Posted by Jeff on May 17, 2000 at 15:23:50: via: or 206.55.55.198
Year: 87
Make: BMW
Model: 325
High Side: 245
Low Side: 38
Refrigerant: R-12
Outside Temp: 78 aprox
I cannot find the factory specs for my car. A sticker says it holds 2.5lbs. The pressure reading seem to be top secret. The low pressure switch would not let the compressor engage a few weeks ago. I added approx 18oz of R-12(the 12oz cans can also have leaks in them used my two lightest ones first), did not see a leak, four days later I had to add another 12oz can because it was not as cold. I think I found the leak both schrader valves were slightly loose the detector went off with the caps removed(maybe 1/16 of a turn, now the detector does not go off and I added two new caps). I could not find any other signs of leaks using a GE H-10 and the freon has red dye in it. The sight glass still seems cloudy or milky colored, it will cool to 38F in the mornings, but seems to drop only 15 degree or so when it is hot. I have ordered a new clutch fan as the old one is slipping a lot, maybe it is the reason for only the 15 degree drop. In the past the car's AC would hurt your hand it would get so cold. My questions are :
1. What are the proper gauge readings for a correctly charged system?
2. What is the conversion formula for Bars to lbs, all the factory spes are in Bar.
3. Could the loose schrader valves be the leak, it seems like a lot of freon in four days. I have spend 2 hours looking for other leaks, None found. My cans of R-12 has red dye added to it, never a sign of dye. It has been two weeks since I added the freon.
Thanks