Project Neil1138. Adventures of the Cream Machine

[Neil1138]

Replaced the new compressor with the old one. What's interesting is that out of the car, both compressors act like normal. If I put my finger above the low pressure side inlet and manually turn the compressor wheel, I can feel suction on my finger. If I put my finger above the high pressure side outlet and manually turn the compressor wheel, I can feel air pressure building under my finger. It is like this for both compressors, old and new.

Pulling vacuum on system right now. Will let it sit for an hour and try charging again.

-Neil

[Neil1138]

Well, a/c problems continue...

• Replaced the condenser with a brand new parallel flow unit
• Replaced the dryer with brand new "updated" style w/one pressure switch
• Replaced compressor with brand new denso unit. Had to switch out the top plate, and added 6oz of fluid to compressor before re-installing.
• Using air compressor, blew out all lines, to ensure there were no blockages.
• Replaced aux fan resistor
• Removed a/c evaporator and blew that out with compressed air as well.
• All new o-rings
• Pulled a DEEP vacuum (nearly 30inHG) on entire system (low side and high side) for 1 hour, left sitting for another 4 hours. No visible leakage
• Rewired dual mode pressure switch that attaches to a/c dryer
• Went to fill a/c (with entire system under vacuum on both low and high pressure side). Low side would take 80psi and go even higher, but high pressure side stayed at vacuum. Wasn't building any pressure whatsoever.
• I verified that the compressor clutch is working... or at least it is turning when the compressor is engaged.
• Thought maybe there was somehow blockage on high pressure side. Disconnected HP line from compressor, disconnected HP line at firewall and blew compressed air through compressor side (therefore air would flow through HP line, into condenser and through dryer). No problem at all. Compressed air/oil flew out no problem. WTF
• Disconnected HP line from compressor and ran compressor for a few seconds (to see if somehow blockage test wasn't good enough). If all was well, the 80psi on the LP side should have escaped through the HP side but nope. I'm fuckin lost at this point.

I'm going to replace the compressor with my old one and see if that changes anything. I am blown away by the possibility that a brand new denso (OEM) compressor is bad right out of the box. Does anyone have any advice?

[Neil1138]

What are your final spacer specs in the front and rear. Car looks amazing. Pics are great as always. Good luck with the A/C.

I went with 3mm in front and 5mm in the rear.

What'd you do to fit your AC lines?

The dryer also has a filter inside, could be clogged preventing flow.

IIRC the whole system should take a full bottle of oil, about 8 oz.

Line from the condenser to compressor is the e30 318i (M42) line. Line from the evaporator to the compressor is custom. Mix of an s52 line and stock e30 line.

[ReSoP]

I'm also very curious about what you did to the ac lines. to make the fit.

[CRBR30]

Love the OEM look! Great photography as well!

[pandaboo911]

What'd you do to fit your AC lines?

The dryer also has a filter inside, could be clogged preventing flow.

IIRC the whole system should take a full bottle of oil, about 8 oz.

[87'325e]

What are your final spacer specs in the front and rear. Car looks amazing. Pics are great as always. Good luck with the A/C.

[oprahhwinfreyy]

beautiful photos! beautiful car!

[Neil1138]

Went at it again today.

• Removed ac compressor
• Removed ac line from evaporator to dryer
• Removed ac line from compressor to evaporator
• Removed grilles, front bumper, and valence
• Removed condenser and attached ac lines
• Removed aux fan
• removed evaporator and expansion valve
• Before all removal, I tried to test the aux fan. Looks like the resistor for the low speed is bad. If I jumper the pins to the high speed side, the fan runs just fine on high, but on low, I can hear relay K1 just clicking and no fan.
• Also, I evacuated all of the fluid from the ac compressor. Right about 3oz came out, even with me manually turning the compressor wheel.
• Also flushed all of the ac lines using compressed air. Nothing really came out other than some refrigerant residue
• Attempted to flush condenser and about 1-2oz of what looks to be a mix of compressor oil and liquid refrigerant came out.
• I'm just going to replace everything.

Bought a new denso compressor, a PF condenser, new pressure switch, new dryer, and new o-rings. Will get back at it later this week. If this doesn't fix it, I'm out of ideas.

[Neil1138]

So... this weekend's a/c adventures were a disappointment.

With the stock m20

• System was converted to r134a. Always performed well.

During the s52 swap

• Had the system torn apart for a month. Lots of moisture got into the lines I'm sure.
• Made custom a/c lines to get everything to hook up, all new o-rings.
• Purchased a new dryer (actually purchased two different ones because I didn't know which one my car had)
• Installed said dryer, also using the stock S52 a/c compressor
• Pulled vacuum on the a/c system and left overnight. Didn't see any leaks in morning
• Added 2-3oz of PAG46 oil to system
• Charged system with 24oz-ish of r134a
• A/C worked, but was never really that cold. Worked better on highway

As of this weekend

• Evacuated a/c system
• Replaced a/c expansion valve and all line o-rings
• Noticed presence of desiccant on expansion valve that had accumulated on inlet from dryer line.
• Cleaned all of desiccant from exploded dryer. I'm thinking this was from old m20 dryer (pre-s52).
• Pulled vacuum on system, all checks ok.
• Attempted to recharge, however system would not accept more than 6-7oz of refrigerant. Outside temp ~90degF
• Looking at a/c manifold gauge set, pressure on LP side reads 30psi, and HP side reads 275psi when a/c compressor is on. With a/c compressor off, pressure equalizes between LP and HP side. How can the pressures be this high with so little refrigerant??
• No clue anymore. System acts like it has been fully filled, however I know that it isn't. With the LP side open, it refuses to accept any more freon.
• I know the compressor is working as I can see the pressures cycling and I can see/feel the drain on the engine through the tach.
• Additionally, I've noticed that the AUX fan is not working at idle with the a/c on. Need to investigate further.
• Driving around, am only getting 10deg temperature differential when moving. At idle, a/c basically doesn't work.

Any thoughts before I tear this thing apart again? Btw, here is a sexy pic.



<3

[Neil1138]

Man, I haven't posted here in a while. I will have a few photo adventures soon. The A/C sucks in the e30 since the swap and it's really aggravating. Going to rip into it this week. Not sure what else, I've just been driving and enjoying it.

Need to go out for sexy fun time photos soon.

[GDA]

Great read on a cool Alpine.

Thanks for sharing.

[Dj Buttchug]

perfect wheels IMO. plenty of tire. fitment on point. would plow 10/10

[QuiqueUy]

great build . i would stay with the style 5's all the way tho !

[Snowflake87]

Looks great man. I guess I'm in the minority but I love the look of the 15's with meaty tires. It makes the car look tough to me. Great work on the spreadsheet. I plan on doing a s52 swap. This parts list just made it a lot easier than having to trawl multiple posts/forums.