e30 cab air con removal

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lamby
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Mon Nov 12, 2012 12:15 pm

my 87 320 cab is getting crushed,taking things off but just wondered if theres any point in removing the a/c money wise?
Topblag
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Mon Nov 12, 2012 12:46 pm

oh yes, a full AC system is worth a full hundred pounds.
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lamby
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Mon Nov 12, 2012 1:42 pm

does the wiring unplug? and can i demolish the dash too aid removal as i don,t want to faff too much.
suedenim
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Mon Nov 12, 2012 3:33 pm

I wouldn't personally based on experience. It's a miserable job to remove complete and intact and stuff like the compressor are only any use if they run on R134a(?) gas, probably doesn't. If you have the time, patience and the ability to sit on the parts long enough that someone might be mad enough to retro fit, your biggest benefit would be knowing how the system works, is installed and how it could be repaired in the future. Removing the heater box is probably one of the nicer parts of it, and no smashing up the dash isn't the best route, if you're thinking that way the job probably isn't for you. Keep the switches and any thing else that's easy to remove.
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bss325i
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Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:32 pm

suedenim wrote:I wouldn't personally based on experience. It's a miserable job to remove complete and intact and stuff like the compressor are only any use if they run on R134a(?) gas, probably doesn't. If you have the time, patience and the ability to sit on the parts long enough that someone might be mad enough to retro fit, your biggest benefit would be knowing how the system works, is installed and how it could be repaired in the future. Removing the heater box is probably one of the nicer parts of it, and no smashing up the dash isn't the best route, if you're thinking that way the job probably isn't for you. Keep the switches and any thing else that's easy to remove.
Having removed several complete air con set ups and also retro fitting several i would say the heater box is the most awkward part.

Some of the compressors that have on R12 can also be run on R134a, infact the compressor in my very own E30 was originally an R12 one.

A handful of people on here have retro fitted air con and second hand kits start at about £200 for one with rough pipes and condenser to over £400 for one already converted to R134a and in a working condition before removal.

If the temperature control knob is electronic and not cable operated then this makes up part of the rare "regulated temperature control" system or climate control.
This will also increase the value of any system being sold.

What most people fail to realise is that you CAN NOT have working air con retrofitted and blowing cold using you average secondhand kit and a few hours work.

But to answer the OP's question, yes i would remove it if fragging a car.
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Topblag
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Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:39 pm

Have you done the conversion from old gas setup to the recommended replacement kit Barry ? Any idea how much the kit costs ?

My Hartge and IX both have aircon and I want to have them converted to a legal setup. They both need re-gassed anyway.
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
suedenim
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Mon Nov 12, 2012 10:47 pm

Topblag wrote:Have you done the conversion from old gas setup to the recommended replacement kit Barry ? Any idea how much the kit costs ?

My Hartge and IX both have aircon and I want to have them converted to a legal setup. They both need re-gassed anyway.
Kits are shown on realoem iirc.

Whatever is the easier and harder part of pulling the kit complete, I still wouldn't advise someone who asks whether they should liberate it by smashing it out to do it.
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1989 318i 2 Door Sterling Silber

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lamby
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Tue Nov 13, 2012 12:47 pm

kit is shown on the wiki so looks straight forward enough.
hammertime
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