Bad news for my 4.4i!!!!!

[rjs1222]

It's not Frean, it's Freon. The X5 doesn't use it anyway, it uses R134. If you do patch the hole, you need to take it to a shop to get it evacuated, and then recharged. Since you depressurized the system, if you don't evacuate, you will damage the compressor if you just try to recharge.

[Eric Giles]

Originally Posted by rjs1222

It's not Frean, it's Freon. The X5 doesn't use it anyway, it uses R134. If you do patch the hole, you need to take it to a shop to get it evacuated, and then recharged. Since you depressurized the system, if you don't evacuate, you will damage the compressor if you just try to recharge.

It won't really damage the compressor so much as it won't cool nearly as effectively. But yes, you definitely need to evacuate the system-and theoretically, you also need to replace the receiver/dryer has it has now been exposed to the air.

And please-forget the JB Weld recommendation-sure it works in some cases, but on an A/C system?? That's one thing you don't half-ass as it can be VERY expensive to replace.

And you can buy R134a at any auto parts store in the country-Freon is R12 and you need EPA 609 certification to buy and sell it.

[BimmerDude]

Sorry about the spelling, I'm just going to do what my mechanic says I should do then. He told me the same thing you guys are all telling me. Either way, I'm going to cough up the $$$$ and get this thing 100% done the right way, not half ass. Thanks for all your help everyone.

[BimmerDude]

Updated!!!!!!!!!!!Just spoke to my mechanic and car should be ready on Friday. I hope so he has been taken his time, to make sure everything is done properly. He told me that this is one of the many big jobs he has done, especially on a BMW. He told me that the 14hr labor they show in alldata is way to low. There is way to much to take apart before you even get to the evaporator. I went over to take a look last friday, and my heart droped to the ground. Boy let me tell you how weird the X looked with no dash and steering wheel. Well today he told me that the evap is in, and now its putting everything back together. Will let everyone know how it goes.