A/C Woes

[Digitalwave]

After almost 6 years of owning my car I am finally ready to fix the A/C! I took it into a shop today and this is what they told me. The system is bone dry. I figured this since my A/C compressor doesn't turn on. The guy said he could fill it with R12 for me, but if it leaked out it'd be a waste of money.

He wants to convert the car to R-134 and diagnose it then, since its a lot cheaper. BUT, to convert to R-134 all he wanted to do was to change the fittings on the lines.

I figured if that were the case, why don't I just buy one of those R-134 retrofit kits from an auto parts store for $35? My system is already dry and it hasn't been opened so it shouldn't need to be vacuumed. And even if I have a leak, one of those refill cans is less than $10 and I wouldn't mind topping it off now and then.

The way I see it is, my air is never going to be as cold as my mom's Honda's, but if I can get it cool enough that I only need to run my sunroof cracked instead of all my windows open, I would be happy.

Thoughts?

[Stu]

TJ, I'm pretty sure Rob's dad had success with one of those kits in his 318is. Sounds like you are in a similar situation, you might try PMing Rob.

[Digitalwave]

Thanks Stu.

I forgot to mention, my car is a 1990 so from what I read the compressor should already be R-134 compatible.

[DanielHStout]

If you haven't had ac working for that long I'd bet all your seals are shot. If the system is dry for an extended period of time the seals dry out and leak like a mutha. Go with the kit and see what happens.

[325iCabrio]

Dude, if I were you, I'd try to reseal my AC lines, get a new receiver/dryer (because they pack up after many years), do a dye test, and refill it with R12. R-134 is cheaper, but it also doesn't cool as well, especially with our low BTU compressors.

The only way I'd go with R134 is if I got one of the Sanden compressors to replace the Bosch one. That way you'd get very cold air with cheap refills. Obviously this route costs more.

[luvin my 325es]

The amount of $ you are willing to spend will directly affect the level of cooling you will actually get.
10$ topoff if it works, (if there was no leak then no need for topoff) might get 70 deg. F At the vents.
My advice would be pay the $100+- to have the system evacuated.
If it holds vacuum, replace reciever, dryer and recharge with r-12.
Then you will really be chillin.
R-12 and 134a use different types of oil and do not mix. It may work for a short period but sooner or later your o-rings will go bad.
Good luck

[Dave]

Skafrog psoted about using Freeze12, an R12 substitute - might try sending him a PM as well.

[Digitalwave]

Fuck it, if the seals are going to be dry and its just going to leak everywhere I'm not even going to waste my money.

[DanielHStout]

Yes but you don't yet know how nice de AC is in de e30 when it is working. Ooo just imagine the cool frosty air spewing from your beautiful vents. Seriously though its almost winter. You will literally feel differently about this when next summer rolls around.

[Digitalwave]

I've had the car for 5 summers without A/C.

[DanielHStout]

Sucks to be you in Florida. Haha.

[Rob]

new dryer+cheap r134 kit worked well for about 2 years in my dad's 318, its getting a bit weak now (its my gf's car now); I dont know if its leaky or the r134 is running out or whatever, but it was a cheap fix!

[Digitalwave]

Alright, so if I got one of those R-134a conversion kits from BMA that has all the new seals, got a new drier, and then evac'd the system I'd probably be good. What sucks is I don't even know if the compressor is good or not.

BMA lists 2 different receiver/driers. One is $15, the other is $63. Why the price difference, and which do I need?

Do you think I'd have any luck vacuuming the system myself with a vacuum pump like this one? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92475 Would it be able to remove the old oil?

[DanielHStout]

I have a good AC compressor if your interested. Cheap!

[Koony]

That pump in the R12 version and a gauge manifold would be all you need to see if you have any vacuum leaks.

Here's an example from Snap-on http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

Harbor may have one for less.