Got my ac checked out and I need a new compressor and drier.
luckily i have an amazing junkyard available to pull parts from. What I've seen on real oem I can pull a compressor off of a newer model but I wanted to get the forums opinion on this type of project before I pull the parts.
\also my junkyard offers warranty and returns
I would buy a new drier, they are cheap and considered a regular serviceable part like a fuel filter. A bad drier can destroy a system. The compressor is actually not too hard to replace, so I would certainly consider a yard pull if the price was right.
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1992 750iL
If you begin looking in the junk yard, try and find this one. We have the same car and this is the direct fit. Over a grand today. Being in Florida I should have bought a spare five years ago when I replaced mine. They were only 600 bucks back then.
1990 735I (Auto) E32 Feb 1990 to Present
1996 Z3 Roadster (5 Speed) E36/7 Jan 1999 to Dec 1999
1983 733I (5 Speed) E23 April 1983 to Feb 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d4tHoHGaJo
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Av20xCMMocSsyEpl...h_oOk?e=ekIcAT
check with demetk, he just made another batch of adapter kits for the Sanden ac compressor to fit the M30 and S38 engine https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...tch-being-made
the Sanden are much cheaper
Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!
Also, when you pull a compressor from a junk car, check the fittings on the A/C lines and see if the larger 134a fittings are installed. That would at least give you an idea if you're taking it off a car that has been converted. If yours is and the one you're getting is from an R12 car, you'll need to drain and change the oil in the compressor before you install it.
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I forgot all about the Sanded compressors. I'm almost sure I had one of those on my E23.
1990 735I (Auto) E32 Feb 1990 to Present
1996 Z3 Roadster (5 Speed) E36/7 Jan 1999 to Dec 1999
1983 733I (5 Speed) E23 April 1983 to Feb 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d4tHoHGaJo
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Av20xCMMocSsyEpl...h_oOk?e=ekIcAT
Always I greatly appreciate all the excellent feedback!
My car is still r12. Aside for the H/L fittings to recharge the system will I need a conversion kit to place the 134a compressor on the old r12 lines?
Not absolutely, I only bought a cheapo R134a conversion kit with the gas and proper oil in it, it includes the new adapters for R134a you have to install, I replaced the dryer (because I had a leak there anyway), made a loooong vacuum of the system, added the new R134a and it works since 2006. I did not change any of the o-rings in the system. Your 1990 should have a compressor which can also run on R134a, only very old ones had to be replaced.
Here are the instructions
see under David's project notes http://www.e38.org/e32/
and Tim also has a good instruction , see AC regass http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E32/Index.htm
Compressors incompatible with R134a
1 377 940 1 377 941 1 377 943
1 377 944 1 377 946 1 377 947
1 385 416 1 385 930 1 386 411
according this this list http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/airc...con_R134a.html
I would in any case also change the dryer, does not cost much.
Last edited by shogun; 08-19-2017 at 01:03 AM.
Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!
I can't pull it up, but I posted some AC info too. If I recall, double check, ester oil is the ideal oil as its compatible with 134a AND r12 that may remain in the system. So for conversions, its the best option. Only if you can clean it all out 100% should you use PAG oil or whatever its called.
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1992 750iL
A junkyard drier will be useless as the desiccant will be soaked with moisture.
The old r12 rotary vane compressors are pretty bullet proof, not very efficient compared to the piston type. I recently put an old seiko from an e30 into my e32 and the AC works great. Compressor has about 180k miles already
Buying a $600 compressor isn't worth it imo, the cost/benefit isn't there. You'd be better off getting a new aux fan and parallel flow condenser.
Last edited by pandaboo911; 08-05-2017 at 03:55 PM.
Update!
On the advice on the forum I bought the new drier online $24 w/shipping. Was able to pull a decent r134 compressor from a 94 e32, $65 with a 90 day warranty. AC is all good now! Very cold at higher rpm, cold enough at idle. Once I top off the freon all will be perfect. Thanks again to all!
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