R12 to R134a conversion HELP!!

[BMWmk00]

OK, so the search sucks! I can't seem to find what I really I am looking for.

I just bought a R134a system complete from another member here, but I can't find a good DIY. My '92 325i system is done and toast. So I am going to do the swap finally. I am moving in a few weeks to a hot climate and would like the AC system working again.

Has anyone done this coversion and could offer some helpful advice. My new system came from a 99 e36 i think and will be here by the weekend.

Thanks
Mike

[choffa]

Take a look at thissite. Search function at top.

http://www.acsource.net/acforum/

Here's one of many about conversion to R134a:

http://www.acsource.net/acforum/viewtopic.php?t=1721&highlight=r134+conversion

[Tiptronik]

What was toast with your R12 system?

[BMWmk00]

one of the lines fittings broke and the compressor seized. Made an aweful sound when it happened.

[Tiptronik]

That's strange. Normally there is a low pressure switch that should have shut down the a/c system if it purged. The compressor should have just stopped when the clutch disengaged.

More or less, all you really need is the compressor and the fittings for the conversion. Since you don't have R12 in the system anymore, you should be able to just swap the compressor out for a good one. I'm not familiar with all the changes in the a/c system from '92 onwards, so you could have fitment problems with some of the components. Things like your evaporator core and the condenser can be kept if in good order, but the new condensers are usually larger than the R12 ones.

You should swap the accumulator as well and make sure to change the o'rings wherever you have pulled apart the a/c system. I would recommend getting an a/c shop to do the conversion anyways as they can purge any moisture in the system with dry nitrogen and do a proper pressure test, usually quite inexpensively. Then the service fittings will also need to be converted over to the newer R134a service fittings. Once this is done, you can have the system charged with R134a and ester oil for the compressor.

[BMWmk00]

Thanks for the help. I will hopefully be doing the swap next week and hope all goes well. Thanks again.

[Yuen]

Bump. Has anyone attempted a R12 to R134a conversion on an E36? I am planning to do the same, and I'm wondering what needs to be changed - compressor, condenser, dryer (I think some people call it an accumulator)?

If anyone has info it would be much appreciated! :)

[RJ's325ITS]

Bump. Has anyone attempted a R12 to R134a conversion on an E36? I am planning to do the same, and I'm wondering what needs to be changed - compressor, condenser, dryer (I think some people call it an accumulator)?

If anyone has info it would be much appreciated! :)

+100000

I'm another E36 owner trying to do the same.

Rafa,

[choffa]

http://autoacrepairs.com/134aConversion.htm