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  • A/C problems

    So my new MC's AC was working perfectly when I bought it (month ago), however when I used it today, the air coming out of the vents was the same with AC on and off.

    Ramdomly, when the AC was on today the engine was hunting quite a bit before settling down.

    Where do people suggest I start diagnosing the problem?

    Thanks
    Andrew


    2005, E46 M3 Carbon Black
    2007, X3 3.0d M Sport

  • #2
    A pessimist might say the car had a quick regas when you testdrove/bought it so that the aircon worked fine but has now leaked out due to a hole in the condensor radiator at the front. Its a common fault and in most cases a regas will last about a week. If a quick regas does fix the system then you at least know it's a leak somewhere (rather than a compressor problem etc) - usually from the radiator which is around £110 if you shop around (one on ebay around that price).

    The reason the engine may hunt is that because I think it loads the compressor more becasuse the system isn't working effectively due to lack of gas so leave it off until it's fixed.

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    • #3
      you can also add a dye with the re-gas which makes it easier to detect if there is a leak in the system

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      • #4
        Originally posted by dave p View Post
        you can also add a dye with the re-gas which makes it easier to detect if there is a leak in the system
        Yep tho you'll need to buy the goggles to go with it hehe. My aircon specialist used a sniffer though.

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        • #5


          Sounds like a leaking system. Mine wasn't working at all when I first saw the car - I made them regas before I bought it to make sure the compressor was working. Fortunately, it seems to be staying cold...
          '99 Imola S50 | Simota | Front strut | Braided clutch cable | Bilstein B8 and H&R springs

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          • #6
            Originally posted by c_w View Post
            A pessimist might say the car had a quick regas when you testdrove/bought it so that the aircon worked fine but has now leaked out due to a hole in the condensor radiator at the front. Its a common fault and in most cases a regas will last about a week.
            I got stitched up with exactly the above when I bought mine.

            Fault turned out to be cracked hoses.
            Out: 99 S50 Titan Silver V876 KKO
            In: 98 S50 Estoril.......

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            • #7
              If it makes you feel any better mine holds the gas fine, but I can't use the damn A/C because whenever i do it sends the temp. skywards in about 5 minutes! No idea why...

              At least we can count on the weather being generally shit and needing it only about twice a year anyway!

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Dr. N View Post
                If it makes you feel any better mine holds the gas fine, but I can't use the damn A/C because whenever i do it sends the temp. skywards in about 5 minutes! No idea why...

                At least we can count on the weather being generally shit and needing it only about twice a year anyway!
                Christ, if mine did that, it would be in the garage immediately until it was sorted out.
                Strongstrut CL front brace-Yellowstuff pads/Castrol SRF race brake fluid-Rogue top mounts/Rear support bushes-H&R ARBs-Whiteline droplinks-Bilstein Sport shockers-H&R Springs-Black Halo Angel Eye headlight units-Sachs lightweight flywheel/matching clutch-Supersprint exhaust/race catalysers-BBS RSGTs with Falkens-K&N High Flow Air Filter-Recaro Pole Position seats - Exdos mod - ACS flippers

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                • #9
                  I had my air con re gassed and a coloured dye was put in,,which makes it easier to find the problem..usualy a rubber hose has perished easily replaced..

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                  • #10
                    The air con on mine is nice and cold following the regas about 3 months ago. However, when sitting in traffic in Belgium in the summer, the temp would climb if I left the air con running permanently. No issue while I was driving, but the fan wasn't able to suck enough air in on tickover to cool the water adequately.

                    Jez
                    1998 Cosmos Black - Not quite standard ...

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Thanks for the responses guys. I agree with you all, the chances that the AC had a quick recharge before sale seems quite likely.

                      I'll give my local indi a call and see what they can do re the diagnosis.

                      I assume it's not a good idea to go putting gas and dye through an AC system yourself?


                      2005, E46 M3 Carbon Black
                      2007, X3 3.0d M Sport

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by wadh0070 View Post
                        The air con on mine is nice and cold following the regas about 3 months ago. However, when sitting in traffic in Belgium in the summer, the temp would climb if I left the air con running permanently. No issue while I was driving, but the fan wasn't able to suck enough air in on tickover to cool the water adequately.

                        Jez
                        Was the electric fan cutting in properly? Usually this is what cools the condensor when stationary/slow moving traffic - otherwise I'm sure it stops when you're driving due to better airflow.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by coupe fan View Post
                          Christ, if mine did that, it would be in the garage immediately until it was sorted out.
                          It's booked in end of this week for Insp. 2. Thought I'd get it all done together and take the hit in one go!

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by c_w View Post
                            Was the electric fan cutting in properly? Usually this is what cools the condensor when stationary/slow moving traffic - otherwise I'm sure it stops when you're driving due to better airflow.
                            I don't know, I'm afraid. I was on a motorway, and the weather has been so poor this year, it's not been an issue. I'll note it for next service - not likely to be a problem for a while now ...

                            Jez
                            1998 Cosmos Black - Not quite standard ...

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                            • #15
                              quick fit do a regas for £45 if it dosnt hold, no charge..they run a dignosis aswell.

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