01' X5 4.4i problems
 

Hello all,

let me start off by saying that I love this site, BMW's rock. I have been having a problem with my ac recently, and now that the summer has started it could not have picked a better time to. First: when I turn the ac on my X, at first I hear a slow hiss coming from the vents and as I turn up the speed the hiss becomes louder. now is this because I need to recharge my ac or am I having another problem. I really do not want to take to the stealer if i dont have to so I am trying to find a solution to this problem. anyone?

Does the "hiss" start and stop as the a/c compressor cycles?
If so there is a good chance your X is low on freon.

very typical a/c problem is the final stage resistor, which (supposedly) keeps feeding electrical power to the a/c fan even when turned off - a search here of "a/c problems" or the DIY area may pop up some threads that will help you solve your problem

A typical behavior of a failing final stage resistor is when the fan starts working erratically like suddenly stop blowing or start blowing at max for no reason. A hiss sound could be related to low freon.

Birdman, yes the hiss starts and stops when the car cycles, but it's more predominant when the ac is started. Flyboy, I noticed that the outside fan in front of the radiator does not come on when I turn the ac on or turn it off. I do not know if this has something to do with the problem. I recently came from walmart and purchased my own recharge kit, do I just plug and play has anyone come accross any problems doing this and is there a meter to know if you are low in freon. Thanks guys this is why I love this place.

Sounds like low freon to me.
The electric fan in front of the radiator should run with the a/c. Get this fixed as fast as you can. I didn't realize my 528's electric fan was not working, lost freon due to the subsequent high pressure in the freon circuit and lunched the compressor $$$$. Freon contains lubricating oil for the compressor.

yeah sounds like it to me too. does anyone happen to know which side is the low and which is the high on the ac lines. I have one near the radiator and one further back. I also have to replace the service ports of both lines to conform to the R-134a is this an easy job? I have two ports that came with the kits I bought. has anyone ran into any problems changing these?