What to do with broken air con?

[leed]

Ok the air con on my 89 325 touring has finally packed up Looks like it need re gasing but alas R12 is dead (is there nowhere you can get it?)

I take it there's no drop in gas for R12 so I only have the R134a option, where and how much are the conversion kits, can I do this myself or is it a garage job?

Hot in Hounslow
Lee

[ian332isport]

Ok the air con on my 89 325 touring has finally packed up Looks like it need re gasing but alas R12 is dead (is there nowhere you can get it?)

I take it there's no drop in gas for R12 so I only have the R134a option, where and how much are the conversion kits, can I do this myself or is it a garage job?

Hot in Hounslow
Lee

You may be able to get an r134a conversion kit from a specialist, but it is certainly available from the dealer. You need BMW part number 82 31 9 067 394 - approx Ԛ£115.

This kit provides a new dryer, and various other parts required to do the conversion (o-rings, r134a fitting adaptors, new pressure switch etc). All these parts can easily be fitted at home if you know one end of a spanner from the other

If you get the kit from the dealer, there is a yellow label on the box telling you to get the parts guys to print off the installation instructions. Make sure you do this.

Once the new parts are fitted, you can get an A/C place to vacuum it out, leak check and fill with r134a.

Job's a good'n.

Ian.

[Demlotcrew]

Looks like i will also need to pick up a one of these kits soon!

A

[ian332isport]

Looks like i will also need to pick up a one of these kits soon!

A

Andrew,

It's deffo worth getting the kit for Ԛ£115 (or less with a bit of discount ). The dryer on it's own sells for about Ԛ£130, and the pressure switch is about Ԛ£40.

Ian.

[dsio]

My 318i was out of R12 when I bought it, but instead of doing the change over, I had a refridgerant mate put me onto a special gas called "ISCEON 49"

Here is the link to the website: http://www.isceon-refrigerants.co.uk/IS ... oduct.html

It is a straight drop in replacement for R12, its ozone free, no more dangerous that R134A, and insanely cold. When you switch from R12 to R134A, you can feel it isnt quite as cold. Its ok, just not that good. On this Isceon 49 studd, with the knob at the far end of the blue, the temp comming out of the vents is about 10-12 degrees in the middle of the day.

Everyone whos been in it comments that they are getting frost bite. Its not too expensive, and lasts for about as long as R134A.

[dsio]

Its also called R413A

http://www.dynatempintl.com/prod02.htm

[ian332isport]

Good suggestion, but the problem with these alternative refrigerants, is finding someone who will work with it.

They would need a dedicated A/C rig just for that refrigerant, and could not mix it with r134a.

Ian.

[dsio]

Old R12 equippment is used with it. In Australia its actually a very common system. It can be mixed safely with R12 and in some cases is even cut with R12.

I actually ordered the gas myself through my fridge guy along with a bit of R404 for my computer cooling system and just got the local guy to do the recharge, but they could get it as well, just at a higher price. Anyone who has done or is qualified to do R12 work can automatically work with this stuff, its 100% compatible.

[Danstable]

My 1991 Touring also has aircon that doesn't work. It will need re-gassing when the time comes, does this mean that it's not just a case of getting it re-gassed.....unless I can find someone that deals with this 'new' gas that has been mentioned?

Is this change due to eco-friendly related regulations?

[dsio]

Yer, some tree huggers complained about all the CFCs in R12, so it was scrapped Bit sad really, the old gas IMO still works far better as a refridgerant than R-134A (new gas).

There are alot of places that do the alternative gasses. I got onto it because my car had a sticker on one of the shock towers that said "Isceon 49" and the company that did it, so I called my mate who knows the stuff, and he helped me figure it all out. It was first done in 1997 to my 318i, so this replacement gas has been around at least 8 years.

I called around to compare prices and everyone I called, except BrisbaneBMW, could do the Isceon 49 recharge. Thats 4 different shops in Brisbane, Australia.

You can still order R12, its just technically illegal and stuff, but its like taping movies off TV, nobody cares lol.

[Ant]

RS24 and FX56 are also good drop in replacements for R12

R12 is nasty stuff dudes, thats mustard gas if you burn it, so no smokin if your evap coil is leaking !

for those who are now tempted to play with fridge gasses, Dont !!!

get it in your eye and your blind, end of story, same goes for the oil used as it literally melts the skin upon contact, and takes a long time to heal ( 7 years for my fridge burn to finaly scab, R22 compressor blowup)

lets all chill and leave this one to the professionals

[ian332isport]

Ant,

I'll be in touch shortly regarding my A/C install. Not long before it will need gassing

Ian.

[leed]

Whoa there goes my idea for this

ISCEON 49 R413a REFRIGERANT DROP IN REPLACEMENT FOR R12
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... eName=WD1V

But all is not lost, I spoke to isceon-refrigerants.co.uk today and found a garage in London (next nearest was Birmingham) that will do a R413a regas (bugger I've left the name at work).

Now I don't know what a regas normally costs, so was their Ԛ£152+VAT a bit steep?

PS Do you know halfords are doing R134a top up kits "no tools required" its says on the box.