nath 134 Report post Posted December 21, 2010 I have an E30 318i auto which I pamper.... but lately I have been doing weekly return trips Kerikeri- Auckland and find the heat is too much. Taking into account what I have already spent/ lavished on the car ("a little more wont hurt", "I love the car" etc), how much do you guys reckon fitting air con would help? OR am i just being a bitch about the current hugely muggy weather. Or cut my losses and sell someone a mint E30? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted December 21, 2010 Completely doable but quite a job. Requires obtaining an air con version heater assy, & removing the dash to change them over. Running the lines Fit pump Fit condenser, fan, etc Wiring the system. Just get the complete system from a donor car. Certainly nice to have & if your car is the "right one" then probably worthwhile - depends if you can do some of the donkey work - the job is straight forward enough but realively labour intensive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tire 10 Report post Posted December 21, 2010 Have all the sh*t you need nath. x2 actually since I don't want it in the touring Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nath 134 Report post Posted December 21, 2010 Have all the sh*t you need nath. x2 actually since I don't want it in the touring Oh hardcore, sweet! i dont know why im replying to this. txting immediately Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1rotty 40 Report post Posted December 21, 2010 Lol have fun Nath-I just pulled one out for a mate but made damn sure I didnt offer to fit it haha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nath 134 Report post Posted December 21, 2010 Hah yeah i've had the whole interior out before so that part is sorted, but heater is a step on top of that :S Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted December 21, 2010 i was on the understanding that E30s used the old standard of refrigerant and were illegal to refill?? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichlorodifluoromethane Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Si Vis Pacem Report post Posted December 21, 2010 i was on the understanding that E30s used the old standard of refrigerant and were illegal to refill?? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DichlorodifluoromethaneWill have to be retrofitted for R-134, not sure if kits are available for E30s? I've got a 1982 Jag that has been retrofitted from the old R-12 system, works well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
antil33t 90 Report post Posted December 22, 2010 I'm reallly tempted to fix mine... I've removed all the engine bay componentry though... didn't cut any wiring. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tire 10 Report post Posted December 22, 2010 There is a modern equivalent to the old stuff available also. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted December 22, 2010 i was on the understanding that E30s used the old standard of refrigerant and were illegal to refill?? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichlorodifluoromethane A lot of miss information about this. Yes illegal to use R-12 still R-12 to R-134 is straight forward - degas & regas That said, receiver drier should be replaced & probably flush the system too. R-134 have different filling ports but simply screw on the R-134 retrofit adapters - even this is not necessary if using R-12 style couplings on the gauge hoses As above reply - R-134 is the modern equivelent Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted December 22, 2010 knew there was a replacement, but thought you had to change compressors/condensors/hoses etc a cost that made it not worthwhile. my mistake /OT Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Etwenty1 45 Report post Posted December 22, 2010 A lot of miss information about this. Yes illegal to use R-12 still R-12 to R-134 is straight forward - degas & regas That said, receiver drier should be replaced & probably flush the system too. R-134 have different filling ports but simply screw on the R-134 retrofit adapters - even this is not necessary if using R-12 style couplings on the gauge hoses As above reply - R-134 is the modern equivelent Another one i have heard is that changing to the new gas will swell the O-rings and required these to be replaced. Anyone know if this is fact or fiction? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Si Vis Pacem Report post Posted December 22, 2010 Another one i have heard is that changing to the new gas will swell the O-rings and required these to be replaced. Anyone know if this is fact or fiction? Haven't heard of that one but as a rule, whether you buy a kit or not it would be a good idea to replace all seals/o-rings etc. Some aircon shops advocate replacing hoses as well but if the upgraded system doesn't show any leaks then all should be good (hopefully).BMW R-134 retrofit kit on Ebay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted December 23, 2010 (edited) Another one i have heard is that changing to the new gas will swell the O-rings and required these to be replaced. Anyone know if this is fact or fiction? Yep have heard of that but never experienced it. Either way - a simple job to replace them - certainly while system is out of the car Replacing hoses - I reacon it's for upselling. If a hose is ok then it's ok Edit - sp Edited December 23, 2010 by hotwire Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites