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Thread: E21 Air Conditioning

  1. #26
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    sold 78 BMW 320i
    Until you get it fixed you can use a frozen water bottle between your crotch. Use a cooler to keep a few cold. Drink the water when it's done melting, replace, repeat.
    Tbd

  2. #27
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    Aug 2013
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    gainesville,fl.
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    1977 320i
    Any chance you could post a picture( or links) of the tools you bought? What would I use see if my system will hold a vacuum?


  3. #28
    Join Date
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    To work on a A/C system you would need a vacuum pump and manifold gauges. I got my 3 cfm vacuum pump used on craigslist for $50, and I got the manifold gauges for $55 at Harbor freight with a coupon. I changed the oil on my vacuum pump so I knew it was good. The manifold gauges work with the old r12 service ports so you don't need to worry about changing those.

    This list is everything you need to work on your A/C system

    Manifold gauges
    http://www.harborfreight.com/ac-r134...set-60806.html

    Vacuum pump
    http://www.amazon.com/Robinair-15310...dp/B005CO9GX6/

    Vacuum pump oil (O'Reilly auto parts also has this)
    http://www.amazon.com/Robinair-13203...dp/B000X1E59S/

    Adapter I needed to connect the manifold gauges to the vacuum pump (You will probably need it too)
    http://www.amazon.com/FJC-6014-Vacuu...dp/B0002JMF98/

    Can tap (lets you connect refrigerant cans to the manifold gauges)
    http://www.amazon.com/Mastercool-855...dp/B000LQODJC/

    Refrigerant (its much cheaper to order a case)

    R134a (usually $10 per can at stores)
    http://www.amazon.com/DuPont-Suva-R1...dp/B00IO4EYMY/

    R12a (I bought this and its supposedly colder)
    http://www.amazon.com/Enviro-Safe-R1...dp/B008WA7E36/

    A/C compressor oil (I am using ester as it works with r12, r134a, and is easier on old seals)
    http://www.amazon.com/FJC-2432-Ester...dp/B0002NYBDC/

    My vacuum pump, oil, and manifold gauges

    Last edited by Thecatmilton; 08-01-2015 at 03:14 AM.

  4. #29
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Atlanta GA
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    76
    My Cars
    1983 320i E21
    Anyone still using R12? It's actually still available Right now my local Craiigslist has multiple sellers who are selling 3 or 4 12oz cans of R12.
    1983 BMW 320i E21

  5. #30
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
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    Texas
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    E21, E24, E34, E46
    Quote Originally Posted by tatersalad View Post
    Anyone still using R12? It's actually still available Right now my local Craiigslist has multiple sellers who are selling 3 or 4 12oz cans of R12.
    It's not even very valuable anymore. The time of 1000's of people needing it for their daily drivers is long past. eBay had dozens of 30lb cans last time I looked.

  6. #31
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    Thecat, are you sure you're not a vampire?
    Tbd

  7. #32
    Join Date
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    gainesville,fl.
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    1977 320i
    I spent $100 on r12 for the e28. I spent $35 on 134a for the e21. Neither one of them works
    The e28 cycles but, not cold. The e21 was empty 2 minutes after I put it in. The wifey is not down with bimmers anymore. I doubt I'll be able to convince to get the 91 318 I've had my eyeballs on. Gonna end up another Damn minivan that will last a year.
    Last edited by dups; 08-02-2015 at 08:44 AM.


  8. #33
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
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    DFW TX USA
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    @Dups All you need to do is replace the O rings. An assorted set of A/C O rings is less than $25. Always give the O rings a light coat of oil before you install them. You can take the A/C evap fan box out in around 25 minutes and replace the 3 (I think) O rings inside and 2 outside. A pair of needle nose pliers with small tips or some snap ring pliers makes the A/C box disassembly and reassembly much easier.Then you pull the plastic grille bit so you can replace 2 O rings on the condenser. Then there are 2 on the compressor and 4 more in the engine bay. I would pull the compressor and change the oil to ester because its easier on old seals and works with r12 and r134a. The connectors are easy to round off and the tubes can bend if you aren't careful. I had to take some out of my parts car because the PO messed up some of the pipes when an A/C delete was attempted. This should be doable in under 3 hours.
    Last edited by Thecatmilton; 08-02-2015 at 01:33 PM.

  9. #34
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    Apr 2014
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    I removed the A/C compressor today so I can change its oil and o rings. The amount of oil and dirt caked on the area I was working on made the job not very fun.. I am going to clean and degrease the area and compressor before I reinstall it.

    Edit: Degreased the compressor with brake cleaner. I thought the compressor was painted black, but it seems to be silver..
    Last edited by Thecatmilton; 08-04-2015 at 05:22 PM.

  10. #35
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    I replaced all the O rings except the ones in the A/C box and now the system holds a vacuum. All of the old O rings were VERY brittle. The tensioner bearing sounds pretty bad and does anybody know where I can get another one?

    EDIT: THE AIR CONDITIONING WORKS! IT IS COLD! I put 12oz of oil in as that is what the york mini 209 needs, but it is making some (frog?) sounds that make me nervous. It also only took 6oz of refrigerant instead of 12 like it should have... I may drain the system and start over in a few days.

    @TomD I found out why the hvac system wasn't getting power. Two brownish wires were in the opposite places on the blower motor resistor.

    FYI, LA's Totally Awesome cleaner from the dollar store is great engine degreaser.

