Will '88 325iS air con work in an '85 325e?

[Ben Carufel]

Would like to replace the non-working sytem in my daily driver '85 325e with the newly refurbished and R-134 converted system out of the soon-to-be track car '88 325iS.

Is it doable?

[rs4pro3]

Yep, bolt you compressor on. You'll need to change the other things that you do when changing to R134a but yes.

[andrem5]

I can talk you through it Ben. One thing to note is the expansion valve and condensor on the "track car" are new, but a major pain to R&R. It is possible the compressor on your 4 door is compatible with R134 if it was replaced at some time, but the one in the '88 is for sure.

[Ben Carufel]

Cool. Thanks Mike. Wasn't sure if you had let the shop do it to the '88 and if so how much knowledge of the system you had...

Still not 100% sure I won't want A/C in the Bronzit car for a while, but it makes much more sense to have it in my daily driver than in a car that's going to be pretty much weekend use...

[Ben Carufel]

I can talk you through it Ben. One thing to note is the expansion valve and condensor on the "track car" are new, but a major pain to R&R. It is possible the compressor on your 4 door is compatible with R134 if it was replaced at some time, but the one in the '88 is for sure.

What exactly do you mean by R&R?

I was figuring just take everything out and put the '88 parts in.

[Axxe]

R&R, Re&Re, Removal and Reinstallation.

[BS87]

Axxe, check your Pm's please :?

[Ben Carufel]

R&R, Re&Re, Removal and Reinstallation.

Thanks for the clarification, I was hoping he was referring to Removal + Restoration.

I think my condenser is fine on the daily driver, but the compressor makes a nice whine when it's switched on. I'm hoping that is the source of the problem.

I suppose I'll just throw the A/C parts from the '88 in a box and put them on the '85 little by little until the a/c starts working again.

Compressor part #'s appear to be the same for both years.

Does anyone know if the R134 can be re-used? I.E. can I buy an empty catch tank, purge the '88's R134 into it, then fit the parts to the '85 and empty that same R134 into the '85?

[trent]

R-134 is cheap, isn't worth saving.

R12 on the other hand is a different story.

[Ben Carufel]

Cool.

I assume the Gov't wants me to catch the stuff in a can and turn it in for recycling, though?

[andrem5]

Since you are a SoCal guy, Ben, keep in mind that essentially all of our tracks are in the desert with high temps much of the year. It is a pain to drive to and from one of these without A/C. On the other hand, San Diego has a healthy dose of natural A/C off the Pacific almost all year 'round. I rarely touch A/C in SD, but I run it hard to and from the track. At best you will lose only 45 lbs by deleting A/C from your track car, albeit a lot of it on the nose. 8 hours to Laguna, 6 hrs to Pahrump, 4 hrs to Willow, 4.5 hrs to Buttonwillow, even the 2 hrs to Calif Speedway makes A/C worth the weight IMO.

You will want to have the system professionally evacuated and refilled after you futz around with the swap. Any moisture will degrade the coolant for sure. This is an easy job even Pep Boys can do.

Not all compressors are equal. I can point you to the R-134 compatibility specs. Once you have the right compressor, the rest of the parts are not complicated, mainly o-rings and nipples. If the A/C on your '85 is not working, how do you know the condensor and expansion valve are OK?

Even R-134 should not be evacuated to the atmosphere, but you are not under the same regulations as R-12. You will be able to recharge the system yourself with cans of R-134 but it will not be sufficient for max cooling. It is not expensive to have a pro do it, and I think it is vastly better for the enviro.

[Ben Carufel]

Since you are a SoCal guy, Ben, keep in mind that essentially all of our tracks are in the desert with high temps much of the year. It is a pain to drive to and from one of these without A/C. On the other hand, San Diego has a healthy dose of natural A/C off the Pacific almost all year 'round. I rarely touch A/C in SD, but I run it hard to and from the track. At best you will lose only 45 lbs by deleting A/C from your track car, albeit a lot of it on the nose. 8 hours to Laguna, 6 hrs to Pahrump, 4 hrs to Willow, 4.5 hrs to Buttonwillow, even the 2.5 hrs to Calif Speedway makes A/C worth the weight IMO.

You will want to have the system professionally evacuated and refilled after you futz around with the swap. Any moisture will degrade the coolant for sure. This is an easy job even Pep Boys can do.

Not all compressors are equal. I can point you to the R-134 compatibility specs. Once you have the right compressor, the rest of the parts are not complicated, mainly o-rings and nipples. If the A/C on your '85 is not working, how do you know the condensor and expansion valve are OK?

Even R-134 should not be evacuated to the atmosphere, but you are not under the same regulations as R-12. You will be able to recharge the system yourself with cans of R-134 but it will not be sufficient for max cooling. It is not expensive to have a pro do it, and I think it is vastly better for the enviro.

I'm very used to no AC in the daily driver so I just drive with the windows down 99% of the time. Loose papers can be put in the map pocket on the drivers door and don't catch any wind -- I've found that out :).

I'm assuming the compressor is the root of the problem because of the wheezing/squealing sound it makes when switched on. There's a slight bit of cool air that comes out when the compressor is on, but it's only a few degrees cooler than the non-AC air.

Does the condensor have to be accessed for the R134 convert?

Are the pieces used in the convert of the '88 still useable, or are the gaskets/rubber peices one-time-use?

I think start with the compressor and any other obvious parts that are easy to access, and see how that improves the cooling. Then go from there.

[Axxe]

Rolled down windows work great, and are cheap and light. Nothing quite like cruising with the windows down and enough bass to rattle the clothing off the ladies 8)

Go for the swap, dailies deserve A/C a lot more than track rats. Think of it this way, now you can put some guages into the now useless A/C vents ;)


BS87: Replied

[andrem5]

Does the condensor have to be accessed for the R134 convert?

Are the pieces used in the convert of the '88 still useable, or are the gaskets/rubber peices one-time-use?

Wheezing sounds could very well be the expansion valve, Ben. Squealing sounds like compressor. Then again, an A/C with a leak somewhere will cause both items to wheeze and squeal since there is not enough R-134 and oil to keep them quiet.

Condensor/expansion valve are usually replaced together since they are such a nuisance to get to. Their fittings are also usually insulated with goop that does not survive a wrench. They do not have to be swapped for R-134. Other parts are reusable but I would suggest new O-rings anyway--cheap and good insurance.

For the same reason I enjoy A/C at our desert tracks, the vents provide decent heat in the winter. We track our cars year 'round in California. I have driven Willow Springs with snow flurries falling, the windows down (track rule) and the heater at full blast.

[Ben Carufel]

Not to worry, ITS rules require the heater core be left in place...so that's not an issue.

Besides, the vents are better left in place -- they do direct fresh air into the cockpit, and it does have somewhat of a cooling effect.

Hopefully EDGE comes out with an E30 radio panel gauge pod. That'd be better than sticking 'em in the vent space.