Air conditioning conversion

[drum2430]

Hey guys. I have a 1990 535 with the old style R12 air conditioning compressor and it needs to be replaced. Does anyone know where I can buy a Sanden compressor and adaptor brackets so I can convert to R134 before this Florida heat fries me.

[shogun]

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/77998

[Jon K]

Hm so its r134 in a r12 system and it works fine?

[MBXB]

Bruno has that topic well covered: http://www.bmwe34.net/

[shogun]

It works on his car now about 1 year. Johan has written something about that. Only very early models (E32) need the compressor have to be replaced, others not.
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/aircon_R134a/aircon_R134a.html

But nowadays people even go away from R134a. R134a was at that time the official replacement of R12.

For example R413a.

Some shops do not have this R413a, but R409a.

R409A is a mixture from R 22, R 124 und R 142b
and has been especially made/developed as drop-in for R12.

All this is what I know from Germany/Europe, maybe in USA there are different products more common.

But there is a lot on the internet to read about this.

[Alan_525i]

For what its worth, if the compressor is still working (wasn't clear if you just needed a charge or a new compressor) and you want to keep R12, its still out there. My mechanic has a bunch just sitting around. I had my system re-sealed and recharged with R12. It blows ice cold. Much better than the R134a converted systems I've been in and better than a lot of "stock" R134a systems.

[drum2430]

For what its worth, if the compressor is still working (wasn't clear if you just needed a charge or a new compressor) and you want to keep R12, its still out there. My mechanic has a bunch just sitting around. I had my system re-sealed and recharged with R12. It blows ice cold. Much better than the R134a converted systems I've been in and better than a lot of "stock" R134a systems.

Thanks for the reply Alan. Yes the current compressor is shot and needs to be replaced. I was thinking in terms of the money saved down the road on the price difference between the two different refridgerents. I would like to talk with your mechanic. If he has one "laying around" that still has life in it and he doesn't want a bundle for it it might be worth just replacing the compressor ( & dryer ) rather than doing the conversion. Can you give me his number?

[MBXB]

I ordered a compressor and a drier for my 540 from:

http://www.hancockindustries.com/catalog/BMW.htm

$150 compressor, $60 drier

Mark Irwin 1.800.289.8282 ext.488

[drum2430]

I ordered a compressor and a drier for my 540 from:

http://www.hancockindustries.com/catalog/BMW.htm

$150 compressor, $60 drier

Mark Irwin 1.800.289.8282 ext.488


Thank you for the info Mark. I have contacted them thru e-mail and am waiting for a reply.

Those wheels look great on your car.

[NovceGuru]

http://www.es-refrigerants.com/products/w/id/173/details.asp

I'm not a enviromental tree hugging nut, but this **** freezes me out of the car!
It has a nice pine scent to so you know when its leaking :P

[Kalevera]

http://www.es-refrigerants.com/products/w/id/173/details.asp

I'm not a enviromental tree hugging nut, but this **** freezes me out of the car!
It has a nice pine scent to so you know when its leaking :P
And by installing that **** in your car, you effectively throw away the ability to have any A/C service done on it in the future, short of replacing everything.

About this time of year, it's important to read this article: http://www.koalamotorsport.com/article-airconditioning.asp


The best theory I've heard for why R134 conversions typically don't blow out existing R12 seals is that the R12 oil is insoluable by pag oil. But the compressor incompatibilities are another issue.


best, whit

[athflying79]

Mine blew warm one day. Brought it in to have the system checked and no leaks found. After 15 years, I guess it was just time for a re-charge. Had it re-filled with R12 after talking to several mechanics that said R134 would not blow near as cold. It cost me a lot more but if I get another 15 years out of it, then it was well worth it. I think components will start wearing out before I need another charge.

[NovceGuru]

And by installing that **** in your car, you effectively throw away the ability to have any A/C service done on it in the future, short of replacing everything.

About this time of year, it's important to read this article: http://www.koalamotorsport.com/article-airconditioning.asp


The best theory I've heard for why R134 conversions typically don't blow out existing R12 seals is that the R12 oil is insoluable by pag oil. But the compressor incompatibilities are another issue.


best, whit

Well its actually just a 50/50 mix of butane/propane. I had some cans of it lying around and my A/C was blowing hot, and thought i'd give it a try. We never take our cars anywhere to be worked on, my dads been a machanic for 35 years. If the A/C screws up, i'll just deal with not having any, or replace the part that died, and fill it backup with a 50/50 mix of butane/propane and be done with it. The mix will cost me an entire 5$ to fill up. Its actually used quite a bit in Europe, feel free to flame/correct me, i'm no mechanic myself.

NovceGuru

EDIT: There was also no special valves needed, just your average r134 connector. (We have it marked with a tag so by chance somebody doesn't try to fill it with something else)