I've had a quote to change my refrigerant from R-12 to R134a, including necessary oil change, as well as a standard re-charge.
?55 + Vat (17.5% UK tax duty ) is the normal price for a re-gas, but as the system is still on R12 it is illegal to add it. At least I know that once the refrigerant is changed over what a top up charge will be.
?150 + Vat to do a system check, change the filter-dryer & change from R12 to R134a.
The prices don't seem to steep to me, what do you think?
A local air-con guy has recommended an additive to the system to allow the existing oil to work with R134, and then fit R134 fittings and charge.
The engineer in me says this could be suspect but I've always found refridgerant systems a dark art.
A normal charge is 50 GBP, and he wants another 70 GBP on top for the conversion - he doesn't seem like a shyster as he does say it will probably need a re-charge every two years, maybe even every year, but 50 GBP a year for chilly air seems a fair price for a 20 year old system - does anyone know of this additive or shall I press him for more details.
Any views / opinions / warnings gratefully received.
Had mine done two weeks ago and it seems to work a treat.
Basics are:
1.Remove any remaining gas using R12 rig.
2.Remove the schrader valves inside original charging valves.
3.Fit new adaptors to original charging valves.
(the lower one is very close to the washer bottle)
4.Re-charge with R134 and, using the vacuum on the rig,suck in
a quantity of R12 compatible oil.
This cost me ?100 in a garage in Salisbury and they told me
they had converted a lot of R12 systems.
Had my old E30 changed over, think it was about AUS$400, a local $tealer wanted to replace the compressor to do it (but thats how they are, sell as many parts as possible).
Think my 6er was done before I bought it thankfully :)
Summer in Aus in a black car without air-con isn't an option
I thought turning the air con on was when you opened up the windows. Don't have a/c on my car. I just open all available windows and press the loud pedal as far as is safely possible.
Just added Envirosafe to my 88 CSi. Works great in the back approx 60 f (today was 89 f and humid). In the front I must have a problem, I could only get 70 f.
I am new to this car and this was my first "repair".
Do a google for Envirosafe, and check ebay. Great deal, a mate of mine has already added it to a Chevvy pick up and a Taurus.
Anyone have any ideas why I only get 70 f up front?
Just added Envirosafe to my 88 CSi. Works great in the back approx 60 f (today was 89 f and humid). In the front I must have a problem, I could only get 70 f.
I am new to this car and this was my first "repair".
Do a google for Envirosafe, and check ebay. Great deal, a mate of mine has already added it to a Chevvy pick up and a Taurus.
Anyone have any ideas why I only get 70 f up front?
Welcome 'Bloke'!!
What exactly is envirosafe?
Can only guess that maybe you've got some air leaks up front or something similar, although is there not a separate evaporator for the rear system? If there is, then the one at the front is probably gunked up with 'crap' & needs cleaning. Our generation of cars didn't have pollen filters to keep evaporators in a cleaner condition.
I wrote - a year ago about changing the original UK refridgerant....
A local air-con guy has recommended an additive to the system to allow the existing oil to work with R134, and then fit R134 fittings and charge.
The engineer in me says this could be suspect but I've always found refridgerant systems a dark art.
A normal charge is 50 GBP, and he wants another 70 GBP on top for the conversion - he doesn't seem like a shyster as he does say it will probably need a re-charge every two years, maybe even every year, but 50 GBP a year for chilly air seems a fair price for a 20 year old system - does anyone know of this additive or shall I press him for more details.
Any views / opinions / warnings gratefully received.
Ron wrote
Had mine done two weeks ago and it seems to work a treat.
Basics are:
1.Remove any remaining gas using R12 rig.
2.Remove the schrader valves inside original charging valves.
3.Fit new adaptors to original charging valves.
(the lower one is very close to the washer bottle)
4.Re-charge with R134 and, using the vacuum on the rig,suck in
a quantity of R12 compatible oil.
This cost me ?100 in a garage in Salisbury and they told me
they had converted a lot of R12 systems.
And now, a year later, I've just had it done - nice chilly air - I'm very pleased and the bloke at the garage was very impressed/shocked to find a 21 year old semi-neglected air-con system perk right back into life
I did my conversion a month ago, because I had to change air-con cooler. In local air-con shop they fill it with RS24 which is spare for R12 and it is working correctly.
I paid 50? total.
M6 - Marwin
628CSi Turbo - Britney
BMW-Faszination aus Technik und Design
) is the normal price for a re-gas, but as the system is still on R12 it is illegal to add it. At least I know that once the refrigerant is changed over what a top up charge will be.
about changing the original UK refridgerant....
and the bloke at the garage was very impressed/shocked to find a 21 year old semi-neglected air-con system perk right back into life 
What's that 
