Cool air thru driver side, warm thru passenger side Vents
 

my latest episode with my 2002 X5 3.0

any ideas? also the rear blower makes a lot of noise but it is not pushing out cool air either.

thanks in advance

That is usually caused by a low refridgerant charge. Odds are you have a small leak somewhere (hopefully not the evaporator). I'd have a shop with a recovery/recycler machine recover what is in there to measure the amount and see how low it is and then charge it back to the proper level for a quick function check and to sniff out the leak.

Don't think I've ever had the refrigerant refilled. After how many years woudl you have to refill? also is it typically easy to find the leak if there is one? thanks for your quick response.

so I took one of the valve caps off (the top one - there are 2 on the left if you are facing the engine) and I could hear a hissing noise. Is that normal? If I put the cap back on I do not hear any hissing.

I am getting a can of refrigerant and going to refill it today.

all a/c system leaks overtime. look at the a/c lines for build up of dirt, this normally indicates an a/c leak of oil and overtime dirt collects on to it.

The valves are not supposed to be leaking when you pull the caps off. Spray the valve with some soap water to see if it is bubbling. In that is the case you should have a shop recover the remaining amount from the system, replace the valves, vacuum the system for 30 minutes then charge to the proper level. It is near impossible to get the correct amount of refrigerant in there as the whole system only holds 0.98 lbs of 134a and doesn't cool properly with too much or too little of it.

it was the PRESSURE HOSE ASSY COMPRESSOR-CONDENSER that was leaking, it didn't hold the refrigerant charge and I culd see that it was leaking through the top part. Took it to the mechanic, had them replace part, vacuum, check for leaks, fill with refrigerant and all is working as before - freezing cold a/c ($400+ though steep is worth for the hot summer months)

Sit in the middle. Problem solved. Zero cost.

Meister, i don't think we are into having the gear shift up in our XXXholes. are you into that??

I was referring to the rear vent. and you're welcome, again.