Refill AC HELP!!! - BMW Forum

Redbullrr · 05-19-2006, 09:22 AM

Hey Everyone,

It's getting hot out here in NY, and I wanted to refill my AC. Rite now no cold air comes out the vents. The compressor and all turns on everything functional. However the Friant (spelling off i know) is empty and I need to refill it. I bought a kit from AutoZone R134A Refrigant and Oil Seal yada yada. It comes with a pressure valve.

I got home all excited ready to get my ac back up and running. There is a AC connector or so I think right next to the Temp Sensor on the radiator (Passenger side of the Engine bay). However the connector does not fit on that.

Has anyone done this before, is there an DIY on this? I have checked the manual, but it really isnt helpful. Please help a brother out here, I would appreciate it. I have a 96 318IS. Thanks for your help!!!

bimmer3214 · 05-19-2006, 10:30 AM

haha yea i need to do this too. its getting super hot in ga. but i have a conv. so im not to worried until junish

Redbullrr · 05-19-2006, 10:31 AM

Come on Guys theres got to be someone out there who has done this.

Hamfisted · 05-19-2006, 11:49 AM

You need to connect to the low pressure side, not the high pressure side. They use a different size fitting for safety purposes. The low pressure fitting is up near the firewall. Follow the larger of the two pipes up to the firewall, you'll see another fitting (larger is low pressure...), probably has a black plastic cap on it. Try that one

. You want 30-35 psi on the low side with the compressor running. For more efficient cooling and cleaner cabin air use the recycle mode on the A/C panel. You're only interested in cooling the cabin air, not bringing in hot outside air to have to cool down. Good luck.

Mike

Redbullrr · 05-19-2006, 01:39 PM

Hamfisted thanks a bunch! I knew there was a problem. Yeah the fitting did not fit next to the radiator, that makes sense the can says WARNING DO NOT CONNECT TO HIGH PRESSURE FITTING. LOL. I did not know were the low pressure one was I assumed that was it. So near the firewall huh?! I'll take a look and let you guys know. Thanks again!

LtcOliverNorth · 05-19-2006, 06:09 PM

Look in the DIY section. There is a writeup with some basic instructions on how to recharge your AC. In fact, there have been multiple threads in the E36 section that have discussed it as well.

Ber · 05-20-2006, 10:28 AM

RedBullrr, how much did the kit cost, The reason I ask is , my car is booked in for an aircon service for Monday morning and its costing me about 152 Euros ($200), just wondering how much I could have saved ...

(

bimmer3214 · 05-20-2006, 10:42 AM

he i just did it myself. 36$ for ez chill recharge kit with a cd that shows you how to do it .. works good so far ...mmm a/c

WarNox · 05-21-2006, 07:02 AM

you dont need some special bmw refil thing do u, it can be any ac refil?

thnx

bimmer3214 · 05-21-2006, 08:44 AM

loook near the passenger side head light and you should see a stciker it will probably say r 134a and thats the type you need.. read this http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/mai...harge-665.html

bitcore · 05-21-2006, 07:27 PM

Its easy as cake, 30$ for a big can at any auto store these days.
Yes, the valve near the firewall, you may need to move a few wires over to connect the valve.
Don't go over 45 PSI, or your AC will not work as well and your system can be damaged. IE: Replacement parts = $$$

To CORRECTLY do it, you need to do a leak test to see if your system has a leak, if not: evacuate the lines with a vacume pump, fill to a specific, low, PSI with oil, run the AC for like an hour, and then fill with refridgerant.
If you have a leak, you oughta take it to a shop unless you really know what your doing - and shouldn't be reading this advice anyways.

I didn't do that, I just filled mine back up with one of those kits. Not quite as cold as a properly done job but it works none-the less.

Ber · 05-22-2006, 07:32 AM

I have got to start checking these things out before I go to the local BMW stealer ... Oh well I'll know for next time ..

Ber · 05-22-2006, 07:35 AM

(P.S. For those that don't know BMW Stealer is a derogatory term for a BMW dealer)

Wouldn't want to be accused of anything untoward

WarNox · 05-22-2006, 07:52 AM

yes the stealership is pretty expenise at some things but little things that are hard to get elsewhere they dont charge too much for.

eg. those annoying little clips that hold the inner door trim in and always snap.
i got 10 today to last me a while, and each one is about $0.36usd :d not bad...

325isBaby · 05-22-2006, 05:01 PM

don't buy those self charge kits you can over fill the system and then it won't cool properly anyway....call your local independant shops to see if they do A/C recharging (you will have to know if you have a R12 or R-134a system to get proper pricing)