R12 aircon recharge in the UK

[whiskychaser]

Have been to 3 aircon outfits. They all say mine is the old system and needs major surgery to be able to run on R134a. Looking at more money than the car is worth! Have seen 'conversion' kits which seem to consist of a couple of aerosols and a gauge but am sceptical. My understanding is that mixing R12/R134a is a big no-no. Anyone know where I can get a top-up?

[Ferret]

Have been to 3 aircon outfits. They all say mine is the old system and needs major surgery to be able to run on R134a. Looking at more money than the car is worth! Have seen 'conversion' kits which seem to consist of a couple of aerosols and a gauge but am sceptical. My understanding is that mixing R12/R134a is a big no-no. Anyone know where I can get a top-up?

Certain systems can be straight converted to R134a without much of a fuss, you just need a new receiver/dryer unit...

There's a conversion guide on bmwe34.net that gives the compressor numbers of models that will straight convert :D

[whiskychaser]

Certain systems can be straight converted to R134a without much of a fuss, you just need a new receiver/dryer unit...

There's a conversion guide on bmwe34.net that gives the compressor numbers of models that will straight convert :D
Nice one! Will have a look. :)

[winfred]

i've yet to have a problem converting any bmw, drain the compressor oil and refill with a r134 compatable oil (i like ester over pag, pag may react with the copper in the old systems) 5-6 ounces will do, change the drier, i generally change the expansion valve too and blow the old oil from the system with compressed air, e34s call for 3.4# of r134 vs 4.2# of r12

[whiskychaser]

i've yet to have a problem converting any bmw, drain the compressor oil and refill with a r134 compatable oil (i like ester over pag, pag may react with the copper in the old systems) 5-6 ounces will do, change the drier, i generally change the expansion valve too and blow the old oil from the system with compressed air, e34s call for 3.4# of r134 vs 4.2# of r12
That sounds pretty encouraging! :) Is polyolester (poe) oil what I should be looking for? Will look up where the expansion valve is, but could you pls clarify what unit the # is as in 3.4#? Imagine I need some sort of adapters for the fill valves too.

[Rus]

# means lb (pound) HTH

[whiskychaser]

# means lb (pound) HTH
I thought # was used for number in the US, as in #1 cylinder. Hence my confusion. Thanks for clearing that up:)

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

If you are anywhere near south, we have a guy with a green machine that empties the system and will re-charge with R12 as it is still legal and available for the marine industry, try a good marine shop.

[whiskychaser]

If you are anywhere near south, we have a guy with a green machine that empties the system and will re-charge with R12 as it is still legal and available for the marine industry, try a good marine shop.
About 300 miles from the south coast. Between L/pool and Hull. Search under marine shops? Its about 45 quid at kwikfit to have the system pressure tested and charged if you are on 134a. But I'm looking at a new drying plus oil plus valves etc. If I can get some r12 for a couple of quid I'm a happy bunny. Pretty sure my fridge runs on it :)

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

Its not worth the bother if the system is getting old. Buy a dryer from Euro C.P). and get a drain and re-charge,seals tend to cope for a fair time, mine did for two years on another car.If you want Air-con pay up!

[doogie]

(Mine is an E32 7 but same deal) - I got the "conversion kit" from BMW a few months ago which was basically a new dryer, pressure switch and converters for the valves, and a charge sticker to notify anyone that it has been converted.

It was somewhere in the region of £100-£200, pretty sure more the £100 end.

I needed a new condenser and aux fan at the time.... have you had the system leak tested to make sure your condenser is OK? There's no point in changing the bits, paying for a gas up, then it all squirting straight back out :)

[whiskychaser]

(Mine is an E32 7 but same deal) - I got the "conversion kit" from BMW a few months ago which was basically a new dryer, pressure switch and converters for the valves, and a charge sticker to notify anyone that it has been converted.

It was somewhere in the region of £100-£200, pretty sure more the £100 end.

I needed a new condenser and aux fan at the time.... have you had the system leak tested to make sure your condenser is OK? There's no point in changing the bits, paying for a gas up, then it all squirting straight back out :)
It was functioning fine until I changed the head gasket recently- I hit one of the valves with a corner of the head. No damage to the valve. Just degassed it for a sec or two. But I wasnt about to drop the head! If you tried to do it again you'd never do it in a million years. Just for info, local BMW quoted me £98 plus vat for the kit but that doesnt include hoses or of course re-gas