Intro and tech post

[ppsjrcpp]

Hi Appreciate being brought into forum. I am a retired Army Officer from Vietnam and Cold War Era, spent 13 years in Europe doing counterintelligence work and buying and selling the non US spec cars. My most favorite was a 1968 BMW 2000C, a big glass roofline with really pretty lines. built off the 1800 wearing two webers in a 2.0 motor. It also had a "factory AC. In those days you could not bring them home, they were just establishing those rules well, impossible. ten yers later I brought home a 1966 Alfa GT Coupe. I currently own a MGB, a Alfa Spyder both 1980s. I have a BMW Z3 M, my favorite owned it for 10 years currently 78,545 Miles. It spent a year at my daughters in Phoenix on Bob Bondurant's Road Track School while her car was being restaged as a road car from being a NORRA 1000 racer.
I am having difficulty with the BMW. The AC switch on the dashboard has two switches the recirculating button lights up. The "AC button has a hole burnt through the center of the button and the light bulb is burnt up/broken. WILL THE AC SWITCH TURN THE COMPRESSOR ON WITH THE BULB BROKEN. Is there a secret to removing these switches from the panel below the round gauges, Lastly, where is the low port for filling the system. Found the high port. I'd really appreciate some input on this I live in South Texas, Thanks.

 

[t-tony]

If you cant find the low pressure port (though I’m sure someone will help here) you can re-gas via just the high pressure port.

Tony.

 

[Pond]

If you cant find the low pressure port (though I’m sure someone will help here) you can re-gas via just the high pressure port.

Tony.

The low pressure port should be between the engine and the side chassis, near the bulkhead.
Only liquid refrigerant should be added via the liquid line port (high side) and ONLY when the system is not running. It would need to be weighed into the system.
Only vapour (gas) refrigerant should be added via the suction line port (low side) when the system is running (as you won't get much in with the system off). It should also be weighed but can be done without if you know what you are doing.

Worth mentioning that it is illegal in the UK (and US I think) to handle any refrigerant unless qualified to do so. It is a controlled substance; releasing it to atmosphere is a criminal offence. You should not be able to buy refrigerant (in this case R134a) unless qualified. There are R134a 'substitutes' available on the likes of eBay, but these are NOT proper refrigerants and should not be mixed with the real thing. I would also advise not to use these 'fake' refrigerants as the system and oil contained within was not made to use these. They could cause serious damage.

 

[t-tony]

I was qualified to work with AC refrigerant at work, which, is why I know you can re-gas via the HP port. Some systems only have 1 connection point. The main danger from refrigerant gas is its very low boiling point. The temperature of human skin is enough to make this stuff boil causing nasty burns.

Tony.

 

[Pond]

The main danger from refrigerant gas is its very low boiling point.

According to the scientists the 'main' problem is that it is a very serious greenhouse gas which is why they are now controlled substances. Modern car refrigerants (R1234yf etc) have zero CO2 equivalence (that is how the 'badness' is measured now). But Z3s use R134a which has a very high CO2 equivalence so should not be used by amateurs.

But yes, you don't want liquid R134a (or any other) refrigerant anywhere near you, as it can cause very serious freeze burns. I have had a few in my 40 years in the industry; luckily I know what I'm doing so they have all been very minor.

 

[Mint]

Hi and to the forum from me, across the pond in Stafford, England. Hope you can get your AC working.

 

[Althulas]

The air con will still work with a burnt out bulb, hard to find a secondhand switch that’s not extortionately priced. Only decent one in Europe, try searching the part number in your country.

BMW Z3 Roadster Klimaanlage Schalter 61312491478 | eBay

Es handelt sich um zerlegte Teile von Autos und/oder Altbeständen. Aber sicherlich noch brauchbar. ☑️ Original BMW Teile. Wir verkaufen gebrauchter original BMW Teile. We are not responsible for this.

www.ebay.co.uk

There is a newer version that has the lighting built in so you can change the bulbs in it I have three of those to offload at some point.
You can lift up the gear stick gator and foam and slide your finger under the gap to gently pop the switch out.

 

[Shelly]