So, I figure this would be a good place to do a little project blog on the installation of my new 134a Air conditioner. I went all summer in houston last year with no AC so it won't happen again. As of right now, here's what I've got in terms of parts:
NIB:
New AC hoses
134a retrofit kit (essentially a shit load of o-rings)
134a compatible drier
New hi/low switch
Synthetic compressor oil
New expansion valve
New belt
2.5 lbs of 134a refrigerant
134a charge oil
I already have a new fan and resistor, so no worries there.
2nd hand parts:
Newer rebuilt seiko-seiki compressor
I intend on buying:
New evaporator
2nd hand e36/e46 condensor (maybe just a new one, too)
At this point, I will have a 100% new AC system. Every piece will have been replaced.
So, here's the deal. I bought these new AC lines a little prematurely. I heard a theory once that all R12 systems leak no matter what. As it turns out, this is somewhat true. The AC lines are actually vented. They are designed to let air escape. Naturally, coolant escapes too. Newer 134a cooled cars use barrier lines. So, it doesn't appear that BMW makes barrier lines for the e30. I haven't quite decided what to do about it yet. I'll either run my new lines and hope for the best, or have my old lines remanufactured with barrier hose and then sell the new ones. The benefit of the latter is that in the process I'll have them install fittings so that my stock lines mate up to the e36 condensor. In case you didn't already know, r12 condensors aren't large enough to properly cool 134a coolant. A larger surface area is needed to drop your ac temps. I'm basically going to go to the junkyard and get the biggest thing I think I can make fit and then have the lines remanufactured to accomodate the changes.
My second issue is this: My compressor says "R12 ONLY" all over it. Now, I looked up the PN and it's associated with a retrofit kit, but the kit is the seal set that I have. Totally independent of the compressor. Also, I've read around and a lot of people have had good results running their original compressors with a similar conversion. Since mine is recently rebuilt, I like my chances. Additionally, I think that the people who's compressors grenaded used a full 2.5lb charge of 134a - which you're not supposed to do. You get the best performance out of a slightly undercharged system. Since I'll be running a larger condensor I can probably get away with 2.5lbs - but I'll have to do some math once I actually get the unit. If it grenades, then I'll buy a 134a converted e30 compressor. I tried to find a seal kit for mine to no avail.
I'll post pictures as soon as I get working - which will probably be this weekend. During this process I'll also complete the following:
New windshield wiper fluid pump and nozzles
New antenna gromett
New Starter
New interior door handle and bezel
New hood release handle and cable
New brake pads, rotors and sensors
Re-skinning a seat.
I'll do my best to document all of these - probably with my iphone camera.
Any tips, comments, concerns or funny pictures are appreciated.
NIB:
New AC hoses
134a retrofit kit (essentially a shit load of o-rings)
134a compatible drier
New hi/low switch
Synthetic compressor oil
New expansion valve
New belt
2.5 lbs of 134a refrigerant
134a charge oil
I already have a new fan and resistor, so no worries there.
2nd hand parts:
Newer rebuilt seiko-seiki compressor
I intend on buying:
New evaporator
2nd hand e36/e46 condensor (maybe just a new one, too)
At this point, I will have a 100% new AC system. Every piece will have been replaced.
So, here's the deal. I bought these new AC lines a little prematurely. I heard a theory once that all R12 systems leak no matter what. As it turns out, this is somewhat true. The AC lines are actually vented. They are designed to let air escape. Naturally, coolant escapes too. Newer 134a cooled cars use barrier lines. So, it doesn't appear that BMW makes barrier lines for the e30. I haven't quite decided what to do about it yet. I'll either run my new lines and hope for the best, or have my old lines remanufactured with barrier hose and then sell the new ones. The benefit of the latter is that in the process I'll have them install fittings so that my stock lines mate up to the e36 condensor. In case you didn't already know, r12 condensors aren't large enough to properly cool 134a coolant. A larger surface area is needed to drop your ac temps. I'm basically going to go to the junkyard and get the biggest thing I think I can make fit and then have the lines remanufactured to accomodate the changes.
My second issue is this: My compressor says "R12 ONLY" all over it. Now, I looked up the PN and it's associated with a retrofit kit, but the kit is the seal set that I have. Totally independent of the compressor. Also, I've read around and a lot of people have had good results running their original compressors with a similar conversion. Since mine is recently rebuilt, I like my chances. Additionally, I think that the people who's compressors grenaded used a full 2.5lb charge of 134a - which you're not supposed to do. You get the best performance out of a slightly undercharged system. Since I'll be running a larger condensor I can probably get away with 2.5lbs - but I'll have to do some math once I actually get the unit. If it grenades, then I'll buy a 134a converted e30 compressor. I tried to find a seal kit for mine to no avail.
I'll post pictures as soon as I get working - which will probably be this weekend. During this process I'll also complete the following:
New windshield wiper fluid pump and nozzles
New antenna gromett
New Starter
New interior door handle and bezel
New hood release handle and cable
New brake pads, rotors and sensors
Re-skinning a seat.
I'll do my best to document all of these - probably with my iphone camera.
Any tips, comments, concerns or funny pictures are appreciated.
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