Air Conditioning Problem

[Z4 Forum AMW]

From the looks of this forum I am the only person who has problems with their Z4

Anyway, my air conditioning is noisy when I put it on and the air that it is producing is not that cold.

Is the air con motor supposed to be this noisy or is this faulty?

Also, I suspect it is not producing cold air as it needs re-gassing but how do I know this for sure

Thanks

Alex

 

[sp3ctre]

I'm not sure without listening to it, but you can test the temp by turning the air con control right down, on the lowest setting it blasts out as cols as it can without using the thermostat to control it (I believe).

It's not the best air con in the business though, I thought mine was a litte warm, but I got BMW to check it out and it apparently is ok. They put it on min then measure the temp I believe.

Can you try recording the noise and posting it for us to hear?

 

[pvr]

Your car is getting up to 4 years old now - so if you have not had it re-gassed before, it might be due now.

When you say noise - can you also hear it if you have the fan turned down really low?

 

[Z4 Forum AMW]

I'll check and get back to you - thanks for the help (so far!)

 

[pvr]

Also check for the noise re the positioning of the centre console vent. If they are half closed, they can flap a bit on strong vent setting ...

 

[Yal]

mine's noisier than heck and it takes about 2 minutes to actually blow cold air, but when it does, it gets pretty cold. I don't use mine much though.

Mine's a 10/02 build.

 

[Giles]

Interesting.

I'm not really that impressed with the ac in my Coupe. It never seems to really blow cold air unless you hit the 'max' button, and even then it takes a while

 

[unionjack]

Haven't had any issues to speak of but I've only had mine a week. The worst part of out summer (daily exceed 100 F) is rapidly approaching so if I do, it will happen soon. Of course you all will hear about it first.

 

[pvr]

I must admit that the airco on my X5 gets colder a lot quicker. Maybe they put a smaller unit in the Z then on the other models to save weight?

 

[skelters]

I had problems a couple of months ago with my Air Conditioning.

Was stuck on hot and the dial was just turning. Stayed at the same temperature.

Ended up getting a new Air Conditioning Control Unit fitted under Warranty.

40 miles later the Power Steering failed.

After geting a second opinion and a quote to get it fixed (£1500) I took it back to the dealers.

Re flashed the software as the newer software in the Air Con Unit conflicted with the Power Steering Software.

 

[unionjack]

I had problems a couple of months ago with my Air Conditioning.

Was stuck on hot and the dial was just turning. Stayed at the same temperature.

Oh, that had to suck balls.

 

[zee42]

when the 134a charge gets low the clutch on your unit will cycle on and off making a noise and creating power loss.the air through the vents will be lukewarm at best...may have a leaking seal....need to recharge and get it checked...now days if you have no ac in summer you will have no heat in winter

 

[Zedrider]

It may just need regassing. BMW will charge a mint to do it because they will have to 'diagnose the fault'. However, you can buy a kit from Halfords or similar parts supplier to do it yourself. It consists of an aerosol with pressure gauge and valve set up which you connect to the car Aircon system. The refil valve on the Z4 at the rear left side of the engine compartement with a black dust cap.

 

[sp3ctre]

Cool.. Thanks for the tip and congrats on your first post!

 

[davidpfitz]

It may just need regassing. BMW will charge a mint to do it because they will have to 'diagnose the fault'. However, you can buy a kit from Halfords or similar parts supplier to do it yourself. It consists of an aerosol with pressure gauge and valve set up which you connect to the car Aircon system. The refil valve on the Z4 at the rear left side of the engine compartement with a black dust cap.

I might give this a go, and take a few snaps for a how-to.

D.

 

[sp3ctre]

It may just need regassing. BMW will charge a mint to do it because they will have to 'diagnose the fault'. However, you can buy a kit from Halfords or similar parts supplier to do it yourself. It consists of an aerosol with pressure gauge and valve set up which you connect to the car Aircon system. The refil valve on the Z4 at the rear left side of the engine compartement with a black dust cap.

I might give this a go, and take a few snaps for a how-to.

D.

Nice one.. look forward to it, that'd be great

Thanks

 

[ovrkll]

Just don't screw it up! A/C systems can be very expensive to repair!

Overcharge of the system seems to be the number one fault of DIY, make sure you know what pressure BMW uses for our Z4's.

 

[Z4 Forum AMW]

Can anyone give me some more directions to the air con valve in the engine bay - there seems to be two.

The first is against the firewall on the left had side and is slightly smaller

The other is on the left hand side next to the front wing and is slightly larger!

Any help greatly appreciated

 

[Z4 Forum AMW]

Bump

 

[ovrkll]

One is high side pressure (after the compressor), the other is low side (before the compressor). When using gauges made for A/c systems, the gauges should plug right up