.

A PO did the usual suck out R12/pump in R134a conversion on my Touring. The system worked great for a year after I got the car, until the o-rings started to fail and then the compressor seals failed. I'll be replacing the compressor, o-rings and condenser this summer, but keeping the stock fan. Hoping for good performance without replacing the fan, expansion valve and evaporator. We'll see.

Cory

[Bimmerfan84]

Fan curiosities

So I am going to be performing this conversion soon before the weather gets unbearably hot here in Florida but I was curious about the fan. Is the stock fan not sufficient to cool the R134a? If so, is it the speed of the fan or the size of the fan that is lacking? Has anyone tried using just the stock fan? How much improvement in temperature do you see with an aftermarket fan? Just wondering how necessary it is to get another fan. If it is a large difference I will definitely do it. Thanks everybody!

[captain awesome]

Does anyone know if I need to put an auxiliary fan back in if I'm running an e36 m42 electric fan on my 318is? It's set up to run only high when it kicks on as is now. I just don't want to go through all the trouble to setup a new A/C system and then not be able to cool it enough with only the one fan.

[jeffnhiscars]

That looks like a low pressure switch which is the same for both systems so as,long as it works, no point in changing it. The HP switches are different since r134 has a higher working pressure so,if you can find one I'd change that.

AC flush isnrather costly so you may want to connect as many parts as you can for it to run through.

[mgbrv8]

Hello sir I ran across your amazing article about doing a R134 conversion on a R 12 system for the E 30. I am going to completely go through my system I changed my condenser to a parallel style condenser and I Have disconnected all the hoses so I can completely flush the system and I will replace the evaporator in the car also along with the expansion valve that you recommended for a R134 conversion my car is equipped with the switch pictured below Do I need replace the switch on to the new filter dryer or do I need to get a different switch when converting from r 12 to r 134



Dave (Mcallen TX) 1987 325i