BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-09-2018, 11:52 PM   #1
128ibro
Private First Class
128ibro's Avatar
49
Rep
128
Posts

Drives: 128i Convertible
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

A/C cool air only on the passenger side; I Guess it's FIXED NOW

128i 2010 E88 N51 with 106,000miles. I bought the car with 95,000miles never recharged the A/C system and don't know if the previous owner did.

Read some OLD thread fixing the issue with refilling with freon and others replaced the evaporator" something no one wants to deal with".

Help!!


UPDATE: I refilled the car with less than half a bottle(510g size) of freon and the air is cool again. I'll give another update after a month

Last edited by 128ibro; 07-11-2018 at 02:06 PM..
Appreciate 0
      07-10-2018, 12:48 AM   #2
desertman123
E82 Mudflap Ambassador
desertman123's Avatar
United_States
2212
Rep
2,219
Posts

Drives: '08 128i
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Orlando, FL

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
1992 Honda Beat  [9.50]
2008 BMW 128i  [10.00]
2014 BMW 528i  [10.00]
Possible blend door actuator
Appreciate 1
Dackelone10511.00
      07-10-2018, 04:54 AM   #3
02Pilot
Malcontent
02Pilot's Avatar
188
Rep
305
Posts

Drives: 128i
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: NY

iTrader: (0)

First step: diagnose. Scan the system with a BMW-specific scan tool to determine if there are any fault codes present related to the HVAC system. After that, the easiest thing to do is have the A/C system pressures checked. If it's low on refrigerant, fill and test. If your problem is solved, great; if not, then move on to mechanical issues.
__________________
Life's tough. It's tougher when you're stupid. -John Wayne
Appreciate 1
Dackelone10511.00
      07-11-2018, 02:06 PM   #4
128ibro
Private First Class
128ibro's Avatar
49
Rep
128
Posts

Drives: 128i Convertible
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

UPDATE: I refilled the car with less than half a bottle(510g size) of freon and the air is cool again on both sides. I'll give another update after a month

Last edited by 128ibro; 07-13-2018 at 06:46 AM..
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2018, 06:15 AM   #5
Lucky1
Colonel
Canada
640
Rep
2,045
Posts

Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
This approach has fixed the same problem for me twice as well.
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2018, 06:49 AM   #6
128ibro
Private First Class
128ibro's Avatar
49
Rep
128
Posts

Drives: 128i Convertible
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky1 View Post
This approach has fixed the same problem for me twice as well.
After how long from refilling the first time it happened again?
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2018, 07:03 AM   #7
Lucky1
Colonel
Canada
640
Rep
2,045
Posts

Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by 128ibro View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky1 View Post
This approach has fixed the same problem for me twice as well.
After how long from refilling the first time it happened again?
Two years for me but its really going to depend on the underlying reason your refrigerant is leaking and how fast it is leaking. My mechanic put a dye in it to help find the leak but it doesn't show in an area that is visible without taking the dash or other areas apart so I am going to just refill it every two years for now. If it gets worse I'll rethink having the underlying cause determined.
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2018, 12:04 PM   #8
Streethawk
Private First Class
16
Rep
142
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Boston

iTrader: (0)

I had the same thing happen, air not cold enough from the driver side . Added gas but in 4 weeks I have the same issue again. Having to add gas mean there is leak in what should otherwise be a closed system. One has to find this leak or you will be adding gas again and again..

Now I have to find my leak..
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2018, 12:06 PM   #9
dsocold
Captain
American Samoa
198
Rep
684
Posts

Drives: f06 640i GC. E82 N54 135i
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: new york

iTrader: (0)

one time i had cool air only on the drivers side of the vdents and passenger half wasnt working they replaced like a gasket or two to fix it.
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2018, 12:33 PM   #10
128ibro
Private First Class
128ibro's Avatar
49
Rep
128
Posts

Drives: 128i Convertible
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Streethawk View Post
I had the same thing happen, air not cold enough from the driver side . Added gas but in 4 weeks I have the same issue again. Having to add gas mean there is leak in what should otherwise be a closed system. One has to find this leak or you will be adding gas again and again..

Now I have to find my leak..
Hopefully I have no leaks, and it's just because the age of the car.

Let us know where is the leak when u get it fixed.
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2018, 12:35 PM   #11
128ibro
Private First Class
128ibro's Avatar
49
Rep
128
Posts

Drives: 128i Convertible
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dsocold View Post
one time i had cool air only on the drivers side of the vdents and passenger half wasnt working they replaced like a gasket or two to fix it.
I think reaching the gaskets to be replaced same as reaching the evaporator; both require the dash to be removed.

How much costed you to replace them?
Appreciate 0
      07-16-2018, 03:08 PM   #12
dsocold
Captain
American Samoa
198
Rep
684
Posts

Drives: f06 640i GC. E82 N54 135i
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: new york

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 128ibro View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsocold View Post
one time i had cool air only on the drivers side of the vdents and passenger half wasnt working they replaced like a gasket or two to fix it.
I think reaching the gaskets to be replaced same as reaching the evaporator; both require the dash to be removed.

