hey guys ... i just posted in the E36 forum.. I think I may need some help fixing up my A/C system in my E36.
Looking for someone in the area that would help me while they drink beers (provided by me) and i do the work. I just dont want to go into this blind.

Also.. i dont have a vacuum pump for an A/C system... wondering if anyone out there has one i could borrow.

thanks for any help

here's my post
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1047978

When was the last time that your A/C system worked. I long does it take for the freon to leak out, hours, weeks, or longer.

According to your post you're not cetain where the leak is. It really would take it to a shop to have them look at the system. The equipment they have and quickly and easily source the problem. Then you can choose to have them replace the faulty part(s) or I'll help you.

I got the car in March, bought it off a friend, he got it like a year before that and said that the A/C never worked for him. Sooo... who knows when the last time it worked was.

I've never charged it up, never even attempted. I've been going the whole summer with the windows down... and when it rains and is still hot, i look like this :-(((( multiple frown faces cause it SUCKS!

I"m not even really sure there is a leak. I'm only assuming there is one because of the fact that it's empty.

I called a local shop that I normally bring my cars to, they're super friendly, very trustworthy, and always try to tackle a problem to minimize cost to the consumer. Very good guys. They said they could check it out for me, vacuum it, check if it holds a vacuum and then charge it up with some dye to find the leak. But they said just to get started it would be about $100

That's why i wanted throw a charge on it myself first, see if there were any obvious leaks to fix before i brought it to them. That would be a difference of 6.99 for a can of R134a to find any major leaks.. then paying them $100 to check for other leaks, and if they dont find any other ones, charge it up.

Just trying to minimize my cost... i'm not a rich BMW owner by any means.

I actually work in Marlborough, i'm in a building over near lake williams. Went to CAP today in marlborough to get a can of 134a and that's where i found out they didn't have a can with Pag46 in it.. only Ester and Pag100 oil, so i think autozone is the next stop for a can with the right oil in it.

I work at Autozone part time and I'm willing to drop a charge in for you if you want. I have the gauge and everything, if you want to put some dye in we can just buy the kit (dye and the glasses). It may be the compressor or o-rings, etc. I have an E36 A/Ccompressor with 41k if you need it or try car-part.com

Pm'ing you.. thanks!