A/C R12 to R134a using Sanden Compressor with stock M20 oil cooler lines

[bellerto]

Thanks. That's what I was afraid of. I have found plenty of options for the M30 but nothing for the M20. Hard to believe no one is making this kit anymore considering the demand. I would love to have them made if I had the specs from the Air Products kit that is NLA.

It may come down to spending the big bucks on a direct R134a compatible replacement. I just need to confirm all BMW OE options mount with the same bracket in case I need to replace my Denso with a Behr, for example.

[ELVA164]

It's not the same bracket. It's an aluminum plate with two metal arms. You may be able to find a used one somewhere, but I don't think they're made new anymore.

[bellerto]

I used a 508, got it from Summit Racing. I think it was called "Vintage Air" on their site. You still need the Sanden bracket, though.

My car came with a Denso 10P15E. Do you know if the bracket is the same as the Sanden?

Thanks.

I finally saw the link for the build thread but I see that was for e34 with the M30 engine. Would this still work for the M20?

[ELVA164]

I used a 508, got it from Summit Racing. I think it was called "Vintage Air" on their site. You still need the Sanden bracket, though.

[zaq123]

what is the sanden compressor P/N that is best to use for e30 with m20?

up this question.

[digger]

what is the sanden compressor P/N that is best to use for e30 with m20?

[jeffnhiscars]

Valeo owns seltec and although to my knowledge they have never been an OE supplier of compressors they are a highly reputable brand. Having said that, keep in mind that like many other mfgs, they do have Chinese production. I made sure mine was made in Japan.

Again, I am not awar of BMW ever selling an e30 with an r134 specific compressor. Rather they are all "compatible" (meaning the seals will stand up). For the real deal you will need to go aftermark. If you check my cabrio build thread there should be specifics on the seltec model. I orderd one with an aluminum end cap cause I thought I was going to use hoses with aluminum ferrules. The one speced for the bracket I boughtnhad steel hose connections. This is all in the name of having similar metals to limit corrosion but is not a major concern in a salt free environment.

Mounting is your big limit but for someone who has fabbed more exhausts than anyone I know you should be able to sort that part out.

[digger]

i assume Seltec is aftermarket ? what p/n requires least mods to fit to m20 ? if you know)

Do you think p/n 64528391152 is a proper r134 specific compressor ?

[jeffnhiscars]

Bmw didn't ship e30s w r134 until very late in the production run and I'm not sure what compressor they used since they shipped a lot of cars that were "r134 compatible" which means they had updated seals but still were designed for r12

I've installed r134 specific compressors from both sanded (the 507) on the M10 and seltec on the M20. They are both good "modern" r134'specific units but the challenge is mounting.

[digger]

So 116F kinda sucks, it might be time to get the A/C back up to speed

Ok so what’s the latest on new compressors for an M20? i want a good R134a version to get my A/C back up to speed

I’ve noticed that places that sell OE compressors have two p/N x 64528391152 (post 3/1992) and 64528385712 (upto 1992) what is the actual difference? ts my understanding these are not “true” R134a compressors, they are just modified to compatible so the ridiculous pricing isn’t even justified?

The sanden one sounds like the go being a more modern type (quiet, efficient etc) but i want a new one is there a specific part number to look for that is pretty close to PNP ? Do they come with a bracket? I’m ok with modifying a bracket slighty but new lines sounds like a pita especially with headers and oil cooler etc

[Cephas]

Thanks Jeff. The compressor from my car has been sitting uninstalled for years. Going to get a new one from autozone for $215 all said and done instead of rolling the dice on the original. I know it used to work, but I think sitting unhooked amd unused for so many years makes it too big of a risk.

[jeffnhiscars]

You guys are right about mounting brackets for aftermarket compressors. APG no longer makes them so you are limited to either fabbing one or staying with a stock compressor.

The caution with stock compressors is a) they are designed to work at r12 pressures but can still perform admirably and b) only certain ones have seals that are r134a compatible. That's the real risk.

[spike68]

Thanks. Did you have to fabricate a bracket or buy one somewhere? I have my original compressor, but it has been disconnected from the car for years and sitting in the PO's garage/my shed for probably a decade. I'm not going to reuse it, so I'll buy a new one from that list. My big headache is trying to find out if any aftermarket compressors will fit with the stock bracket.

My compressor I am running now was off my vert so I grabbed the bracket as well. It has been on the car not working for over a decade as well. I didnt even know if it would work, but I gave it a shot because its not as if the compressor was engaging for that many years since the switch cuts it off if there is no refrigerant. Most OEM brackets are the same when mounting to the block, but are varied when interchanging compressors with brackets. If you source a compressor try your best to get the bracket with it as well to make things easier.

As far as aftermarket compressors go I am not really sure but there are plenty of OEM compressors from e30s that work just fine so if it were me i'd just stick with that. Getting new compressors are expensive OEM or aftermarket. Youd probably have better luck sourcing one from a member here since its way cheaper.




Sorry Klug for kinda hijacking....

[Cephas]

I am not. Mine is a Denso (technically called Nippondenso). One I may be swapping out for this weekend is a Seiko. I have another but I'm not sure what kind it is. I'll just choose which I think is in better condition when I get there.

Refer to the following list for conversion compatibility and required oil:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6qMSgbyJMbTNWoyb0YzalNHS0U/edit?pref=2&pli=1

Yours is on there. Not sure if yours is rotary or oscillating, but they're both on there. This list was pulled from the conversion thread that was originally referred to by Klug.

Thanks. Did you have to fabricate a bracket or buy one somewhere? I have my original compressor, but it has been disconnected from the car for years and sitting in the PO's garage/my shed for probably a decade. I'm not going to reuse it, so I'll buy a new one from that list. My big headache is trying to find out if any aftermarket compressors will fit with the stock bracket.

[spike68]

Spike, are you using the stock Bosch R12 unit for the conversion? I'm trying to figure out which compressor to buy for my update to R134a.

Thanks!

I am not. Mine is a Denso (technically called Nippondenso). One I may be swapping out for this weekend is a Seiko. I have another but I'm not sure what kind it is. I'll just choose which I think is in better condition when I get there.

Refer to the following list for conversion compatibility and required oil:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6qMSgbyJMbTNWoyb0YzalNHS0U/edit?pref=2&pli=1

Yours is on there. Not sure if yours is rotary or oscillating, but they're both on there. This list was pulled from the conversion thread that was originally referred to by Klug.