How cold should an E30s A/C be?

[Thomas H]

Is there any really easy to way to tell if it's still R12 or R134a? No idea, PO never mentioned it. he said the compressor didn't even work at all, but it turns on fine and pumps out air when switched on. Just not cold air.

The charge ports are different. The R134 ports look like a air hose quick release if I recall. If it was converted the ports should look like they have some type of adapter on them The R12 ports look like a huge shrader valve

[Drake]

"properly" adjusted, A/C is supposed to lower the air temperature by 10 degrees celsius. Most systems are way off this spec. I'm pretty sure this is how most cars come from factory.

[e30fiend]

My 89 has never been serviced or recharged and it blows ice cold when driving. At idle it's cold but not ice cold.

[Dominick]

i fiound out mine was converted to r134 too, i put in a can with oil, leak sealer and 134 in. The compressor wouldnt turn on immediately.

I noticed it was a "airy" liquid (liquid but a lot of bubbles/gas) going into the compressor, i started thinking liquids cant be compressed easily. But my compressor finally kicked on, then off and on/off from there on. Then it sounded loud and rough, like it was seizing, so i turned it off.

so i bought a regular can of r134a and attempted to fill it some more. I had about 12 oz in already so i thought another 12oz would be fine. I read somewhere that our e30's were about 33-35 oz and since r134 takes about 85% less space then r12 i figured 24-26oz would be fine.

But when i try to fill with normal can of r134 the compressor wont turn on and wont "suck" the freon out.

The other can had a special nozzle (like a spray can) where i could actually maually move the freon out of the can when the compressor wouldnt turn on.

But i hope i can fix it, cuz the first can was $25 and the can of r134and hose was another $25, id hate to waste $50.

Boom-Monkey you have a PM coming.

[NORCAL/E30]

Got my AC fixed the other day. Stayed with R12 though. I changed the condensor, two hoses, and the drier. Then had a shop drain and fill the system. Its ice cold whenever now. 8)

ABE

[enercity]

I've also been having this problem. My A/C just isn't cold. It blows coolish air but not cold. I don't think the temperature changes at all from the fan to having the compressor turned on, but I can hear the compressor turn on and it sounds normal, it just isn't cold. what could be the problem? does anyone have pictures of r12 - r134?

[EverWiser]

Make sure your auxillary fan is coming on...If it's not then that could be your problem.

[RCWells]

Thursday, he's gonna recheck the pressure, and add more R12 if it will take it. If that doesn't fix it, then I'll go from there. Thanks for all the information.

[emi]

I took my girlfriends car to the greatest shop in michigan... condensor, receiver thingamacall it fan, speed resistor... $900... oh well, it has 211k miles, and runs like a swiss watch.. it's worth it.. anyway, my e30 blows cold-ish, but it doesn't keep up in hot weather... sweating my ass off.. I asked the owner and he advised that I check the aux fan... if it doesn't work it reduces the efficiency of the system by a lot.

[Speed25]

Both my e30s received a r134a conversion, and both blow perfectly cold. My current one does have the problem of "warming" when at a stop if the aux fan isn't on. Right now, it only comes on when the engine gets pretty hot, but it's supposed to also come on with the compressor.

My A/C guys says that LOTS of mechanics put too much r134a in the system. The thinking is that "more is better," and that's WAY off!

[emi]

My aux fan is working. still not very cold. Damn it, i have to take it in... there goes my next paycheck