The Detailed E30 R-134a Conversion Thread/DIY

[jeffnhiscars]

I used the Sanden. I had a bracket kit that came with the car when I bought. My point, somebody makes this kit so you don't have to figure it all out.

The company that used to make them was bought by Air Products Group (APG) who I spake to. The mounting kits for e30s are no longer in production so what's available, such as the Seltec kit I bought on amazon, is "while supplies last".

[Frog]

Wow! Thanks! I need to do this on my car, but I couldn't find a good DIY.

[bradnic]

The company that used to make them was bought by Air Products Group (APG) who I spake to. The mounting kits for e30s are no longer in production so what's available, such as the Seltec kit I bought on amazon, is "while supplies last".

that sucks. the compressor + adapter is quite expensive vs a reman. is the Seltec compressor really more efficient?

[bradnic]

I've had a slow leak since I did my system upgrade and in 2 minutes I found it with this.


$26 at Amazon

I have the same one.. worth every penny. where was your slow leak coming from Jeff and what did you do to fix it?

[jeffnhiscars]

that sucks. the compressor + adapter is quite expensive vs a reman. is the Seltec compressor really more efficient?

It definitely is as well as being les than half the price of a Bosch reman. Remember, the Bosch was designed for r12 which has difference operating parameters than one designed for r134a. It's also a rotary style compressor which I've been told takes less hp to run. Kind of a no brainer if you are replacing your compressor.

I have the same one.. worth every penny. where was your slow leak coming from Jeff and what did you do to fix it?

The only parts of my original AC system that I did not replace was the 2 hoses behind the glove box that connect to the expansion valve and go through the firewall. I mistakenly thought they were barrier hoses (and thus suitable for 134) because they said "BAR" on them. Turns out that refers to the bar/pressure rating of the hoses and they leak in several places. The smaller hose is NLA and the larger one is back ordered and is not in stock anywhere in the US.

I took a spare set of hoses to an AC shop that does classic car installs and they have no problem replacing the hose but there is corrosion in the ends of this eat since it sat open for years. I could have pulled mine, but did not want to take down the system so I bought a set of NOS hoses and will have those upgraded. If that works out well it's something I may offer if I can find enough cores.

I also have a small leak where the low pressure switch attaches to the dryer which has to be replaced anyway when I do the hoses. With that leak detector I'm pretty well 100% self sufficient with the AC.

[nrubenstein]

that sucks. the compressor + adapter is quite expensive vs a reman. is the Seltec compressor really more efficient?

The AC in the two cars with Sanden compressors works just as well as the AC in my 24V car. It was flat out not as good with the stock compressor.

[glucklich21]

Bump for pressure switch write up instructions:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=342398

[JinormusJ]

The Detailed E30 R-134a Conversion Thread/DIY

Bump for pressure switch write up instructions:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=342398

Would it be possible to update the OP with places to buy the condenser, etc. for cheaper? I remember seeing forum members picking it up for $60-80 but I'm not about to sift through the thread to find them again.

I figured you might remember where they got them from?

Either way; this is on my e30 to-do list once Spring comes along. I'm tired of AC-less summers lol

[glucklich21]

It was Amazon and they're $95 nowadays. Updated the link with that one.

[JinormusJ]

Thanks man
Appreciate it

[jordy101]

So the compressor on the stock e30 motors can be 'updated' to function on r 134a. Can the stock compressor on an m50 have the oil changed to work in an r12 system?
Thanks boys,
Jordan

[e30 gangsta]

No those compressors are designed for r134.

[Kevinl]

I bet it would work fine and there should be M50 R12 compressors available

[xcx4x]

Damn is there anyone that would like to help me do this. I'm in La and not looking forward to this summer. I'll pay 50-100$


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[GoldMember]

Are R12 cans off Ebay any good?

Hey guys, I do not mean to derail this thread but I would love an opinion on the path I’m about to take with my A/C.
Several years ago I put a compressor straight from the junkyard into my ’85 325e and charged it with R134a (and a new dryer). Flying in the face of “doing the right thing” it has actually worked extremely well, until now. By that I mean that my system is stock (R12), the compressor I got was probably stock (R12), and I did nothing to “convert” anything. The eventual failure was the compressor seal.
I just picked up a comp (see pic) from the yard again and was going to do the same thing however I am considering getting some R12 off ebay (in cans) and charging it with that this time, since I didn’t have any appreciable leaks in my system and I think I can reasonably expect it to last for a while as such.
What do you think? Ya, the R12 is probably going to cost $70 or so but it’s worth it to me if it doesn’t leak out. Does anyone have experience with the R12 cans? Since my “new” comp probably has R12 oil in it already, shouldn’t it be plug and play? I read all of the dangers of mixing R134a with R12 oil so that’s just another reason I’m considering this route. Thank you for your thoughts!