Not to be rude to the responders to this post
so far, but, 16valex has pointed out simply that if you are low on R134 and you have the correct tools, you can give your A/C system a minimal measurable shot to bring it back to a comfortable level for the time being. And over time find out if you have a leak. Very simple post and I understand what he is saying.
He knows what he is doing and I get it.
:thumbup:
Exactly. Being 17 years old refrigerant is going to leak. And yes you're right I have the equipment to evacuate and recharge but why not not try to inject some and take it from there.
I was surprised how quick the temp drop in just .2 LBS.
Not to be rude to the responders to this post
so far, but, 16valex has pointed out simply that if you are low on R134 and you have the correct tools, you can give your A/C system a minimal measurable shot to bring it back to a comfortable level for the time being. And over time find out if you have a leak. Very simple post and I understand what he is saying.
He knows what he is doing and I get it.
EU/ECE, Spanish environmental controls are much tighter than US. An air conditioning technician license is a BIG deal. 500 gram jobber bottles of refrigerant are illegal prohibited in ECE.
Interesting. I had a similar problem years ago. I added R134 but I added too much. Turns out that the BMW system requires a specific range of refrigerant by weight. Too much is as bad as too little. So I went to my AC guy and he drained and refilled it. He could not detect a leak. It worked fine for two seasons. I then had to go back again and have it redone. This cycle repeated itself again after two years. However, after my third recharge, I'm now on season four with no issues at all! Go figure... Apparently slow AC leaks can cure themselves. :dunno: Good luck!
Interesting. I had a similar problem years ago. I added R134 but I added too much. Turns out that the BMW system requires a specific range of refrigerant by weight. Too much is as bad as too little. So I went to my AC guy and he drained and refilled it. He could not detect a leak. It worked fine for two seasons. I then had to go back again and have it redone. This cycle repeated itself again after two years. However, after my third recharge, I'm now on season four with no issues at all! Go figure... Apparently slow AC leaks can cure themselves. :dunno: Good luck!
Any time I suspect a refrigerant leak, I add some UV dye to the system. Then the little black light comes out and I find the leak. I don't just keep dumping refrigerant into a system.
Yes, that is a tried and true way to find a/c leaks. I think you will find that the e39 a/c system
is very well designed system and from my readings over the years, it seems they are buttoned
up very well and do not experience leak failures too often.
Compressor failures pop up here and there, but for the most part it is a solid system.
The long standing members on this board are not willy nilly about the maintenance of their
cars and like I said earlier, 16Valex knows what he is doing and down the road he will address
his problem if it is deemed necessary.
It aint rocket science... On a similar note Ive installed a few mini split units at work or at least helped out (did most of the work)
Im going to install a mini split unit here at the house, my wife wasn't having it didnt have faith in me... so i went about trying to find someone who would pump it down and finish the gas part,
cant find anyone who will do that with out installing it them selfs and charging like 2,000$
so i just bought the 410 vacuum pump hooked my gauges up to it and boom... done
moral of the story... Its not rocket science.. Its basic refrigerant (and very simple by today's standards)
I'll add to this. When I bought my car it leaked refrigerant. It was leaking from the two valves. Replaced them and the shop filled it correctly (BMW did this) and haven't had an issue since. Check the valves for build-up and if found, it is likely where your leak is.
Yeah, mine were dirty, I had the car at the dealer and they tested them to be bad. They replaced them for about $25 each and it has worked great ever since. Yes, they did drain it and refill it to the correct amount after replacing the valves.
So I am having similar issues. My AC blows pretty cold from the drivers side and from the passenger, it's barely cool. I think I need a recharge. This doesn't sound like a DIY thing? Do I need to go to the dealer or can any shop handle it? Like a chain?
Joe-BMW. I am experiencing the same thing after the car has sat since November of last year. Did recharging the system solve the problem and was a leak found? My first thought was that a door on the passenger side of the system was stuck from sitting but your question changed my thinking.
Any shop should have this but you can call and ask? As they fill it up they can test for leaks also.
Takes about an hour to fill up the system, at least it did in my case as it was empty.
I know some people add refrigerant themselves, I would not do that as it is filled by weight and I cant see how much is missing.
no it takes about 5 min to fill the system.. maybe less.
its the pump down and hold that takes the time.. just like in any ac system.. you suck the system down or evacuate the system and then you have to hold the pressure for 30min+
the pump down takes about 5 min as well.. then another 30-40 min hold period to confirm its pumped down and holding pressure, then the recharge about another 5 min and theirs your almost hour
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