From digest.v4.n771 Tue Jun 25 19:45:45 1996
From: Monty Sidhu <sidhu_at_nevada.edu>
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 18:22:59 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: <E30> Sanden A/C compressor

Here are the details on the Sanden installation

1. Discharge the system if not already discharged, local shops will do this for you and give credit for the R-12 recovered.
2. Disconnect the clutch wire, connector located by the drier.
3. remove power steering belt and A/C belt.
4. Undo the bolts holding the compressor to the bracket, one at the bottom and 2 at the top.
5. Remove the 2 refregerant lines from the compressor (the nuts are really big, I used vice-grip pliers carefully, don't damage the bolts)
6. Remove the compressor bracket from the engine block (4 bolts)
7. install the Sanden bracket on the engine block as shown on the installation sheet using the appropriate spacers.
8. Bolt the compressor to the brackets on the bottom (there is a picture on the sheet that is helpful)
9. Install the adjusting arms on the bracket and fasten to the compressor.
10. HOSE REMOVAL

10a. Hose from evaporator to compressor. Undo the clamps holding this hose, one is just behind the passanger shock tower and the other is under the radiator overflow tank. Undo this hose at the connector located above the battery tray. Remove this hose and cut off about 2" from the compressor side. Now you can install the supplied connector to the cut end (this will be the larger one) using the hose clamp also supplied or have one crimped on as I did. reinstall using new O rings at both ends.

10b Hose from compressor to condensor. Remove the plastic cover behind the passenger headlights. remove passenger side grill. remove the clamp holding this hose. working from the front of the car, undo the hose connector located on the passenger side of the condensor from the front (visible after removing the grill). Pull the hose out from the engine compartment side. This hose needs to be lengthened 3" only a shop can do this as the metal part is crimped on. Also have a connector crimped on the other side the same size as the smaller connector supplied. I did not use the supplied smaller connector as i was not comfortable having a clamp connection on the high pressure side.

11. Reinstall the hoses using new O rings and making sure they are not touching any part of the exhaust manifold. (it will be close)

12. Re install A/C and power steering belts.

13. Disconnect the wires to the 2 sensors on the drier.(drier is located just behind the headlights on passenger side)

14. disconnect the 2 hoses on the drier and remove the two bolts holding the drier to the car and remove.

15. transfer the sensors to the new drier (it looks exactly like the factory unit)

16. Install the drier and lines using new O rings and connect the sensors.

17. Reinstall the plastic panel behind the headlights.

18. Have the system evacuated and recharged (and checked for leaks) and enjoy the cool air.

• do not remove the caps on the compressor outlet/inlet untill ready to attach the hoses as the oil will leak out if the compressor tipped over.

Overall, the procedure is quite straightforward (after I realized that the hose lengths would have to be modified and took about 3 hours) hope this helps and feel free to e-mail if you have any questions

Monty Sidhu
86 325es
89 M3

On Tue, 25 Jun 1996, Sam
Chien-shin Lin wrote:

> hi monty,
>
> i'd like the details, and i'm sure lots of other netters would, too,
> so could you please post them?
>
> thanks a lot.
> -sam
> ...still running w/ no a/c...
>