Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Arnott
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old 08-18-2012, 08:57 PM
killcrap's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: america
Posts: 1,508
killcrap is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by X5_Rob View Post
My passenger side a\c is not blowing nearly as cold as the driver side... dealer telling me I have a bad evaporator and wants $2,100 to replace the evaporator unit. Sounds like BS to as from what little I know about the a/c how would the driver side be blowing cold if the evaporator needed replacing?

I'm thinking it might just need an a/c recharge and am researching if that is something I can do myself... What say Outpost guru's??

Thanks a bunch... btw I have a 2005 4.4 with 85k miles...

The a/c system in a X5 takes less than 1 lb of refrigerant. After about 7 years, it will leak out an maximum of 30 grams per year. So it would be low by about .46lbs. When the refrigerant is low, the driver side will blow colder than the passenger side, due to the design of the dual zone heater system. The first time a system is found low, and is opened up for the first time, there should never be a diagnosis given right away, unless the leak is evident, audible or visually. The system should be evacuated and placed in a vacuum, oil dye added, and recharged to spec. The next time the a/c system is not blowing cold again, a pair of uv glasses and black light should be used to see where the oil dye is leaking out of. If a leak is present, the a/c should start to blow warm with in a year of the recharge.

If the system has never been recharged before, it should be done first before a proper diagnosis can be performed.
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #12  
Old 08-19-2012, 08:38 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 129
X5_Rob is on a distinguished road
Thanks KC.. I did have the system evacuated and recharged... it was down around a half pound so that lines up with what you said. It's blowing artic cold both sides now... I'm thinking about turning off the freezer in my garage just keeping the X running and storing meat and ice cream in there. We'll see how long it lasts and whether or not I have a leak.. driver side has always blown cold and passenger side has been blowing warmer for quite a while now.. if its leaking its one slow leak...
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 08-20-2012, 12:19 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 107
E53inLA is on a distinguished road
My mechanic says a common problem is the Receiver Drier/Accumulator and it needs to be replaced at about 90K miles along with freon recharge.

The part isn't expensive.

Experts?
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 08-20-2012, 12:29 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 295
bastereo is on a distinguished road
The receiver/drier doesn't wear out and is not a maintenance item.

Only replaced if:
it is leaking
and it is recommended to replace it anytime the system is opened (for replacement of another component)
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 08-20-2012, 12:35 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 107
E53inLA is on a distinguished road
Sorry if I wasn't so clear. He didn't say it wears out but rather it gets full of particle material...

What we call "smog" in LA.

My A/C is working, but not like a few months ago. It used to blow very chilly air, a minute or so after starting. Now, it takes 5-10 minutes to blow moderately cold air. Had the freon drained and refilled at a local service shop and they said the system isn't leaking, but I don't have a lot of confidence in this place. Not likely I will use them again, but they were convenient at the time.

Last edited by E53inLA; 08-20-2012 at 01:05 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 08-20-2012, 04:41 AM
killcrap's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: america
Posts: 1,508
killcrap is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by E53inLA View Post
My mechanic says a common problem is the Receiver Drier/Accumulator and it needs to be replaced at about 90K miles along with freon recharge.

The part isn't expensive.

Experts?
The drier is not a wear part. It should never have to be replaced on a x5. Even if the system is opened for more than 24 hrs. The drier is an insert on all x5s. During a certain production period, the condenser was redesigned and the old drier insert is no longer available. If you must replace it, the entire condenser must be replaced. So inexpensive? I don't think so.

If you can explain how smog can get into a closed system, the guys at NASA have a job waiting for you.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 08-20-2012, 11:13 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 107
E53inLA is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by killcrap View Post
The drier is not a wear part. It should never have to be replaced on a x5. Even if the system is opened for more than 24 hrs. The drier is an insert on all x5s. During a certain production period, the condenser was redesigned and the old drier insert is no longer available. If you must replace it, the entire condenser must be replaced. So inexpensive? I don't think so.

If you can explain how smog can get into a closed system, the guys at NASA have a job waiting for you.
I'm certainly no expert... and often confused. I did a google search and found this:

The air conditioning receiver drier is better named refrigerant storage device because, in essence, that is what it does. Beyond storing the excess refrigerant, the air conditioning receiver drier also houses a desiccant bag. This might vary depending on the design. The dessicant feature of the air conditioning receiver drier keeps debris and moisture out of the compressor. It serves as the "air filter" for the air conditioning system.

Air Conditioning Receiver Drier - Discount Prices!

The plan is to replace the part and recharge the system. I will report back later on the final result.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 08-20-2012, 01:00 PM
killcrap's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: america
Posts: 1,508
killcrap is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by E53inLA View Post
I'm certainly no expert... and often confused. I did a google search and found this:

The air conditioning receiver drier is better named refrigerant storage device because, in essence, that is what it does. Beyond storing the excess refrigerant, the air conditioning receiver drier also houses a desiccant bag. This might vary depending on the design. The dessicant feature of the air conditioning receiver drier keeps debris and moisture out of the compressor. It serves as the "air filter" for the air conditioning system.

Air Conditioning Receiver Drier - Discount Prices!

The plan is to replace the part and recharge the system. I will report back later on the final result.
okay, i would seriously reconsider replacing it. but if you do remove it, you will see the dessicant soaked in oil, and maybe green dye in it if its been properly worked on before. you will see no debris.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 08-20-2012, 01:03 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 12
tacairlift is on a distinguished road
The drier removes moisture from the coolant (R-134a) In the AC system. There should be no reason to replace it unless you have had the system open for over 24hrs or replaced a major part like the compressor. You said you had the coolant removed and replaced but is not cooling as well now. My guess is you have a leak, find a good AC specialist to look at it, small leaks can be hard to find. Also if you have doubts about the guys that replaced you coolant, you may want your coolant checked because there is rash of counterfeit R-134a being used. It contains R-40 which will corrode aluminum and is explosive.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 08-20-2012, 08:44 PM
Christiano's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Brazil
Posts: 226
Christiano is on a distinguished road
I´m having this problem since a few months. At each 4 months, the right side blows normal air, not cold air. I did 3 recharges and leak test. Nothing. After recharge the system blows really cold freezing air. Three months later, hot air again on the right side is back... Yesterday, the system stopped. None of cold air. Just a little noise could be heard but the system blows hot air. I take the car out to the AC shop and, guess what? I saw a fluorescent green/yellow oil on the garage floor.
On shop, they do recharge the oil/gas again to make a leak test, but told me that the evaporator is leaking. He saw a drain tube is leaking this yellow/green oil on the middle of the car. Anyone has a tip?
My car has the extended warranty, I´ll take my chances at dealership.

Fingers crossed.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:25 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.