Summer is here at last. If you’ve driven to any shows in your beloved 2002, the chances are high that you have done so amid shouted conversations due to having the windows open wide, and quite possibly severely burned thighs for those foolish enough to sit on a vinyl seat while wearing shorts.
We all love the nostalgia of our classic BMWs, but there is no denying that some modern creature comforts are hard to live without. When the mercury hits 30, air conditioning is a case in point.
AC in a BMW 2002?
Back in the early 70s, BMW did not offer aircon as a factory option. However, there were three aftermarket systems that were installed by dealers, mostly in the US market. These were manufactured by Behr, Frigiking, and Clardy. The former is the most popular, probably because it has more of an authentic “factory” look. That’s hardly surprising, as Behr supplied the factory AC for the contemporary BMW E3 and E9 models. The Frigiking and Clardy systems have more of an aftermarket look.
The three systems also use different evaporator systems and compressors. The Behr system is all contained within a plastic case. That sounds fine until you try to service or repair anything, whereupon you have to completely dismantle it. With the other systems, you can access and replace valves and motors more easily.
Rejuvenating 50 year old AC
If you are lucky enough to come across either a car with one of the aftermarket systems fitted or an evaporator assembly and control system from a scrapped car, that is by far the quickest, cheapest and easiest route to cool travel in a 2002. But make no mistake, an old system that has not been properly maintained and regularly serviced will be leaky, it will smell bad and it will have little if any cooling effect. In other words, it will need complete renovation before you can use it.
Legendary car writer Rob Siegal’s book Just Needs a Recharge is essential reading, as he discusses resurrecting AC in classic cars and uses his own BMW 2002 as one of the case studies. The title is a joke, and if you’ve an old and non-functioning car AC system, a recharge is the very last step. Rob explains that first, you will need to essentially rip everything out and throw most of it away apart from the evaporator itself and the control unit.
The original compressor can be replaced with a more modern rotary-style unit, which will bolt straight on, and you will want the biggest and best fan that you can squeeze in there. Naturally, all the hoses will need to be replaced, and the evaporator is likely to be clogged up with decades of gook, so flush it out thoroughly.
Changing the refrigerant
Back in the 1970s, AC systems used a refrigerant called R12. This is one of the most harmful ozone-depleting substances, and so its sale and use was banned in the UK in 2000.
Yes, there are still volumes of it around, but all systems leak sooner or later, so switching to its more environmentally sound replacement, R134a is the responsible thing to do. The truth is, however, R134a does not perform as effectively as R12, which is why it is so important to flush the system and upgrade the fan and compressor in order to have a system that effectively cools the car.
Other after-market alternatives
If you want to fit a 2024 AC system to your 50 year old classic BMW, that is also an option. Some US owners have fitted a system from ICE Auto Air, which looks very similar to the old Clardy set-up mentioned earlier, so there is a degree of period authenticity, at least at a glance. Whether they ship to the UK is another matter, but most things are possible at a price.
Travel in comfort
Originality is important in any classic, but a true enthusiast would argue that usability is even more of a concern. The joy of owning a BMW 2002 is driving it. If you’ve ever stepped out on a summer’s day and thought twice about taking your pride and joy out for a drive because it’s like a greenhouse in there, then retrofitting an air conditioning system has to be worth a thought.