AC Evaporator Repair Costs

[JC_135i]

Has someone on the board had their AC evaporator replaced? My AC is blowing warm air now. I had the AC evacuated/recharged about 5 weeks ago and the dealer couldn't find a leak. The same symptoms returned yesterday. I am preparing for the worst but can't find any accurate estimates. I've seen prices anywhere from $1300 to $4000.

Thanks - Josh

[ssgtcarroll]

If you were a little closer I would take care of it for you. What makes you think it's the evaporator?

You need to find someone that knows what there doing. If you need some more guidance PM I will give you my cell to text me.

[metblkbmw]

I think the dealer should tell you what is wrong if they recharged your a/c.
Definitely get a better diagnosis.

[Matticus91]

I had mine replaced after an accident recently, part info from BMW shop repair invoice is below:

AIR CONDITIONER & HEATER:
Replace Condenser Part 64539229022 Qty. 1 Price Per Unit $598.08

Labor was included since the bumper was already off.

Note that this is BMW's cost for BMW, so it's high. You might be able to find aftermarket for cheaper. And you don't need to bring it to BMW to do this job.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

I had mine replaced after an accident recently, part info from BMW shop repair invoice is below:

AIR CONDITIONER & HEATER:
Replace Condenser Part 64539229022 Qty. 1 Price Per Unit $598.08

Labor was included since the bumper was already off.

Note that this is BMW's cost for BMW, so it's high. You might be able to find aftermarket for cheaper. And you don't need to bring it to BMW to do this job.

The Evaporator is located inside of the passenger side dash area.
The Condenser is located in front of the radiator.

Two completely different parts of the AC system.

[ssgtcarroll]

Please trouble shoot the system and not throw parts at it.

Again if you need help get in touch with me.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The Evaporator is located inside of the passenger side dash area.
The Condenser is located in front of the radiator.

Two completely different parts of the AC system.

OOPS!!! That's my bad I didn't read correctly.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by ssgtcarroll

Please trouble shoot the system and not throw parts at it.

Again if you need help get in touch with me.

I agree... you need to have a AC tech who knows what they are doing. Not all techs are the same... even when they work at a dealer.

IF your AC system is empty or low on freon... that freon had to go somewhere... and likely that part will have some oil residue where the leak is. Sometimes they don't leak that bad... and your tech will need an AC "sniffer" that beeps when you find the leak.

Go find an AC specialist or maybe take a drive over to ssgtcarroll


Dack

[JC_135i]

I just dropped the car off with a BMW Indy shop in the area. I never intended to throw parts at it. I was just looking for estimates if it is a worst case scenario.

Hopefully I will know more tomorrow afternoon.

[smrtypants44]

Mine was taking forever to get cold on one half of the dash (drivers) and it turned out to be the expansion valve

[JC_135i]

UPDATE: Got the car back from the shop yesterday. The schrader service valves were leaking. He wasn't sure why the dealer didn't notice it before. He said it was pretty severe. They couldn't find any dye coming from the drain, but we both noticed a hint of smell in the cabin. I was quoted $3100 for an evaporator change. The shop suggested I bring it back in a few weeks to check for leaks again.

The shop said it "could be the evaporator" but no evidence was found to be for sure that was the culprit. Right now the AC is ice cold. Maybe this recharge will get me through the summer and I can change the evap next spring, should that be the culprit.

[ssgtcarroll]

Glad to hear someone troubleshot it properly

[gixracer]

If you need an evaporator/HVAC unit I have a clean one available.

[spinnakerflying]

I just had my condenser (inside dash) replaced by a local indy shop (Raleigh). Cost around $1600 plus $200 to recharge refrigerant. I don't think they're the cheapest shop around, but they do good work from what I've heard.

