Hack Mechanic DIY Sanden compressor install.

[demetk]

My ac compressor developed an annoying whine so I figured it was time to install my Sanden compressor that I bought online for $130 shipped.
Problem was it doesn't fit the stock m30 ac bracket and since this post is a hack mechanic special I needed to build my own brackets.

Some pics of my brackets built out of some strap steel, washers, nuts and bolts.











Pics of the compressor installed,







Pressures at idle,



And the best part, vent temps at idle.
I used a meat thermometer so the top temp is the actual temp. When the bottom temp is reached the ac is done.
After 4 12oz cans of r134 the system maxed out at 41.1 degrees at idle.
I think my 89 e34 system takes 4.25 lbs of R12 vs 2.9 lbs of R12 for the e28.
That makes a big difference in cooling capacity.



And no more whine.

cheers.

[eightynine535]

Nice work.

Sanden does have brackets to fit the e34 m30 engine though.

[demetk]

Checked Amazon where I originally saw it for a good price,

http://www.amazon.com/Air-Products-C...3830771&sr=8-1

and autohausaz,

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...=W0133-1609237

both out of stock.

[eightynine535]

Got mine from BMP Design. Came with the brackets.

[brokatrot7]

Demet, is this Sanden 508? I was reading somewhere about an "upgrade" compressor from Sanden SH514 I think and wondered if anyone had tried that one.

[Layne]

Ha, that's practically identical to the bracket I made for my M88 (has the same a/c bracket).



A friend of mine sells this bottom bracket so I just went with that instead of making anything. (www.millersmule.com)

[brokatrot7]

Layne, does your buddy sell the mount regularly? I didn't see them on the site.

[Layne]

Layne, does your buddy sell the mount regularly? I didn't see them on the site.

I'll ask if he has any in stock. You'll have to call or email to order. Note that they aren't really made for M30's, it's just kind of generic. I think I had to make a spacer to go behind the bolt on the engine block side to make it all line up. I guess some washers would do.

[demetk]

Demet, is this Sanden 508? I was reading somewhere about an "upgrade" compressor from Sanden SH514 I think and wondered if anyone had tried that one.

I think there is a 7 series compressor that has a bigger cooling capacity that can be used. The 5 series compressor is smaller and by the looks of it is doing the job nicely.

I can't tell if these Chinese knockoffs are any good from a longevity standpoint, but it looks like all compressors are made there now anyway.

Ha, that's practically identical to the bracket I made for my M88 (has the same a/c bracket).



A friend of mine sells this bottom bracket so I just went with that instead of making anything. (www.millersmule.com)

Nice! I wish the hack in me could take the time to fab something like that up.

[attack eagle]

nicely done!
"when you can"t find the right parts, and it has to be done right now, you make the wrong parts fit right, right now!"

[clevertd]

Well done. I wish I would have gone this route rather than a reman one.

[70383roadrunner]

4-12oz cans of R134. That's interesting because when BMW did my conversion the green sticker they put on the radiator support said 2.09 lbs to fill the system. And you added 3lbs.

[demetk]

4-12oz cans of R134. That's interesting because when BMW did my conversion the green sticker they put on the radiator support said 2.09 lbs to fill the system. And you added 3lbs.

Yup 4 12 oz cans of r134 + 1 can oil charge (containing 8.5 oz of PAG oil and 2 oz of r134 as the propellent).

On the 89 the engine compartment tag says 4.25 lbs of R12. I'm pretty sure that you fill with R134 to 80% of the R12 capacity, so 80% of 16 oz (1 lb) is 12.8 oz. I used 4 12 oz cans so I may be a bit under charged. The 41.1 degree vent temps made me stop there.

So is your system originally R12?

[Hoolie]

When mine blew up i found a used one from a yard 1000sek shipped..

Local AC shop has factory refurbed ones for 3995sek .

Paid the local AC shop to change it out for me and fill it up. Had a working AC before the old compressor seized up..

They charged me for 2hrs work and it works fine..

R134 isn't something you can really buy here and the AC shops are keen to keep their licenses too so ..

[70383roadrunner]

Yup 4 12 oz cans of r134 + 1 can oil charge (containing 8.5 oz of PAG oil and 2 oz of r134 as the propellent).

On the 89 the engine compartment tag says 4.25 lbs of R12. I'm pretty sure that you fill with R134 to 80% of the R12 capacity, so 80% of 16 oz (1 lb) is 12.8 oz. I used 4 12 oz cans so I may be a bit under charged. The 41.1 degree vent temps made me stop there.

So is your system originally R12?

Yes it was R12. Needed condensor replaced and they told me it would be a good time to do the switch to R134 which I did. I tought that wasn't enough so this year I put a full can in and got the temp down to 50 degrees. I didn't want to add another can without having the gauges.

[demetk]

Kind of a weird round-about update.

I also have an 88 535is and I decided to fab up some brackets for the upcoming Sanden compressor retrofit on it.
Anyway since both cars have M30's and the A/C compressor bracket is the same I figured some may be interested.
Here's the version 3 brackets I created.



Read all about it here: http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f...60555#p1260296

I have uploaded a scanned pdf of the bracket to my google drive.
It's available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7z...it?usp=sharing
Print it out and you can fab your own brackets if you are so inclined.

cheers.

[3toedshewie]

Hi DemetK,
the google link is broken, can you please post a picture of the measurements of the bracket?

[demetk]

Hi DemetK,
the google link is broken, can you please post a picture of the measurements of the bracket?

Let me know if this works for you, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WYU...ew?usp=sharing

- - - Updated - - -

Pics of how the brackets are used with the sanden 508 and the m30 compressor mount, http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=144670

[shogun]

@demetk: the link in your post # 18 to the pics does not work anymore, maybe you upload the pics here on the forum server. Thanks

[demetk]

Thanks shogun. Post updated and here is a jpg of the drawing,