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Thread: Junkyard AC Compressor and Drier

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    San Diego, CA
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    232
    My Cars
    90' 735iL, 90' 535i, 93'

    Junkyard AC Compressor and Drier

    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

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
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    Green Bay, WI
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    1992 750il / 1991 560 SE
    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.
    ______________________________
    1992 750iL

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Boynton Beach, Florida
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    My Cars
    1990 735I (E32) M30
    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







  4. #4
    Join Date
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    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    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!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2012
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    Boynton Beach, Florida
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    1990 735I (E32) M30
    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.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    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
    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







  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
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    San Diego, CA
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    My Cars
    90' 735iL, 90' 535i, 93'
    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?

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    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!

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    1992 750il / 1991 560 SE
    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.
    ______________________________
    1992 750iL

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Sunnyvale, California
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    179
    My Cars
    1984 318i

    Junkyard AC Compressor and Drier

    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.

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    90' 735iL, 90' 535i, 93'
    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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