A/C Leak

[rod.bearings]

Every time I park my car over the winter my a/c is gone. I heard if you don't use it for a long period of time it you have to recharge. Or is it because I have a leak?

[PA135i]

Could be either. My A/C last summer was not putting out a lot of cool air. Started to notice it in September so I ignored it until this spring.

My Indy shop recharged it and put in a dye to check a possible leak. If it's the compressor ... it is a BIG dollar item because they have to remove the dash!

My mechanic told me if it's a small leak it may hold for a while ... maybe 6 months or so. If that's the case I'll gladly pay the $100 once a year to have them recharge it rather then pay for the fix which is around $1200.

If I were you I would get it recharged and have them put a dye in it and see what happens. Good Luck.

(Forgot to mention that according to my Indy shop mechanics, the early year 1 series and other models had a problem with leaks. But was not corrected until the 2010 or 2011 model year. And since it is not a safety issue BMW will not do a recall)

[rod.bearings]

Originally Posted by PA135i

Could be either. My A/C last summer was not putting out a lot of cool air. Started to notice it in September so I ignored it until this spring.

My Indy shop recharged it and put in a dye to check a possible leak. If it's the compressor ... it is a BIG dollar item because they have to remove the dash!

My mechanic told me if it's a small leak it may hold for a while ... maybe 6 months or so. If that's the case I'll gladly pay the $100 once a year to have them recharge it rather then pay for the fix which is around $1200.

If I were you I would get it recharged and have them put a dye in it and see what happens. Good Luck.

(Forgot to mention that according to my Indy shop mechanics, the early year 1 series and other models had a problem with leaks. But was not corrected until the 2010 or 2011 model year. And since it is not a safety issue BMW will not do a recall)

Thanks for the info, I'll probably get someone who can dye it and see if there's a leak
I have a late 2009 =\ so I guess they might not have fixed it

Did yours have any leaks?

[m_thompson]

Originally Posted by PA135i

If it's the compressor ... it is a BIG dollar item because they have to remove the dash!

The compressor is attached the to the engine.
The evaporator is inside the dash.

[PA135i]

Originally Posted by krazi3azn

Thanks for the info, I'll probably get someone who can dye it and see if there's a leak
I have a late 2009 =\ so I guess they might not have fixed it

Did yours have any leaks?

I have not noticed any major leaks or would have seen them by now. I had them do the recharge on March 17.
That's why they put in the dye to see the location of any small leaks also. I'm getting front brakes in July. They will check it then unless I'm not getting any cold air anymore.

[PA135i]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

The compressor is attached the to the engine.
The evaporator is inside the dash.

Yeah, I knew I had that wrong. But the point is the evaporator is a $90 part.
The total cost to fix is about 12 hours labor. That would bring the fix north of $1000 easy.

[m_thompson]

I suspect that my evaporator has been leaking since the car was two years old. The dealer blamed the oily film on the inside of the windshield on off-gassing from the plastic interior parts. I think that it is the oil that is mixed with the FREON leaking from the evaporator.

The discounted price for the evaporator core for my 128i is $472.51 and they will probably want to replace the $137.66 expansion valve and $23.11 gaskets at the same time. Add the pump-down and refill and it will probably be a $2,000 job.

[rod.bearings]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

I suspect that my evaporator has been leaking since the car was two years old. The dealer blamed the oily film on the inside of the windshield on off-gassing from the plastic interior parts. I think that it is the oil that is mixed with the FREON leaking from the evaporator.

The discounted price for the evaporator core for my 128i is $472.51 and they will probably want to replace the $137.66 expansion valve and $23.11 gaskets at the same time. Add the pump-down and refill and it will probably be a $2,000 job.

For that much, I wouldnt mind recharging it every year

[HIPSI]

I have my daughters 09 128 vert in my indy's shop now for among other things, the AC evaporator replace @ 52k miles... None too happy, but she's going to keep it for a few more years while away at school and I don't want to risk her being without AC in the summer inferno that is Texas

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

I suspect that my evaporator has been leaking since the car was two years old. The dealer blamed the oily film on the inside of the windshield on off-gassing from the plastic interior parts. I think that it is the oil that is mixed with the FREON leaking from the evaporator.

The discounted price for the evaporator core for my 128i is $472.51 and they will probably want to replace the $137.66 expansion valve and $23.11 gaskets at the same time. Add the pump-down and refill and it will probably be a $2,000 job.

You should also replace the reciever/drier too. Anytime the AC system has been leaking... you should replace the drier. Its not that expensive either(for most cars).




OP... you might want to recharge your AC system with some of the newer DIY recharge kits. They have an additive in the freon which can seal small pin-hole leaks in the AC system(like in the evap).

Good Luck,
Dackel

[quick99si]

Originally Posted by krazi3azn

For that much, I wouldnt mind recharging it every year

The freon used on this generation of vehicles has been linked to an increased risk of testicular cancer. Might want to reconsider.

[rod.bearings]

UPDATE - Found out it was a common issue of charge pipe rubbing against the A/C line. There was a hole in my line that caused the leak. BMW revised the line so that it doesn't touch it anymore.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=576022