Bulletproof Air Conditioning

[mackeroni]

I was driving down the road today, thoroughly enjoying my AC, when it occurred to me that I have never read about an AC failure on this forum. Sure, a couple of drivers required a refrigerant refill, but that is all I can remember. Is it possible that the AC is the only truly reliable system in the ultimate driving machine?

Peace... Mack

[PDXE82]

Maybe, except for that lovely sweaty gym locker smell they get after years of use. Battled that issue several times in my old E39. I got it better but never completely fresh smelling. Now with the 1 I always let the fresh air blow on high to help dry the evaporator for several miles before shutting it down.

[m_thompson]

Maybe not...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=887759

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by mackeroni

I was driving down the road today, thoroughly enjoying my AC, when it occurred to me that I have never read about an AC failure on this forum. Sure, a couple of drivers required a refrigerant refill, but that is all I can remember. Is it possible that the AC is the only truly reliable system in the ultimate driving machine?

Peace... Mack

Look up evaporator leaks. Very common. Requires complete dash removal to replace.

[YearOneOne]

Originally Posted by PDXE82

Maybe, except for that lovely sweaty gym locker smell they get after years of use. Battled that issue several times in my old E39. I got it better but never completely fresh smelling. Now with the 1 I always let the fresh air blow on high to help dry the evaporator for several miles before shutting it down.

Does that help letting it blow dry?

[NVHoo]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I hope you are kidding. Look up evaporator leaks. Very common. Requires complete dash removal to replace.

Thank goodness it was under warranty. The overall reliability of mine has been poor and I've only got 20k on the ticker. Best investment I ever made was the $2K extended warranty from CarMax since my bills have already doubled that in a year and a half.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by YearOneOne

Does that help letting it blow dry?

I do the same. I never get that musty smell in my car.

[mackeroni]

Doesn't anyone drive with the windows down and the sunroof open? I use my A/C occasionally, probably less than 20% of the time. Maybe this is the reason I have no evaporator troubles...and no gym locker smell.

I missed that thread about evaporator leaks from three/four years ago. Seems that some drivers have had problems, but not at a level approaching those of HPFP destruction, water pump failure or OFHG leaks. I don't mean to minimize the problem. I'm just estimating a low frequency of occurrence based on fewer posts.

Peace... Mack

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by mackeroni

Doesn't anyone drive with the windows down and the sunroof open? I use my A/C occasionally, probably less than 20% of the time. Maybe this is the reason I have no evaporator troubles...and no gym locker smell.

I missed that thread about evaporator leaks from three/four years ago. Seems that some drivers have had problems, but not at a level approaching those of HPFP destruction, water pump failure or OFHG leaks. I don't mean to minimize the problem. I'm just estimating a low frequency of occurrence based on fewer posts.

Peace... Mack

I thought NOT using the a/c on a regular basis would increase the chance of failure? My car had the evaporator replaced at around 33k miles(under warranty), the previous owner didn't drive it daily. Yes it's a huge process the whole dash has to come off.

On a side note my car's a/c performs like a champ especially in this Texas heat, my last car a MK6 GTI had horrible a/c it would only cool at highway speeds. Sitting in traffic on a summer day =sweaty back.

[PDXE82]

Originally Posted by mackeroni

Doesn't anyone drive with the windows down and the sunroof open? I use my A/C occasionally, probably less than 20% of the time. Maybe this is the reason I have no evaporator troubles...and no gym locker smell.



Peace... Mack

That's what I do the majority of time. Till it gets into the higher 80s. Not usually an issue here in Portland.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

I thought NOT using the a/c on a regular basis would increase the chance of failure? My car had the evaporator replaced at around 33k miles(under warranty), the previous owner didn't drive it daily. Yes it's a huge process the whole dash has to come off.

On a side note my car's a/c performs like a champ especially in this Texas heat, my last car a MK6 GTI had horrible a/c it would only cool at highway speeds. Sitting in traffic on a summer day =sweaty back.

As far as I can understand, the issue is actually brass dust from the blower motor bearing landing on the evaporator and causing galvanic corrosion with the aluminium. Need to keep the evap clean? Lubricate the bearing in the blower motor? Both, neither?

[Craig in Alabam]

Hi Folks,

Not specific to BMWs, but I have read that's it's a good practice to run your AC on a regular basis to keep the compressor parts lubricated. I run my AC a little every time I drive the car. I also turn it off a couple miles from home to keep the musty smell away.

Cheers!
Craig

[mackeroni]

Originally Posted by Craig in Alabam

Hi Folks,

Not specific to BMWs, but I have read that's it's a good practice to run your AC on a regular basis to keep the compressor parts lubricated. I run my AC a little every time I drive the car. I also turn it off a couple miles from home to keep the musty smell away.

Cheers!
Craig

Yes, I have heard that too. I have owned several Mazda's. Owners Manuals all included instructions to run the AC for a short time each week even in the winter to keep the bearings lubricated. Not sure it did anything to affect the longevity of the evaporator, though.

Peace... Mack

[ianc]

I run mine as little as possible around town because I find that the extra drag of the compressor ruins the timing of my shifts. Freeway is ok. Or when my wife complains.

Still working fine at 68K though...

ianc

[Imty45]

My evaporator was just replaced under warranty
Apparently it's pretty common

[Converted1]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

As far as I can understand, the issue is actually brass dust from the blower motor bearing landing on the evaporator and causing galvanic corrosion with the aluminium. Need to keep the evap clean? Lubricate the bearing in the blower motor? Both, neither?

Is there any truth to this? Can the area be access by a vacuum/compressed air and cleaned periodically?

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Converted1

Is there any truth to this? Can the area be access by a vacuum/compressed air and cleaned periodically?

I bought a can of evap cleaner. Have not gotten around to doing it yet.

[ShocknAwe]

Nope. I'm sure I have a leak somewhere. My AC started blowing warm at ~7 years and 80k on the clock. Bought the tools from HF and did a full evac and fill 2 weeks ago. Still ice cold, so it's at least a slow one. Sad thing is it cost me less in tools AND time than it would have at an automotive AC shop to do the same thing. I was done in an hour and a half, and cost me ~$100 for the tools. Shops wanted 2-4 hours and $150-300 for the job. Expensive for such an easy task. An evac and fill will cost me $10 next time.

Never had a car that didn't need refrigerant work every few years.

[m_thompson]

Originally Posted by Imty45

My evaporator was just replaced under warranty
Apparently it's pretty common

I complained about the oily film on the inside of the windshield when my 128i was under warranty. The SA said it was offgassing from the interior parts and that it was common.

Eight years later I still have to clean the oily film off the windshield, but now I know that it is from the PAG oil mixed with the R-134a. There are no signs of a leak under the hood, so it must be the evaporator that is leaking. I just put about 8oz of refrigerant in every 2 years and it works fine. I am not ready to pay 10% of the value of the car for this repair.

[mackeroni]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I bought a can of evap cleaner. Have not gotten around to doing it yet.

Will you have to remove the dash to access the evaporator? Would like to hear how this works.

Peace... Mack

[MightyMouseTech]

Doing your own A/C work? What are you guys putting in there?

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by mackeroni

Will you have to remove the dash to access the evaporator? Would like to hear how this works.

Peace... Mack

The can comes with a long tube that you put up inside the evap drain tube. Put a bunch of the cleaner up in there and reinstall the drain tube. Let the cleaner run out.

Again, have not done it on my own car yet.

Google "foaming evap cleaner"