a/c problem

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Inferno
Joined: Sun 30 Sep, 2012 07:35
Posts: 277

  Z3 roadster 1.8
Location: Athens

a/c problem

Post by Inferno »

until yesterday a/c was working perfectly except that i was hearing a slight strange noise from the engine area when i had it on for the last week.
Today it was not working at all. by that i mean that when i press the a/c button, i can hear the compressor turn on, rpms get slight up but it doesn't blow cool air. After 1 min of working iit starts a loud strange grinding noise from the compressor (most likely). keep in mind that i replaced a/c fluid and a/c radiator 10 months ago.

any clues?
Mike Fishwick
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
Posts: 2093

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Daglan, France

Re: a/c problem

Post by Mike Fishwick »

Try looking at the compressor - does it rotate? Perhaps the clutch is slipping and not transmitting the drive from the pulley.

Is the tensioner pulley bearing worn out, which would leave the belt slack, and failing to drive correctly?

Are the steel pipes rusted badly, and perhaps leaking?

'Replaced the A/C fluid?' It should be gas! In any case, was the compressor oil replaced at the same time?
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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Inferno
Joined: Sun 30 Sep, 2012 07:35
Posts: 277

  Z3 roadster 1.8
Location: Athens

Re: a/c problem

Post by Inferno »

check this video http://youtu.be/fFEraAiDTWw tha is the sound i hear, BUT the belt is not stuck. is it possible that a damaged pulley can have as a result a/c not blowing cool air?

i will check everything you mentioned and i will come back
by a/c fluid i meant gas :p
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: a/c problem

Post by Southernboy »

The fact that there is no cold air, points to a faulty compressor pump. It's very unlikely that the drive belt would be responsible. Only other item to check is the belt tensioner. If that isn't functioning, the belt may well slip. Also the tensioner could make a similar noise as it also has a rotating wheel / pulley. The video posted in the link actually shows the "adjustment pulley" / tensioner, not the compreessor.
Try a Meyle stockist for the part if needed. They are as good and somewhat cheaper than BMW.
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Inferno
Joined: Sun 30 Sep, 2012 07:35
Posts: 277

  Z3 roadster 1.8
Location: Athens

Re: a/c problem

Post by Inferno »

I did another check last night, this time i didn't hear that loud grinding noise, the compressor clutch works fine, the belt seems to work fine, it just doesn't blow cool air, maybe it has (again) a circuit leak somewhere.. it's just frustrating, EVERY year, at summer my a/c has somekind of problem.
gookah
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Joined: Thu 07 Aug, 2008 09:51
Posts: 2737

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: a/c problem

Post by gookah »

Inferno wrote: it's just frustrating, EVERY year, at summer my a/c has somekind of problem.
Too late i know, but I believe that a/c should not just be used in summer only.
It is not just for cooling, as some people will only believe, it will also work with the heater, after all it 'conditions the air' ..... it dries it out as well which is great for demisting steamed up windows and keeping them clear.
Leaving it off for months is asking for problems when it comes to be used for the first time. Keep it in use regularly all year round.
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Inferno
Joined: Sun 30 Sep, 2012 07:35
Posts: 277

  Z3 roadster 1.8
Location: Athens

Re: a/c problem

Post by Inferno »

But i do! I use it twice a month all year long exactly for what you say.
Mugs
Joined: Wed 07 Aug, 2013 01:26
Posts: 341

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: a/c problem

Post by Mugs »

have it filled at an air con place as they put UV dye in the system then they can see if it has a leak with a UV lamp.
if it has gone that quick then it is likely a leak has caused most of the gas to
i've just had mine in for a refill and they found a leaking pipe which i have now replaced and had it refilled. before they found the leak, my compressor was still cutting in but i had no cold air.
siwilson
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 09:54
Posts: 790

  M roadster S54
Location: Horley

Re: a/c problem

Post by siwilson »

Does the electric pusher fan come on?

When this fails the system will stop working even if the compressor is engaged. Happened on my E39
2001 M roadster S54 Laguna Seca Blue
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Inferno
Joined: Sun 30 Sep, 2012 07:35
Posts: 277

  Z3 roadster 1.8
Location: Athens

Re: a/c problem

Post by Inferno »

Yeap, It's working!
siwilson
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 09:54
Posts: 790

  M roadster S54
Location: Horley

Re: a/c problem

Post by siwilson »

In that case your out of gas. There are no moving parts other than the compressor and fan. Could just be loss of gas over time or a bigger leak.

The A/C in my M is not what it once was. Still working, but only just. I think that's probably due a recharge since the car is now 14 years old.

Best of luck!
2001 M roadster S54 Laguna Seca Blue
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Inferno
Joined: Sun 30 Sep, 2012 07:35
Posts: 277

  Z3 roadster 1.8
Location: Athens

Re: a/c problem

Post by Inferno »

I just returned from the mechanic, it was gas-empty, we refilled it and it works perfect except it does a VERY loud noise now, i can even hear it inside the cabin while i drive, like a whistle a compressor-powered car does. He thinks that the compressor slowly dies...
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Inferno
Joined: Sun 30 Sep, 2012 07:35
Posts: 277

  Z3 roadster 1.8
Location: Athens

Re: a/c problem

Post by Inferno »

Once again i was right, and the mechanic didn't listen to me 4 days ago when he refilled it with ac gas, he didn't add oil. I went again today and he refilled it this time adding oil, noise it's vanished now and i paid twice for the same job.
Mike Fishwick
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
Posts: 2093

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Daglan, France

Re: a/c problem

Post by Mike Fishwick »

I bet he did not change the filter/drier element either - by the time you add that - and recharging the gas yet again, it makes a BMW dealer A/C service start to look very reasonable!
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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