Overhaul the A/C?

[Mastrcruse]

I have been searching to see if there was a thread like this but couldn't come up with any results that really told me what I need to do.

I want my A/C to work, BLOW COLD!

My brother had his done last summer (recharged), it blew cold for 3 months and stopped.

All the components work in the A/C unit on my vert so does this mean I just need a recharge? Or do I need to do something else? (ex. replace lines, condensor)

Please help me out so I can make sure that I don't waste my money getting it recharged only to have it not work.

Thanks
DJ

[bimmerpirate]

have you checked for leaks yet? put some dye in it and run it for a while then look to see if there are any leaks. that is the easiest way to start finding problems with the A/C.

you have to put a can of dye in it, then charge the A/C up to it's max minus the amount used with the dye so it equals out. run it for a week or so then look to see if the dye has leaked out anywhere. if you are lucky, it'll just be a few deteriorated gaskets.

R134a will break down the gaskets in the R-12 systems which is the basic upgrade needed to convert to R-134a you can run without until they break down. that's what i'm doing. :P

[Mastrcruse]

Is there a special dye that I should get?

[bimmerpirate]

my shop uses a UV florecent dye but i think walmart, auto zone, pepboys sells a leak detector. It's meants for R-134a systems but it'll work as long as you already have the adaptor for the high side.

just do a google search for "ac leak dye" and it'll come up with more information on it.

[87-325ic]

there are threads for the a/c o-ring replacement and extended conversion topics.

search here and e30tech.

[Mastrcruse]

I did see the threads about the o-ring replacements and things. Will replacing o-rings and a recharge make it relaible though and not just last me a couple of months?

I just don't want to waste too much money and then find out the system is a typical e30 system that 80% of the time won't work.

[lordofthewaters]

I didn't replace o rings and such on mine, just charged with r134a and I'm on year 3 without a recharge.