Bought an E85 with non-working aircon

[DaveP]

So, after a few near misses, I'm finally into a 3.0i Z4. The car is in excellent nick, and has all of the extras I wanted (bar cruise), but the bloody aircon isn't working. I negotiated a few hundred quid off based on some reading about the size of potential bills, but I could use getting it fixed.

The seller took it to ATS to have it regassed, and it turns out they were as helpful as a bout of D&V.

ATS said that their pressure test didn't show a leak, and I can hear a (delayed) click of something engaging when I push the aircon button. But, alas, bugger all by way of cold air.

Before I get a reliable mobile aircon bod to come and have a look, or book it into a BMW specialist to get it looked at while it's being serviced, does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Pondrew]

Put the a/c button to 'ON', check to see what the compressor is doing. The clutch on the front of the compressor should engage. If so there is enough pressure in the system. If it cycles (every couple of seconds) you have some refrigerant in there just not enough. If it doesn't engage there is very little refrigerant in there.
If it has been leak tested and no leaks found, it should be a case of a simple re-gas. Refrigerant can leak if the a/c hasn't been used for a long period as the compressor seal can dry out and shrink. Once used again, the seal will be lubricated and generally is OK.
HTH

 

[DaveP]

Put the a/c button to 'ON', check to see what the compressor is doing. The clutch on the front of the compressor should engage. If so there is enough pressure in the system. If it cycles (every couple of seconds) you have some refrigerant in there just not enough. If it doesn't engage there is very little refrigerant in there.
If it has been leak tested and no leaks found, it should be a case of a simple re-gas. Refrigerant can leak if the a/c hasn't been used for a long period as the compressor seal can dry out and shrink. Once used again, the seal will be lubricated and generally is OK.
HTH

Thanks for the info.

The worrying part about the whole ATS thing was that they simply handed him the car back with a "Well, we've filled it with gas, but it's still not working. This one's on you.".

I guess if you pay peanuts, you may well get monkeys.

 

[Pondrew]

The worrying part about the whole ATS thing was that they simply handed him the car back with a "Well, we've filled it with gas, but it's still not working. This one's on you.".

I guess if you pay peanuts, you may well get monkeys.

Horses for courses I suppose. I'm a qualified a/c engineer but I couldn't change your tyres

 

[DaveP]

Duplicate. Ignore.

 

[DaveP]

The worrying part about the whole ATS thing was that they simply handed him the car back with a "Well, we've filled it with gas, but it's still not working. This one's on you.".

I guess if you pay peanuts, you may well get monkeys.

Horses for courses I suppose. I'm a qualified a/c engineer but I couldn't change your tyres

Indeed. But I suspect you're not offering a tyre change service. :wink:

 

[Pondrew]

Indeed. But I suspect you're not offering a tyre change service.

Yep. That's my point, offering a service doesn't necessarily make you any good at it. These type of places just have an 'all in one' machine which they can plug onto the car and it does everything for them (refrigerant-wise). The tyre-fitters will have had an hour training on how to use the machine, nothing else.
Anyway if you can ascertain whether or not the compressor clutch is engaging; you can go from there. If it helps I am happy to talk you through checks to do via PM.