    This is good information on york a/c compressors.
    http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...mpressor.shtml

    Some information if you are confused with the manifold gauges
    http://aircondition.com/tech/questio...ith-Gauges-FAQ

    HC - 12 conversion ammount
    http://bennettsupply.net/HC-12a.htm
    HC-12a® requires 34% of the
    CFC R12 charge by weight

    • HC-12a® requires 40% of the
    HFC R134a charge by weight
    Last edited by Thecatmilton; 01-22-2016 at 03:01 PM.

  11. #36
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    sold 78 BMW 320i
    Whenever our local dollar store has gallon jugs of windshield cleaner, of course I'll grab one

    Regarding that bearing, I don't know what size it is. You maybe able to see the markings on the bearing after cleaning it. Otherwise you may want to wait until the cooler months to dismantle and take some measurements. You'll want a double (rubber) sealed ball type bearing. I've purchased bearings from bearingsdirect.com, the last bearing was for the AC clutch (item # 6206, double rubber sealed, 30x62x16mm), two of these were ~20 bucks after tax and ship.
    Last edited by epmedia; 08-07-2015 at 02:23 AM.
    Tbd

  12. #37
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    @epmedia The degreaser isn't the washer fluid (although I have that too), it's the stuff that is yellow in a spray bottle in the cleaning supply section. The awesome cleaner worked better than brake cleaner for me. A scrub brush and a spray bottle full of water or hose helps too for the gooey clumps of oil and dirt.
    Last edited by Thecatmilton; 08-07-2015 at 03:50 AM.

  13. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thecatmilton View Post
    @epmedia The degreaser isn't the washer fluid (although I have that too), it's the stuff that is yellow in a spray bottle in the cleaning supply section. The awesome cleaner worked better than brake cleaner for me. A scrub brush and a spray bottle full of water or hose helps too for the gooey clumps of oil and dirt.
    I understand it's not the same, I was just jiggling about how I like our local dollar store too
    I've not seen the degreaser yet, maybe they'll have it upon my next visit.
    Tbd

  14. #39
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    Well. The A/C compressor is dying. This is probably why the A/C hasn't been charged in years. I am going to try the A/C compressor from my parts car now.

  15. #40
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    I replaced the A/C compressor and all seems good. My low side pressure is around 40-45 and the high side is around 175 on a 100 degree day. I read that the high side should be around 1.8-2.1 times the outdoor temperature, but I don't want to overfill the system as it is working well.

    The system is pretty easy to fix. Is anybody interested in me making a step by step write up?
    Last edited by Thecatmilton; 08-13-2015 at 12:50 AM.

  16. #41
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    Sep 2013
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    Houston, Texas
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    99 Z3 80 320i 71 2002
    I've been following the thread for a while now and you have a lot of helpful info here. A write up would be great

  17. #42
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    Georgia
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    1982 E21;'06 E90;'14 F30
    A write up would be helpful.

    Also, I posted it before, but if anyone has a condenser for sale I need one. I destroyed the old one when I pulled the engine. BTW, when I removed the hoses I found that the system was charged, so good sign.

  18. #43
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    So Cal
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thecatmilton View Post
    I replaced the A/C compressor and all seems good. My low side pressure is around 40-45 and the high side is around 175 on a 100 degree day. I read that the high side should be around 1.8-2.1 times the outdoor temperature, but I don't want to overfill the system as it is working well.

    The system is pretty easy to fix. Is anybody interested in me making a step by step write up?
    I'd love a step by step write up!

    (Also,where did you get the orings and how did you know what sizes to get?)

  19. #44
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    Apr 2014
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    Tulsa, OK
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    76 2002, 82 e21, 83 e21
    Quote Originally Posted by epmedia View Post
    Thecat, are you sure you're not a vampire?
    Epmedia, I noticed the late night postings also and then there was no reply to your statement...very sketchy.
    He definitely needed to stay cool during the day...hmmm...

    Oh well...Mr. TheCatMilton a write up would be neat . And thanks for all the hard work and sharing your thoughts.

    My wife is definitely going to make a fuss if I do not get the AC fixed for my e21 by next year...so this is my next big project.
    Last edited by SilverPuddle; 09-14-2015 at 12:40 AM.

  20. #45
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    Quote Originally Posted by SilverPuddle View Post
    Epmedia, I noticed the late night postings also and then there was no reply to your statement...very sketchy.
    He definitely needed to stay cool during the day...hmmm...
    My post was because of the vacuum pump and no reflection of Thecatmilton in the mirror
    Tbd

  21. #46
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    Apr 2014
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    DFW TX USA
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    1983 320I, 1986 325E

  22. #47
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    So I never filled my system all the way up. It is amazing now. I previously followed the directions from the manufacturer of the refrigerant. I decided this time to follow the pressures BMW went with and used the R12 pressure information in the link below.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6q...a3c/view?pli=1

  23. #48
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
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    Sacramento, CA
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    1979 E21 320i
    Wait, you're still using the York? Color me impressed. Also, thanks for the copy of the pressure chart. Ever moving to the rotary vane? Or just gonna roll with this until it goes kaboom?
    -John

  24. #49
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    Still using the York. I think the compressor may be knocking with the correct pressures in it.

  25. #50
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
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    Austin, TX
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    1978 323i
    This is the universal parallel-flow condenser I was going to try when I get around to converting mine to r134a. Only $50 shipped via prime..

    https://www.amazon.com/CNFP1416-Univ...words=CNFP1416

    I measured the opening where the current condenser is mounted and it was 16" wide. Assumed I would be needing custom hoses anyways so I didn't bother checking the hose thread sizes.

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