Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
zero

air conditioning expert

Recommended Posts

My wifes e46 320i has had air conditioning problems for some time and I'm finally in a position to get it diagnosed.

It is leaking gas somewhere I'm pretty sure as I had it refilled and it worked for a while then got weaker and weaker and then stopped putting out cold air again.

Can anyone recommend a person or company who will identify the fault?

I have spare parts to fix it, but not the diagnosing equipment to find the fault. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Subscribed.

Keep us posted with developments Nathan. I'm in a similar boat.

Edited by M3AN

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Anyone?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ominous silence usually means "use the search function"...

Answered the same question of M3AN's with COOLCAR not so long ago.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Having trouble with the search.

 

I did try to search, cause i remember a thread about it but the new software wont let me find old threads.:huh:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bellars Motor Works can do aircon work. They fixed it in my old E46 before.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Booked in at coolcar for Monday so I will let everyone know of my experience.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I hope it's Peter @ Ryan Place Manukau Or Dave on The Shore. The only two I would trust / use

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Peter at Manukau.:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So I went to Peter at Coolcar in Manukau and he diagnosed a faulty evaporator pretty quickly.

Unfortunately the whole dash has to come out which makes it an expensive job at around $2K, so I will be doing it myself before summer.

 

While I'm in there Peter recommended doing the expansion valve and new o-rings which makes complete sense.

Is there any other things that would be wise to replace while I have the dash out? I've got a new hedgehog that I will swap in as they fail often. Should I put a new heater core in too, or are they pretty reliable?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do the heater core. It's not uncommon for them to fail.

Price is something over $200 from a BMW dealer. I'm sure they can be had cheaper elsewhere.

I've got a write up on removing the dash somewhere. I'll be referring to it when I do our 320d (when it stops raining long enough!) and will post on my thread.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok, will replace heater core at the same time.

I would hate to have to do it all over again in 6months.

 

What about 5 and 6 here or is that being pedantic;

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=ET16-EUR-10-2002-E46-BMW-320i&diagId=64_0817

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

May as well, while you're in there.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thought I better update this thread.

I ripped the dash out and installed a new evaporator and valve, a new heater core, a new drying container, and every single seal and oring in the whole system.

While I was in there I even removed the front carpet and cleaned that. 

It was scary having the whole dash out but I took my time and everything went back together fine.

On Friday I go back to coolcar to have the system refilled, so fingers crossed.

  • Like 3

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, got back from getting the aircon re-gassed, and it all works perfectly!

Thats another big job crossed off the list.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
24 minutes ago, Massnz said:

What did it set you back in the end? 

Including parts and refilling, maybe around $600 to $700?

I replaced everything though, including all filters, seals, orings and belts.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
Sign in to follow this  

×
×
  • Create New...