Help! A/C Problems in hot FLORIDA!

[Lajamoto]

Hey all! Coming to my fellow BMW owners and fans for some advise. The dealer can't figure this one out! Hoping I could figure it out and walk into the dealer one day with the answer.

My 2003 325ci (E45) has a really weird A/C issue. It seems to have a mind of its own. When it works it blows cold, but in the past couple years it will stop and start working with no obvious reason.

Just like going to the doctor, my spoiled bimmer always feels better in the waiting room. I can't seem to recreate the problem at the service center and the past 4 times have been sent home with a "could not recreate customer complaint" receipt. I've even talked the shop foreman to take my car for a couple days and he said the a/c is working fine.

Ok, I am not saying my a/c is blowing cool instead of cold. When it doesn't work it has blown up to 92*F (similar to outside temp). So beleive me its not just me being picky.

I have tried turning the air on and off via the fan speed. Turning the compressor on and off with the snowflake button, adjusted the temp, and even turning the engine off then back on. In a previous forum someone suggested it could be the speed compensator. It doesn't matter how fast or slow I am going.

On one of my runs to the Service Center I complained that the engine was making a sort of metalic tubular wirling noise (forgive my words) when the compressor kicked on. They said they replaced a couple parts that happened to have a recall and its definatley decreased but I can still faitly hear it.

They say they've tested the compressor and checked the high and low pressure and all seems ok.

Not sure what else to do, test, or advise them to look at. Could really use some help.

Heck I am even willing to hook up anyone that can solve my issue with a vacation in Orlando and Universal Studios. And its not a scam or timeshare. Just a way of thanking you for solving my problem. No strings.

[witeshark]

Does the car have climate control with separate zones? Just a thought.

[marti5]

Sounds to me like you have an intermitent fault with the compressor, there sometimes & not others,it just so happens when you take it in its running fine.

Also as they have replaced a couple of recall parts,makes me think it is 100% the compressor.

[Lajamoto]

Originally Posted by witeshark

Does the car have climate control with separate zones? Just a thought.

Actually that is funny you mention that. It does have the automatic climate control and although it doesn't have a dual zone (left side, right side). I can manually adjust the temp of the center vents via a dial.

I've been messing with it lately and for some reason the left vents seem cooler than the right vents, only by a couple degrees but noticeable when you put your hand up to it.

Wonder if that has anything to do with it. Although the faulty compressor was my first assumption, the dealer says they've tested it many times and its not that. I also wondered if the clutch on the compressor sticks which would also cause the compressor to work intermitantly. Any way to test this on my own? Or should I go to another mechanic for a second opinion.

[fuzbox]

Is the compressor running when the aircon if blowing warm air? If it is then its a problem with the dump valve. The dump valve discharges the compressed gas into the evaporator. It could be that this valve sticks or the sender that tells it to dump is faulty. Either way a service center is not the plase to get it fixed. Try an aircom specialist.

[Lajamoto]

The compressor does run when the air is blowing hot. This is the first time someone mentions the dump valve. Any specialist you can recommend? or just look for anyone that works with compressors?

[fuzbox]

dont get bogged down with terminology. Your aircon is made of 2 basic parts. The compessor which as you might guess compesses the gas. As you compress the gas the temperature goes up. A fan then blows over the compressed gas container till it cools down. At a given temperature the gas is released into a larger container the evaporator. This is like releasing the compressed gas from your antipersperent which as you know feels very cold on the skin (a lot colder that the can it came from). A fan then blows over the cold gas chamber into your car and hey presto aircon. Your problem is in the control of this mechanism. A sevice center will change your engine oil and blow up your tyres as only they can but. But its an aircon specialist you need. We do have a good mobile aircon specialist in the area but I think Florida is a bit far for him to travel from Manchester (UK). Google it, sure you will find what you need.ps. Is that club class to Orlando? he he he

[Lajamoto]

haha... flights are the only thing not included . Actually I cater to a lot of people from the UK through Virgin. What bugs me about the service center, is i have the full maintenance package with BMW and the service center is supposed to be able to fix all these things. They have done many nice things to compensate for my frustration like replacing my radio just because the off button wasn't working.. when I wasn't even aware. They even replaced all my OEM mats just because one had a stain no charge.

Thanks for the explanation of the A/C system. I had an idea, but you made it clearer. I am going to search for a local specialist and see what they find. Hopefully will get back to the blog soon with a result.

[fuzbox]

If that fails then I can offer you a property swap. You wont need aircon here, just a good heater