How much costed you to replace them?
i wouldnt know it was done under cpo warranty and the price was listed as N.C. (no charge)
Appreciate 0
      07-16-2018, 06:21 PM   #13
Lucky1
Colonel
Canada
640
Rep
2,045
Posts

Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky1 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by 128ibro View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky1 View Post
This approach has fixed the same problem for me twice as well.
After how long from refilling the first time it happened again?
Two years for me but its really going to depend on the underlying reason your refrigerant is leaking and how fast it is leaking. My mechanic put a dye in it to help find the leak but it doesn't show in an area that is visible without taking the dash or other areas apart so I am going to just refill it every two years for now. If it gets worse I'll rethink having the underlying cause determined.
So now after my mechanic recharged the refrigerant the a/c is blowing cold air out all vents but now there is a howling somewhat high pitched noise that rises and falls in pitch following engine rpm in neutral or in gear. It can get fairly audible. As it rises or falls with engine rpm if I turn the a/c off it stops right away. Any idea what has happened here and how serious it is?
Appreciate 0
      07-16-2018, 08:57 PM   #14
128ibro
Private First Class
128ibro's Avatar
49
Rep
128
Posts

Drives: 128i Convertible
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky1 View Post
So now after my mechanic recharged the refrigerant the a/c is blowing cold air out all vents but now there is a howling somewhat high pitched noise that rises and falls in pitch following engine rpm in neutral or in gear. It can get fairly audible. As it rises or falls with engine rpm if I turn the a/c off it stops right away. Any idea what has happened here and how serious it is?
I have the same thing now, but only when the A/C on max.

Please let me know if you know the cause or if it's normal...
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2018, 07:48 PM   #15
Streethawk
Private First Class
16
Rep
142
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Boston

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 128ibro View Post
Hopefully I have no leaks, and it's just because the age of the car.

Let us know where is the leak when u get it fixed.
You definitely have a leak somewhere, which could be age related or corrosion. I think my evaporator is leaking, which in percentage make 90% of all AC leaks on the e82, e88 and e90.

Clear and easy way to tell you have an evaporator leak is that you will see a haze, sheen of oil on your windshield. Along with air oil leaks out and gets blown on to the windshield.
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2018, 11:40 PM   #16
128ibro
Private First Class
128ibro's Avatar
49
Rep
128
Posts

Drives: 128i Convertible
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Streethawk View Post
You definitely have a leak somewhere, which could be age related or corrosion. I think my evaporator is leaking, which in percentage make 90% of all AC leaks on the e82, e88 and e90.

Clear and easy way to tell you have an evaporator leak is that you will see a haze, sheen of oil on your windshield. Along with air oil leaks out and gets blown on to the windshield.
I was wondering why I get haze sometimes on my windshield from the inside and the only explanations I had is dirt from driving with the top open. Till now my A/C works fine. I would rather keep refilling than fixing the leak since it's not pretty bad.

The refrigerant can which I used less than half of it states that it helps in stoping leaks.

Thank you!
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2018, 05:46 AM   #17
Streethawk
Private First Class
16
Rep
142
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Boston

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 128ibro View Post
I was wondering why I get haze sometimes on my windshield from the inside and the only explanations I had is dirt from driving with the top open. Till now my A/C works fine. I would rather keep refilling than fixing the leak since it's not pretty bad.

The refrigerant can which I used less than half of it states that it helps in stoping leaks.

Thank you!
Most cans advertise that as they have additives that lubricate and fix rubber seals. However only very few can fix metal pin hole keaks, which is what the evaporator developes.
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2018, 03:33 PM   #18
1N4ttro
Private First Class
38
Rep
171
Posts

Drives: 09 135i
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

I had this same issue only that in my case driver was warm and passenger uncomfortably ice cold I brought it to indy and they said refrigerant was low and that I have an evaporator leak. They recharged the system and both side are now the same and working perfectly. So far it has been a month and everything is working great. Planning on recharging every time until it stops holding anymore. All, be careful with refrigerant that have sealants in them, they can F.up your system by adding residue and possibly creating more future problems. Only safe fix is replacing leaky parts and filling with non-sealing refrigerant.
__________________

2009 135i M Sport • 6MT • Space Gray/Terracotta • JB4 • 261s

Last edited by 1N4ttro; 07-24-2018 at 02:44 PM..
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2018, 12:02 PM   #19
m_thompson
Major
m_thompson's Avatar
United_States
133
Rep
1,416
Posts

Drives: M-Sport 128i, 328xi, 3.0CS
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: New England, USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 128i  [0.00]
1972 3.0CS  [10.00]
Mine is back to being warm on the driver's side after refilling two weeks ago.

It is going to the dealer in a few weeks, most likely for a new evaporator.
The repair cost will probably be about 25% of the value of the car.
__________________
'09 128i - Black Sapphire Metallic\Coral Red\Glacier Silver\N51 DISA\6MT\Navigation\Premium\M-Sport\Heated seats\Xenon\Headlights\iPod\Smartphone\Euro Delivery
Appreciate 0
      07-24-2018, 12:44 PM   #20
Lucky1
Colonel
Canada
640
Rep
2,045
Posts

Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by m_thompson View Post
Mine is back to being warm on the driver's side after refilling two weeks ago.

It is going to the dealer in a few weeks, most likely for a new evaporator.
The repair cost will probably be about 25% of the value of the car.
Ouch. Thats perspective.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:32 PM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST