AC issue centre vents

[elliot330]

Hi All

More of a reader, than a poster in here.. but I have a problem and can't find a solution.. and its getting hotter.

Upon returning to the car after it has been sat in the sun for a few hours, I start the engine, turn both the Passenger and drivers side temp to 16 degrees C. The coldest setting. The fan will ramp up to max.

The passenger side, left hand side of vehicle will start pumping out ice cold air within 5 seconds.

However, the drivers side, right hand side will is pumping out outside ambient temperature air for at least 10 to 15 minutes, eventually it will cool and be the same as the passenger side. BMW UK haven't seen this before, but want the car for a week to try and diagnose the fault.

Anyone else come accross this kind of fault before?

Thanks
Elliot

Will post a video later...as my explantion might not be to good...

PS. Both the dealer and I have checked the Idrive settings and both are set the same.

[jeremym]

Originally Posted by elliot330

Hi All

More of a reader, than a poster in here.. but I have a problem and can't find a solution.. and its getting hotter.

Upon returning to the car after it has been sat in the sun for a few hours, I start the engine, turn both the Passenger and drivers side temp to 16 degrees C. The coldest setting. The fan will ramp up to max.

The passenger side, left hand side of vehicle will start pumping out ice cold air within 5 seconds.

However, the drivers side, right hand side will is pumping out outside ambient temperature air for at least 10 to 15 minutes, eventually it will cool and be the same as the passenger side. BMW UK haven't seen this before, but want the car for a week to try and diagnose the fault.

Anyone else come accross this kind of fault before?

Thanks
Elliot

Will post a video later...as my explantion might not be to good...

PS. Both the dealer and I have checked the Idrive settings and both are set the same.

I wonder if this is more of a design flaw than an actual problem. My left-hand drive 2007 4.8i does the same thing.

My driver side (left side of the truck; your passenger's side) pumps out ice-cold, hand-numbing air almost instantly. However, my passenger side (right side of truck; your driver's side) pumps out "cool" air but not the same hand-numbing air that the left side does.

I wonder if this is more of a routing issue of the airflow rather than a vehicle-specific issue. I'm bringing my truck in next Tuesday for some routine stuff and plan on mentioning this.

My iDrive settings are at the coldest and the airflow is set to maximum along with the HVAC setting to Max A/C and fan at 100%.

[Richard in NC]

I was told that was caused by low refridgerent. They charged my A/C to fix it.

[elliot330]

Cheers for the replies so far...

Just to add, it hasn't always been there, only started to happen this summer, the car is a MY 2009. 3.0 SD

Richard, I asked my dealer if he thought it might be low on gas, but they tested the pressure and said it was within guidelines. After listening to what solved your problem, I think I may just pay for a re-gas and see what that does?

[jeremym]

Originally Posted by elliot330

Cheers for the replies so far...

Just to add, it hasn't always been there, only started to happen this summer

Same here.

After listening to what solved your problem, I think I may just pay for a re-gas and see what that does?

You're still under warranty. Don't pay for anything. Tell them that you know someone who had gotten a recharge and it fixed the issue. If they don't want to do a recharge, then they can keep the truck until it's fixed.

[jeremym]

Got mine fixed. There was a leak in the evaporator. Replaced 100% under warranty. Now she blows COLD. I suppose the A/C recharge that was needed also helped.

[peterjaw]

Originally Posted by elliot330

Hi All

More of a reader, than a poster in here.. but I have a problem and can't find a solution.. and its getting hotter.

Upon returning to the car after it has been sat in the sun for a few hours, I start the engine, turn both the Passenger and drivers side temp to 16 degrees C. The coldest setting. The fan will ramp up to max.

The passenger side, left hand side of vehicle will start pumping out ice cold air within 5 seconds.

However, the drivers side, right hand side will is pumping out outside ambient temperature air for at least 10 to 15 minutes, eventually it will cool and be the same as the passenger side. BMW UK haven't seen this before, but want the car for a week to try and diagnose the fault.

Anyone else come accross this kind of fault before?

Thanks
Elliot

Will post a video later...as my explantion might not be to good...

PS. Both the dealer and I have checked the Idrive settings and both are set the same.

Hi Elliot,
I have exactly the same problem as you do. The only difference is that
our driver side is on the left.

I went to the dealer yesterday and asked them to check the refridgerent,
it was about 14% less than the maximum quantity. Still safe but very close
the lowest request. The worker recharge the refridgerent then the syndrome
disappear immediately.

Dealer said that there may be leakage somewhere or the car was out of
assembly factory with low refridgerent.

I have visited the same dealer a few months ago for the same problem.
They plug into the computer and took all the measuring data. Nothing wrong.
But the syndrome is still there, so I insisted them to check my refridgerent
yesterday. BINGO!

[pureflames]

I unfortunately have the exact same problem as the original poster. My 2007 X5 3.0 (Oct 2006 build) blows cold air on the driver (left side) but hot ambient air on the right side (passenger side). Of note, the centre console that is usually chilled when the AC is active is actually not chilled, meaning it is operating incorrectly as does the passenger side. idrive settings are all correctly positioned. My SAV is now out of warranty...does anyone have a recommendation on how best to get it fixed, assuming it is a leak in the evaporator. Thanks, much appreciated...going on a long road trip and the wife ain't looking forward to it (plus my one kid on the passenger rear seat isn't happy)!
PS: prior to warranty expiry, BMW dealer attempted to fix the legendary BMW engine knock by replacing lifters/valves. Could their work have caused an evaporator leak possibly?

[peterjaw]

Originally Posted by pureflames

I unfortunately have the exact same problem as the original poster. My 2007 X5 3.0 (Oct 2006 build) blows cold air on the driver (left side) but hot ambient air on the right side (passenger side). Of note, the centre console that is usually chilled when the AC is active is actually not chilled, meaning it is operating incorrectly as does the passenger side. idrive settings are all correctly positioned. My SAV is now out of warranty...does anyone have a recommendation on how best to get it fixed, assuming it is a leak in the evaporator. Thanks, much appreciated...going on a long road trip and the wife ain't looking forward to it (plus my one kid on the passenger rear seat isn't happy)!
PS: prior to warranty expiry, BMW dealer attempted to fix the legendary BMW engine knock by replacing lifters/valves. Could their work have caused an evaporator leak possibly?

Hi Pureflames,
I suggest you to ask the dealer to check the quantity of refridgerent.
This is the easiest way. Ask them to suck out all the refridgerent and put them on weight. It should be around 700g.

When I did this on my car, I had only about 615g. So I ask them to
refill to 704g, then the problem be solved.

If you have enough refridgerent, then you need to worry about other
mechanical problems.

Good Luck!