A/C Stop Blowing Air

[Unit107]

I have searched for a possible answer to my issue and may have gotten close, but thought I would ask flat out. Sorry if this is a re-post.

My A/C starts out blowing cold air and after about 10-15 minutes I can still hear the (blower) fan working, but nothing is coming out of vents. If I hit the A/C button to off, it starts blowing very cold air in about 30 seconds, and continues to do so for several minutes. After the air starts to warm up, I turn the A/C button back to On and it works again for another 10-15mins and process starts all over again.

It almost seems like it is building ice up in the system and blocking the air, then after turning the air off, the vent air is just passing over the ice build-up, thus continuing to blow cold air. This is compounded on days when the outside temp is very hot. Also have experience condensated air blowing from the center vents.

Any thoughts??

[upallnight]

Sounds like the drain tube for the evaporator is plugged and water is building up on the evaporator coils and forming ice. Do you see water under the truck when the AC is on?

[srmmmm]

Low refrigerant level causing too much pressure differential in the system and possible elevated head temperature and well as a "super-cooled" evaporator that's icing up. Check for tell-tale oil residue at pipe connection on the top of the compressor and at pipe connection to the condensor indicating refrigerant leak.

2002 X5 2.0 235,000 miles
2004 325i 109,000 miles

[Unit107]

Thanks for the replies. Most definitely refrigerant level is low. Not quite blowing as cold as I would expect. I will refill it and will test again. However, there still may be an issue with a leak. I will check the connections around the compressor.

Also will check the evaporator drain tube. I was hoping you might be able to direct me to its location? Either way I wouldn't be surprised if it was clogged, as I have had issues with other "draining" related systems.

Thanks again

[S18adeli]

Originally Posted by Unit107

Thanks for the replies. Most definitely refrigerant level is low. Not quite blowing as cold as I would expect. I will refill it and will test again. However, there still may be an issue with a leak. I will check the connections around the compressor.

Also will check the evaporator drain tube. I was hoping you might be able to direct me to its location? Either way I wouldn't be surprised if it was clogged, as I have had issues with other "draining" related systems.

Thanks again

Did you ever resolve this?

[allwaysthinking]

I just bought a 2001 X5 3.0 and I am having the same problem. Its freezing up but it isn't dripping any water when running the a/c. Can someone tell me where the drain tube is located? I haven't checked the frezon yet but it blows super cool now.

[allwaysthinking]

No one knows?

[Zulu95]

Drain tubes exit either side of the transmission. My AC was blowing super cold but airflow was dropping after a few minutes. I even had ice and mist blowing out the vents! Turned out to be low on refrigerant as posted earlier by others here.

[allwaysthinking]

Ok thanks for the reply I will check the frezon this weekend and get it up on a lift and clean out the drain tubes if I can find them.