Real-Time Help....

[Jake335i]

2hrs from the closest city....on my way to a meeting yesterday the air through the fan vents was barely coming out.....(however the fan worked, all speeds, etc, but it seemed like air flow was blocked.)

Arrived at my destination and had a huge pool of liquid under the car, dripping for from about dead center Underneath it.

Today, I return to the car, check the coolant and it is a little low so I top off with distilled water. I start the car and fluid begins to run out immediately from the same place.

In my work clothes, in 100 degree weather, I slide under the X expecting to find a blown hose.

However, all I find is two drain tubes...perhaps A/c drains? But I dont know for sure and am scared to do much more with the car.

Again, fluid is flowing immediately upon starting the car, fluid does seem like water but I can't confirm that for sure.....

Stranded in the middle of no where, hoping for somehelp....

Thanks

Jake

[Zulu95]

AC Draining. Also sound like your AC is low and needs at least recharged. Had the same problem with airflow. The evaporator ices up when the system needs a recharge blocking the air.

[Jake335i]

Originally Posted by Zulu95

AC Draining. Also sound like your AC is low and needs at least recharged. Had the same problem with airflow. The evaporator ices up when the system needs a recharge blocking the air.

Thanks, the more I work on it the more I think the coolant wasn't low. Lol.

Fan blows full strength now but a/c is luke warm....guessing you were right, it froze up, melted and drained out...no every little cooling.

Did you just buy a can of a/c charge? Or have it professionally done?

[Quicksilver]

The AC DIY is not DIY. there are too many other things to consider. Evaporated Dryer ect. Get it done the right way the first time. You'll be a happy camper.

Originally Posted by Jake335i

Thanks, the more I work on it the more I think the coolant wasn't low. Lol.

Fan blows full strength now but a/c is luke warm....guessing you were right, it froze up, melted and drained out...no every little cooling.

Did you just buy a can of a/c charge? Or have it professionally done?

[Zulu95]

I'll be honest I needed it to work FAST so I bought a quick charge can and charged it until the needle hit the green. That got me working until the shop I used could do the full professional diagnostic, purge, recharge.
Still blowing cold air which is good considering the hot house we are having at the moment.

[StephenVA]

Nothing will better than some cool air.

A little background on what is happening to your X:
Under your dash inside of the ducts is a small radiator looking part that has air flowing through it (inside or outside air depending on the HVAC controls) which has freon (134A actually, as Freon is a DuPont brand name for the old R12 stuff). As the refrigerant expands through the valve under pressure it's temp is lowered, as the air travels through the mini rad, the heat from the air is transferred to the freon. If the pressure is too low for the freon to circulate correctly, moisture builds up forming ice until no air will travel through- hence no air from the vents. You probably noticed a white vapor coming out of the vents frequently especially just before the air flow slowed down. All of that ice melts off when you let the vehicle sit for a few hours.

Bottom line: Add some freon as you did, enjoy the cool air and when you are ready any A/C competent shop can hang a few gauges on the system, read the internal pressures, evacuate the system, checking for leaks and determine where the issue(s) are as this system is SEALED> meaning one continuous loop with no openings. I would recommend a BMW independent shop as they will be familiar with our unique twist to HVAC systems and they will have the necessary skills and tools to find leaks quickly. The freon gas has to be leaking somewhere> Hoses, fittings, evaporator, condenser, or other failed parts. Could be something simple such as a failed low pressure switch, Receiver dryer, or something big. Better to find out soon and have it repaired as summer is here! Don't forget that big rad up front has a A/C condenser in there too which can be blocked by road trash, leaves, and subject to hits from the stuff we don't swerve around.

Helpful?

[Jake335i]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

The AC DIY is not DIY. there are too many other things to consider. Evaporated Dryer ect. Get it done the right way the first time. You'll be a happy camper.

I agree with this, however I love several hours from anyone who works on A/C units (other than "recharge only" at a minute lube).

I ended up buying a can and all seems to be working again. Still haven't fully tested my repair....the 2.5hrs drive home is tomorrow, but I think I will be good.

For now I will hope it's fixed, if not, I have gauges and am pretty familiar with working on them. (Battled with the AC in my H1 last summer, replaced the dryer, drained, recharged, problem solved

[Jake335i]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

Nothing will better than some cool air.

A little background on what is happening to your X:
Under your dash inside of the ducts is a small radiator looking part that has air flowing through it (inside or outside air depending on the HVAC controls) which has freon (134A actually, as Freon is a DuPont brand name for the old R12 stuff). As the refrigerant expands through the valve under pressure it's temp is lowered, as the air travels through the mini rad, the heat from the air is transferred to the freon. If the pressure is too low for the freon to circulate correctly, moisture builds up forming ice until no air will travel through- hence no air from the vents. You probably noticed a white vapor coming out of the vents frequently especially just before the air flow slowed down. All of that ice melts off when you let the vehicle sit for a few hours.

Bottom line: Add some freon as you did, enjoy the cool air and when you are ready any A/C competent shop can hang a few gauges on the system, read the internal pressures, evacuate the system, checking for leaks and determine where the issue(s) are as this system is SEALED> meaning one continuous loop with no openings. I would recommend a BMW independent shop as they will be familiar with our unique twist to HVAC systems and they will have the necessary skills and tools to find leaks quickly. The freon gas has to be leaking somewhere> Hoses, fittings, evaporator, condenser, or other failed parts. Could be something simple such as a failed low pressure switch, Receiver dryer, or something big. Better to find out soon and have it repaired as summer is here! Don't forget that big rad up front has a A/C condenser in there too which can be blocked by road trash, leaves, and subject to hits from the stuff we don't swerve around.

Helpful?

Yes very helpful....however closet dealership is about 7hrs away....most likely the same distance to find a BMW Indy.

I will resort to adding dye...paying Minute Lube to drain system, fix leak, replace dryer and have them recharge it. That is of course only if it acts up again.

[David.X5]

just avoid the cans of refrigerant with sealing goo mixed in. They tend to make a mess of things. Many shops won't work on a car once that is in there, or will charge you extra, or insist on replacing the entire AC loop...