A documentation of my 91 318is A/C removal and a question

[Nimble]

Hi guys, I'm new here and just picked up a nice 91 red 318is on gray cloth with no sunroof earlier this week. I'm from the E36 arena having owned a 1995 318is, 1992 325i, and a 1995 M3, but I've got to say, I sure do love the E30's even more! They seem to be built so well from what I can tell so far.

Anyways, I'll post some pics of what I accomplished today with the A/C removal (removed both lines, receiver/dryer, and compressor and bracket). Going to remove the condenser once I have the motivation to take the front bumper off.

My questions is in taking off the Compressor bracket, should I reinstall the 5 bolts that held it to the block? I did reinstall the very long bolt and made it tight to the block by adding about 25 small washers to it, there is a pic below, tell me what you guys think. In the other pics, you'll also see the bare 5 holes, and my main concern is in leaving them open like that. Is it easy to buy up 5 new shorter bolts that perfectly thread into those holes on the block?

Thanks in advance guys.

BTW, so far this week the car has had a full interior removal, everything cleaned and vacuumed, reinstalled only the front seats, the back seats and trunk are stripped. I'll post a few of those pics as well. Also took all 4 wheels off individually and scrubbed them inside and out. Good times, haha, I'm at a 13-14 hour tally so far in 3 days of working on the car. Up next is a full buff and clay on the paint.

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pic of removed various lines, rusted out receiver/dryer, and compressor

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side pic before compressor was removed

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side pic after compressor and lines were removed, new empty area circled in red.

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bolt with washers.

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empty holes that I'm questioning if they need to have bolts in them? red circled one is now where the bolt with washers is.

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ghetto cut lines that now are only attached to the condenser.

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pic of car in the process of front wheel removal and cleaning yesterday, as well as lower splash guard removal, fog coers, fan shroud, headlight backing covers, all for cleaning, and some to keep off.

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a wheel before pic.

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and a after pic. :)

[Mike325]

Nice work! Car looks good as well. I would find some bolts that go into the holes. They are cheap and will give it a cleaner look. Also, water could get it the holes and freeze, cracking the block:down:

[Nimble]

Nice work! Car looks good as well. I would find some bolts that go into the holes. They are cheap and will give it a cleaner look. Also, water could get it the holes and freeze, cracking the block:down:

Yeah, that makes sense. I'm just wondering what you guys have done on your cars if the A/C comprssor bracket was removed? I could always just put the stock bolts back in for now, even though they are too long. Hmm?

[golde30]

ummm...pull the condenser off also. will make your radiator cool more efficiently.

[Nimble]

ummm...pull the condenser off also. will make your radiator cool more efficiently.

Yep, I pulled that the night I took those pics. That thing is heavier than I thought with the electric fan attached to it. It was a pain to tilt the radiator back when I yanked the condenser out. Oh well, it's done.

[Nimble]

I also put the A/C compressor bracket back in. I removed the pulley, simple greened the crud off it, and high temp painted it in black. So at least it looks better than it did.

Even with all the 6 bolts back in with extra washers, it couldn't mimmick the force the bracket put on the seal, so it was very minorly leaking. The small leak is now gone since I put the bracket back on. Good thing it only weighs 3 or 4 lbs. The majority of the weight was in the compressor, condenser, electirc fan, and a bit in the receiver/dryer and various lines and fittings.

Adios A/C!