09 135i A/C not working

[Helltime]

I just recently purchased a 2009 135i with 69k miles on it. I noticed the A/C has stopped working and I brought it to the attention of the dealer. They seem to think it is low on Freon and needs recharged. Here is what they are telling me on warrantying the problem:
"The coverage on this will be determined by two variables. First thing that will need to happen is we will need to perform and evac/recharge of the ac system and add an ultraviolet dye. This will allow us to see if there is a leak in the ac system or if it is just low on Freon. If a) there is a leak, then it should be covered, or if b) it is just low, then it is not covered and will cost about $200 to the client for the recharge"

Should I just throw a can of Freon in it myself or risk a $200 bill at the dealer? I wouldn't think an A/C system should "use" Freon so I would think there is a leak somewhere, but I am not very familiar with how an A/C system works.
What would you do if it was your car?

[SayHack]

99% sure there is a leak somewhere (may not be a big one, but pretty sure there is a leak)....I have had cars for over 8 years without ever filling up a single drop of freon and until this day it still blows nice and cold in the hot Cali summer days. if you can, try to have them back up their work for 6 month or something, because a small leak won't be detected easily but 3-4 months down the line it will depressurize again, so you will be back to square one.

[1Fasst1]

Originally Posted by Helltime

I just recently purchased a 2009 135i with 69k miles on it. I noticed the A/C has stopped working and I brought it to the attention of the dealer. They seem to think it is low on Freon and needs recharged. Here is what they are telling me on warrantying the problem:
"The coverage on this will be determined by two variables. First thing that will need to happen is we will need to perform and evac/recharge of the ac system and add an ultraviolet dye. This will allow us to see if there is a leak in the ac system or if it is just low on Freon. If a) there is a leak, then it should be covered, or if b) it is just low, then it is not covered and will cost about $200 to the client for the recharge"

Should I just throw a can of Freon in it myself or risk a $200 bill at the dealer? I wouldn't think an A/C system should "use" Freon so I would think there is a leak somewhere, but I am not very familiar with how an A/C system works.
What would you do if it was your car?

First, cars for some years now use R 134a refrigerant. After four years I had the same problem as you described. The car was low on refrigerant, but the dealer couldn't find a leak. They finally done the Evac/recharge with dye added so if it done it again they could find the source of the leak. So far, one year later still no problems. I think at first you should try to add the 134 yourself. You can get kits to do this at Walmart or any auto store for about $ 30. If it works fine. If a short time later it stops working you have a leak that needs to be repaired. From what I've read some of the parts are quite expensive. Also make sure that the compressor is engaging when you turn the air on. Good luck

[Helltime]

This is new enough I think I would rather have it done right and have a shop do it. I checked with a friend of mine who works at a shop and he said it is typically a $160 service, I am going to have the bmw dealer do this, so if there is a leak it or something worse it should be covered, if not its only about $40 more than somewhere else to do it and either way it is done right.

[Silenus]

Very likely that your car needs an evaporator. Good thing you have that warranty.

[justanothrone]

Do you have an extended warranty to cover a new evap?

[Helltime]

I actually don't have any warranty, this is one of those 3 month/1k miles powertrain thing from the dealer, and I talked them into checking this out seeing how I didn't even have the car a week when I noticed this issue. It goes in Tuesday to be checked out. If it is leaking its covered, if it is not noticed to be leaking it will cost me $200 for a recharge and I am going to see how long they cover their work for (incase next spring it is again not working).

[Helltime]

Update, they did not find a leak, so I got charged for evac and recharge, about $183. But on the bright side...my a/c now works.

[Helltime]

Another update, the a/c has since quit again. So I am pushing to have them cover it as I had this problem under their warranty and I am out of warranty now. Also if it leaked out in that short amount of time, that's a massive leak, so they should have found it originally and I should not have been charged, I am going to push to be reimbursed as well.
Appointment for a loaner car set for Thursday evening, should found out what the problem is by Friday afternoon.

[whitebimmer09]

Did you ever get this covered? I had an indy shop recharge my a/c it was a fraction off. I want to bring it up to my SA but I don't think they will like that I brought it to an outside place.

[blackpixi7]

Hope you get it resolved under warranty. See my thread.

[Helltime]

Originally Posted by whitebimmer09

Did you ever get this covered? I had an indy shop recharge my a/c it was a fraction off. I want to bring it up to my SA but I don't think they will like that I brought it to an outside place.

It goes in tomorrow and they will get to it Friday while I am at work.

Originally Posted by blackpixi7

Hope you get it resolved under warranty. See my thread.

I am going to try, this issue was first brought to their attention when it was under warranty, I have lots of emails saved about this from them and myself as proof (shows time, what they said what I said ect ect). They said there was no leak that time so charged me for a recharge, just a couple short months later it is no working again...yeah there is a leak. So they owe me that $200 (slightly under that) and a proper repair this time! I was not able to open your link.
Edit: went to your profile and looked at your threads started, I am guessing it is the "Great..just great" thread? Doing this yourself looks like a HUGE pain in the ass...I have taken the dash out of 4 cars myself ( mk2 GTI, 85 mustang GT, p38 RR, 1990 240sx) and reassembled, but I don't think I would attempt it one of these...

[Helltime]

Ok, update. I dropped my car off last night and they gave me a 2014 328i xdrive for a rental, they called me today and said they found the leak, the evaporator is shot (which is what I told them from the very beginning...) they ordered the part and said it would be here Tuesday and my car would be fixed my Wednesday evening. They said I could keep the rental until then, but I asked to get my car back for the weekend (intercooler just showed up, I want it installed before drag racing next weekend ) and I hated the rental (was driving my e30 instead). They are coving this 100%, no cost to me. So far they have treated me pretty well.

[awns729]

Good for you - I hear that's an expensive job.

[Helltime]

Just got home from the bmw dealer, job is done a/c works great