Removing heater box - a/c evac?

[325er]

Hey all.


I'm in the process of an interior conversion at the moment, and while I have all the dash stuff apart I'm replacing the heater box and changing my car from analog to digital heater controls. I havnt seen many threads about this being done, probably just because of how in depth the project is. I got a 96+ heater box with harness and everything, and a 96+ control unit so I'm hoping everything goes well.

The only problem I have is this - the car, as it sits right now is not mobile and I need to pull the heater box out. This involves disconnecting the A/C condenser which means the system needs to be evacuated.

How do I go about doing this? I can't take it somewhere. Can the heater box be removed without removing the AC lines? Are there any mobile AC evac. companies?

Or should I just (gasp) discharge it into the air?


HELP!

Thanks

[94black325i]

Check the threads on here. This issue has been explored. I too wanted to change my analog AC to the cool digitial one, until I read the thread and it looks like a MAJOR science project...

as far as the mobile evacuating, i doubt it. i haven't heard anything like that. might as well evacuate it in the air...its illegal so dont let anyone see you do it.

[325er]

Check the threads on here. This issue has been explored. I too wanted to change my analog AC to the cool digitial one, until I read the thread and it looks like a MAJOR science project...

as far as the mobile evacuating, i doubt it. i haven't heard anything like that. might as well evacuate it in the air...its illegal so dont let anyone see you do it.


Yeah, I just let it go into the air. I feel really bad about it, but oh well. I tried, and they should have mobile units. so yeah.

[94black325i]

so did it work? have you got the electronic climate contol in? how big of a pain in the ass was it?

[325er]

It wasn't too bad a job considering the interior was already disassembled, but if it hadn't been, then it would have been HUGE.

If you have a heater core from a 96+ with harness, 96+ center vent and 96+ digital climate computer then it's 100% plug and play - no rewiring or any of that other stupid crap that people talk about. If you have those three things, it fits. You don't even need to drain the coolant to swap it.

I paid-
Heater box with harness - $100
Digital climate control computer - $60
96+ center vent - $30

TOTAL: $190 out the door.

[325er]

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[94black325i]

nice work man! You've got a project....

I'd love to rebuild an e36 from scratch...no time right now tho.
so let me guess...this isn't your primary car? :rofl:

I actually fixed my ac this weekend. :) I took it to some doosh bag for a diagnostic and he said my condenser was leaking. he then wanted $1200 to replace it, and replace my receiver dryer and recharge. uh...no sorry dude. gimme my car.

so ebay + online forum DIY:

new condesor: $130
new drier: $30
new o-rings: $10
r134a coolant + oil & stop leak: $30
manifold guages: $50
vaccum pump: $100
bottle of capn morgans & coke: $35

@ $350 + 6 hours

I'll prob sell the pump and gauges on ebay, or maybe keep em. My compressor will probably poop out in a few hours.

good luck with your rebuild!