AC blowing warmish air again.

foghat · 04-25-2013, 05:52 PM

Hey all,

My AC was blowing warm air last summer. Had it recharged and all was well.

Now again it is blowing warmish air - not as warm as last summer, but certainly too warm for AC. No doubt I have a leak. Reading here, seems like the evaporators leaking is fairly common.

When I did have it recharged last summer, there was apparently dye put in as well to help with spotting leaks.

Can anyone tell me where the evaporator is located? Can it be seen without taking anything apart?

Any other places in the AC system that is known for leaking?

Thanks.

e82IS · 04-26-2013, 08:46 AM

the evaporator is located under the passenger side dash you have to take a lot apart to see it. you can check any where in the engine bay where the a/c line are. the dye they normally put in the system is uv dye so you need a special light to see it. hope that helps

foghat · 04-26-2013, 08:55 AM

^ that helps for sure. thx a lot.

mawtu · 04-26-2013, 09:55 AM

I had mine replaced under warranty last year. I searched on youtube for a video of what was involved. It's a big job. The whole dash has to be removed and from what I recall they go all the way down to the fire wall. My S.A. told me that he would put his best guy on it(The one that didn't have a bunch of screws left after it was put back together). I expected to have all kinds of issues and squeeking. To date I have not had any issues...Keeping my fingers crossed.

zamboni · 04-26-2013, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mawtu

I had mine replaced under warranty last year. I searched on youtube for a video of what was involved. It's a big job. The whole dash has to be removed and from what I recall they go all the way down to the fire wall. My S.A. told me that he would put his best guy on it(The one that didn't have a bunch of screws left after it was put back together). I expected to have all kinds of issues and squeeking. To date I have not had any issues...Keeping my fingers crossed.

Got mine replaced last year and occasion I could hear squeaking coming out of front dash.

foghat · 04-26-2013, 11:19 AM

^ <sigh>. I have read a fair bit about squeaky dashes after replacement.

I will see how deficient it is once the weather gets a little warmer. It is adequate for now. Given I am out of warranty and don't even know for sure if it is the evaporator, I may just go the 'get it charged each spring' route - as long as it doesn't start leaking faster.

04-25-2013, 05:52 PM	#1
foghat Captain 59 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Great White North iTrader: (1)	AC blowing warmish air again. Hey all, My AC was blowing warm air last summer. Had it recharged and all was well. Now again it is blowing warmish air - not as warm as last summer, but certainly too warm for AC. No doubt I have a leak. Reading here, seems like the evaporators leaking is fairly common. When I did have it recharged last summer, there was apparently dye put in as well to help with spotting leaks. Can anyone tell me where the evaporator is located? Can it be seen without taking anything apart? Any other places in the AC system that is known for leaking? Thanks.
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04-26-2013, 08:46 AM	#2
e82IS Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 135is Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: anaheim iTrader: (0)	the evaporator is located under the passenger side dash you have to take a lot apart to see it. you can check any where in the engine bay where the a/c line are. the dye they normally put in the system is uv dye so you need a special light to see it. hope that helps
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04-26-2013, 08:55 AM	#3
foghat Captain 59 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Great White North iTrader: (1)	^ that helps for sure. thx a lot.
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04-26-2013, 09:55 AM	#4
mawtu Old Member 1 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2011 Alpine White 135i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: McKinney,TX iTrader: (0)	I had mine replaced under warranty last year. I searched on youtube for a video of what was involved. It's a big job. The whole dash has to be removed and from what I recall they go all the way down to the fire wall. My S.A. told me that he would put his best guy on it(The one that didn't have a bunch of screws left after it was put back together). I expected to have all kinds of issues and squeeking. To date I have not had any issues...Keeping my fingers crossed.
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04-26-2013, 11:19 AM	#6
foghat Captain 59 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Great White North iTrader: (1)	^ <sigh>. I have read a fair bit about squeaky dashes after replacement. I will see how deficient it is once the weather gets a little warmer. It is adequate for now. Given I am out of warranty and don't even know for sure if it is the evaporator, I may just go the 'get it charged each spring' route - as long as it doesn't start leaking faster.
	Appreciate 0 Quote