[Gizmo135i]

The evaporator Is pretty much 9 times out of 10 the most common refrigerant leak on these... in fact Bmw put out a bulletin that basically says if you can't find a leak replace the evaporator lol (I dont know the sib off hand). An easy way to tell if it is leaking is to leave the car over night, and when you first start the car turn the blower on a low setting. If you get a brief whiff of refrigerant (it's a very distinct chemical smell), then you know you have a bad evaporator.

As far as cost to replace most dealers would likely charge somewhere between 12-15 hours, so probably between 2k-2.5k in just labor and not sure off hand what the evaporator costs, maybe ball park $500.

[Havocsteve]

Dashboard removal in labor will cost you a ton. Here in Canada, doing anything AC related translates to thousands. Luckily for me, mine was blowing hot air and I was thinking it was a leak, got a friend to charge the shit out of it for $60 and it's ice cold. Has been for about a year now.

[msudawginmd]

Having the same A/C issue with my 128i. freon smell and oily residue on the windshield. Not sure if I want to tackle this one myself. Any recommendations for an Indy in the Upper Chesapeake Bay Area (Maryland, Delaware, SE PA)

[brew99]

Originally Posted by Havocsteve

Dashboard removal in labor will cost you a ton. Here in Canada, doing anything AC related translates to thousands. Luckily for me, mine was blowing hot air and I was thinking it was a leak, got a friend to charge the shit out of it for $60 and it's ice cold. Has been for about a year now.

The quote I got was about $3k Cdn. That was 3 years ago. Been getting some sealant added and it seems to be holding ok.

[rennwerkes]

I'm having my evaporator done right now at the dealer. I lucked out with my extended warranty.
I've had evaporators fail on other cars so I know what it smells like. If I'm not mistaken, the smell is from the PAG oil in the ac system and not Freon.
Seems like my tech at BMW was like the poster's tech too. At first they couldn't find anything. So I had to tell them to put the blower on low and then see if they could smell the leak. Sure enough, they called back later to say they'll be changing out the evaporator. Geez, where do they find these techs???

[m_thompson]

Originally Posted by msudawginmd

Having the same A/C issue with my 128i. freon smell and oily residue on the windshield. Not sure if I want to tackle this one myself. Any recommendations for an Indy in the Upper Chesapeake Bay Area (Maryland, Delaware, SE PA)

I had the same problem with my 128i. I put dye in Freon and could not find a leak anywhere, so it must be a leaking evaporator. I also had the oily film on the inside of the windshield. I took it to the dealer to get the evaporator replaced, and they replaced a hose instead, for a lot less cost than I was prepared for. Has been working fine for more than a year now.

[skidawgz]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

I had the same problem with my 128i. I put dye in Freon and could not find a leak anywhere, so it must be a leaking evaporator. I also had the oily film on the inside of the windshield. I took it to the dealer to get the evaporator replaced, and they replaced a hose instead, for a lot less cost than I was prepared for. Has been working fine for more than a year now.

I am so happy I found this thread. I recharged my AC last year, and it is blowing hot air again. I just wiped my windshield down this week because I couldn't see. I hope I can properly troubleshoot now!

Thanks!

[Happy Jose]

You won't have any problems with the HVAC system if you understand its operation.

The automated climate control (ACC) uses both the A/C and the cooling systems together blending their functions/operations to regulate the cabin temperature of the vehicle. Say you set the digital control to 70 degrees. The ACC will keep the temperature at 70 year around regardless of the season of the year, Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter.

The point is the ACC should be operational 100% of the time driving the car. You won't experience any leaks or other problems until something wears out due to old age. The cooling system is always in use, so it doesn't have any additional strain placed on it. The A/C system will actually deteriorate faster from disuse than from being used. Also those seals and gaskets will last longer.

Interestingly, even in the winter, the ACC uses the A/C to keep the cabin temperature comfortable.

BTW, forget about using those quick charge cans sold at Walmart. They don't work. If you don't know how to use the pair of gauges that measure the high/low side of the A/C system, go to your independent. The service is cheap assuming there isn't a major repair needed like a new compressor.

Ciao,

Happy Jose always helping his BMW buddies