Unofficialbmw.com

[jamesnau]

UBBers,

It has been a while since I have posted. I hope everyone is doing OK with their beloved e30. These cars are amazingly robust! Everything works great on my wife's '85, even the interior light retarder! 85-325e, I had to repair this recently and thought of you. I also replaced the driver and front passenger window motors, and the central locking system control unit.

It is finally time for a complete A/C overhaul--my wife complained last summer, but just didn't get around to it. Will replace compressor, receiver/drier, and expansion valve. Of course, I will flush the system completely. I have all of the tools including flush canister, gauges, and a vacuum refrigeration pump. I am EPA certified and have a case of R12 on hand.

I would like a guide. 85-325e, I remember you overhauled your A/C a few years ago (maybe more than a few by now). Do you have a guide with photos that I can study? Your t-belt/water pump how-to was (is) great.

Thank you in advance,
Jim
'85 325e, 215K and still going strong

[85-325e]

Hi Jim! Welcome back!

I just checked and I only have about 6 pictures of that job, all of which deal with flushing the evaporator.

It's very straighforward though. The expansion valve is easily clogged, and there's a foam "fliter" in the compressor that degenerates, and that crap collects in the expansion valve. I didn't remove that when I did the job, but cleaned it... for some reason, I decided to put it back. If I were to do this job again, I'd remove it completely because it's the main culprit. You may find that the compressor's fine, but that the filter thing has disintegrated and the particles of which are all over the place.

You basically just start removing stuff... all unbolts easily. Then flush. Flushing each tube is easy once they're out, but I'd remove everything before yo flush anything... especially the expansion valve, which is the collector for most crap.

Don't forget the oil in the system, and replace EVERY o-ring. The toughest part for me was flushing the evaporator as I had to jerry-rig a system of hoses from outside the car and had heavy protection inside the cabin to guard against that flush spilling on the carpets.

As far as filling is concerned, I think I underfilled with R-12 a bit. I noticed when I was back in New York with the car in the very hot summer of 2009, the cooling wqas OK... not spectacular. I may top it off soon, but it means using a portion of a can... wish they were resealable.

Wish I could be of more help Jim... I don't know why I didn't take more pictures of that job when I did it... I think I just wanted to get it over with!
_________________
Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 231,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong!

[jamesnau]

85-325e,

Great to hear from you!

Gotta replace the compressor. It is original and covered with oil so the shaft seal is shot. Also, the suction pressure is high and the discharge pressure is low...reed valves are likely shot. Looking forward to the job. I guess the only question I have pertains to access to the x-valve.

As an old mechanical engineer, A/C work is right up my alley. Just hope everything comes loose, and access isn't a problem. I am not as flexible as I once was. I think I have aged 10 years in the 3 years since I replaced the clutch. That was a fun job.

Not sure I have posted since my new addition...I am the proud owner of a "new" e36...'95 325iC. Bought it last June from an estate. Had only 65K miles...yes, 65K, and now only has 68K. I have enjoyed restoring this car to its youthful vigor...just maintenance really. Bought for $7K and another $7K in it, so I basically have a new e36 vert for $14K...can't beat that. I have worked on it just about every weekend since June. I have placed 6 Pelican orders since June, and have finally pretty much run out of things to do on it. As you might imagine, it drives like an absolute dream. I have my eye on an '88 low mileage 5-series car. Belongs to the parents of one of my young NC State colleagues.

Take care,
Jim