Can you rephrase the question?
Not sure what you are asking ...
Not sure what you are asking ...
A/C question
Does the air conditioner (cold) drains the coolant on e46, or no?
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Does the air conditioner use R134a exclusively or does it use coolant as well? Better?
The engine coolant is separate from the AC system.Does the air conditioner use R134a exclusively or does it use coolant as well?
There is refrigerant and an oil in the AC system for compressor lubrication.
Auto AC is one thing for which I usually use a professional technician. You need to have proper gauges and an understanding of system operation.
Be careful. I had an alleged German car specialist tell me I needed the condenser and compressor replaced to the tune of $5.3K. Took it to another shop that actually found the leaks in the evaporator core: $1.8K to replace. Still a lot of money, but a lot better than $5.3K plus whatever they would have charged me for the evaporator core when they suddenly found "additional " leaks.
There is how much full ac rehaul costs (includes all necessary parts except ac hoses. Prices are for duplicate parts - proven by years of experience. Brands can differ. I would not save on o-rings, as BMW ones made in exact sizes and it is quite difficult to find replacements in very same dimensions. Compressor as the most expensive part of all work is Chinese, cannot say what brand but has good reputation and works just fine)Be careful. I had an alleged German car specialist tell me I needed the condenser and compressor replaced to the tune of $5.3K. Took it to another shop that actually found the leaks in the evaporator core: $1.8K to replace. Still a lot of money, but a lot better than $5.3K plus whatever they would have charged me for the evaporator core when they suddenly found "additional " leaks.
If you need to replace evaporator only (most leaks come from there) then you need dryer and valve only)
and a day of your time.
Evaporator Behr - 50 USD
expantion valve - 30 USD
Dryer - 40 USD
Compressor - 300 USD
Condencer Nissen-100 USD
o-rings assorted - 50 USD
Coolant - 30 USD
Vacuuming+ refrigerant recharge - 70 USD
All work can be done as DIY, need very basic set of wrenches and about 2 days ( 6-10 hours in total). Longest work is to replace evaporator as it requires dashboard removal. Lots of DIY videos on youtube.
I HATE removing the dashboard. Ours are so arfing easy to destroy, too...
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Have a leak down test done by a well reviewed garage. 9 times out of 10 it's the condenser rad that sits infront of the engines radiator that leaks, the dryer, the compressor or O rings at the joints. The expansion valve and evaporator are usually the least likely culprit to go wrong.
Contrary, evaporator is 9 out of 10. Could explain i by using ac 365 days a year. That is Dubai statistics.
I did replace mine 6 times trough life on my car.
Condenser is really rare case. Compressor pretty much never leaks, and dryer simply cannot leak at all as it is sealed container. Only leak around it could be with bad o-rings. O-rings could, but it usually caused by using non-bmw ones.
I did replace mine 6 times trough life on my car.
Condenser is really rare case. Compressor pretty much never leaks, and dryer simply cannot leak at all as it is sealed container. Only leak around it could be with bad o-rings. O-rings could, but it usually caused by using non-bmw ones.
It is not as bad as it seems at first time))) It is actually about an hour to remove it. Mine is convertible so I pass pillar airbags stage saving probably 30 minI HATE removing the dashboard. Ours are so arfing easy to destroy, too...
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While the drier may not often leak, it is a good idea to replace it if the system is being left open for any extended period of time. There is a desiccant inside it that removes moisture and can become saturated lowering its effectiveness. Excess moisture inside the system can cause internal damage to the components of the system.Contrary, evaporator is 9 out of 10. Could explain i by using ac 365 days a year. That is Dubai statistics.
I did replace mine 6 times trough life on my car.
Condenser is really rare case. Dryer pretty much never and neither compressor. O-rings could, but it usually caused by using non-bmw ones.
It is not just good idea, it is absolutely vital to replace dryer whenever you open your system and leave it open for more than an hour or so. Apart from removing moisture it also works like a filter.While the drier may not often leak, it is a good idea to replace it if the system is being left open for any extended period of time. There is a desiccant inside it that removes moisture and can become saturated lowering its effectiveness. Excess moisture inside the system can cause internal damage to the components of the system.
When you said "coolant", you mean "refrigerant", correct?
Both. I was wondering if AC system uses HOAT coolant liquid from the radiator hose. Turns out I was wrong and the correct terminology is refrigerant.When you said "coolant", you mean "refrigerant", correct?
No AC doesn't consume refrigerant, nor any other liquids. It is closed contour and as long as it doesn't leak it could stay in perfect working condition for ages.
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