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Author Topic: A/C Recharge  (Read 5974 times)

Bill-B

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« on: August 08, 2007, 01:31:18 PM »
How do I know which kit to buy?  Do the DIY kits work well?  I searched and couldn't find anything
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oldtimer

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« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2007, 01:44:21 PM »
Try to look for one that has the oil and leak detector for your first re-charge that is if you are talking about doing the R134 kit, if not then I can honestly say you will find it hard to find a re-charge kit for the old R12 stuff.
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Bill-B

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« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2007, 01:45:34 PM »
How do I know if it is R12 or R134?
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nomad

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« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2007, 02:38:48 PM »
If your current system is totally stock and it has schrader valves on the A/C lines then it is still R12. If it has been retrofitted it'll have a different style valve screwed onto the schrader valve, like an airhose fitting.

Make sure the compressor is kicking on first of all. If it is, move to the recharge kits.

If your R12 system is blowing barely cold then you have some R12 in it still. You can get some stuff called "freeze12" or have the local shop fill it with this stuff and see if that's all it needs.

If it doesn't blow cool then you may not have any R12 in it at all. Mine was empty. You can choose to go to a shop and vaccuum out the system before filling with R134a or chance that the system is empty.

If you want to spend as little as possible then you can go to walmart and get an A/C recharge/retrofit kit for under $40. It has fittings you put on the shcrader valves and three cans of R134a. You just screw on the fittings, fill it with the R134a and it should workout ok.

If you have a 318is '91 then the system has a newer compressor with seals that work with R134a from all I've seen.

My personal experience is this:
My system didn't work since I bought it, and the PO said it didn't work. I had no evidence of retrofit. I figured I'd try the cheapest method before paying $400 or more to do the whole thing. I got the walmart kit for $36, screwed on teh low side adaptor and put in one can of R134a. The system now works and has worked for about 1-2 months with no issues. It sure is nice having A/C!

No, I did not vaccuum the system, I did not purge the system into the air, I did not replace the condenser, I did not change any seals.
I didn't do anything but put in one can of R134a.

It works fine so far and if it craps out I am more than willing to pay the $400-$600 to repalce th whole deal, but I'm happy with $35 for now!

I would say that the stock compressor puts a good load on the engine, I can see it on the mpg meter and feel it. From all accounts the newer compressors don't put nearly the load on the motor. I'm willing to change that out in the future.
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Bill-B

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« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2007, 03:06:27 PM »
Wow, thanks for the help, you know what you are talking about.  I just bought 2 bottles and my friend has the other parts
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sheepdog

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« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2007, 09:39:00 PM »
Keep in mind, the compressor may not start unless the system detects at lest some pressure. It is to keep the compressor from overheating. So you may have to add some to even see it spin at all.

I did Freeze12 2 years ago and have not regretted it. Best $40 I spent on the car. I did not vacuum it, it was empty, but I did let it purge out some Freeze12 to blow out the system. I also added leak stop and lube.

Regardless of what you do, inform the new owner, add the caps or whatever, but inform them. If it is mixed and taken to a shop for a recharge and it contaminates their R12 supply, they will not be happy, and at current prices, when you/or they get the bill for it, they will be extremely unhappy as they may be buying a lot of contaminated freon. As in you could possibly buy another e30 for what they will charge.


Adding r134 to an r12 system is not really a good idea. Especially if there is any left in place.
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Bill-B

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« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2007, 09:43:43 PM »
Done and blows cold.  Feels weird to have the windows up?!?!?!  My left arm is a bit (noticeably) tanner than the right from it hanging out the window:D
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gearheadE30

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« Reply #7 on: August 09, 2007, 09:46:09 AM »
Where can I get the freeze12? My AC doesn't do much, and hasn't ever been recharged. It's the original stuff from 1990. All I have to do with that is connect it to the valve in the engine bay, right? I'm pretty much clueless when it comes to knowing what to buy to fix the AC.
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dude8383

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« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2007, 10:09:07 AM »
Quote from: nomad;31242

I would say that the stock compressor puts a good load on the engine, I can see it on the mpg meter and feel it. From all accounts the newer compressors don't put nearly the load on the motor. I'm willing to change that out in the future.


A brand new compressor won't put as much of a load, or do you mean one from another BMW won't put too much of a strain?
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sheepdog

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« Reply #9 on: August 09, 2007, 11:34:03 AM »
Quote from: gearheadE30;31282
Where can I get the freeze12? My AC doesn't do much, and hasn't ever been recharged. It's the original stuff from 1990. All I have to do with that is connect it to the valve in the engine bay, right? I'm pretty much clueless when it comes to knowing what to buy to fix the AC.


Ebay.

Get the complete kit, look around, I think I paid about $40.
Worth every penny.
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nomad

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« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2007, 02:03:37 PM »
I mean a brand new "latest style" comressor they sell now won't put as much drag on the motor. Mine is like hitting the "NOS yo" when I turn off the A/C.
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dude8383

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« Reply #11 on: August 09, 2007, 02:32:40 PM »
Quote from: nomad;31299
I mean a brand new "latest style" comressor they sell now won't put as much drag on the motor. Mine is like hitting the "NOS yo" when I turn off the A/C.


haha, yeh, thats how mine feels!

So how much does a new compressor cost?
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nomad

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« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2007, 04:52:18 PM »
$350?
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FL318is

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« Reply #13 on: August 10, 2007, 09:23:56 AM »
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nomad

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« Reply #14 on: August 10, 2007, 09:35:59 AM »
Civil engineer huh? That's why our roads and bridges are so bad...
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