ac is not that cold???

[1smile]

Aghhhh. My air conditioning is not that cold. I have not been in another TI, so I don't know have anything to base it on. The air is blowing, but the car does not seem to cool down. Some things that factor are that my car is black, has no tint, and possibly freon is in need of a recharge. I called a mechanic and was quoted 150 smacks for a freon recharge.

Is there anyone out there that had similiar issues or had to remedy with this situation?

Thank you.

98 318ti, 28k

[1996 328ti]

First thing to do is be sure your condensor is clean. It's in front of the radiator.

Remove the plastic cover and blow with compressed air. Then clean with water.

I was low on freon on my 96. The freon was probably from 97. But the biggest problem was a filthy condensor coil. That's the first step and it doesn't cost anything.

I think it should be blowing 40F with the recirc ON.

[J!m]

I was never happy with the A/C tempreature since new. The new "freon" they use does not seem to work as well as the old ozone-depleting stuff. I made the dealer re-charge it for me, and check for leaks. There was no improvement.

One thing to watch for is the evaporator will freeze solid, and the air flow will drop to ZERO when it's REALLY humid out. I learned this the hard way.

Once it does freeze up, turn off the compressor and just let the fan run. That will thaw it out. You will know once it's thawed as it spits water in your face!!

Turn off the fan for a few minutes, and let it drain away. Then fire it up again and do it all over again!

The re-circulate switch does seem to help keep it from freezing-up (and lower the cabin temperature). I will now run the compressor and recirculate for a while, then switch off the recirculate to get some fresh air. Once it starts blowing "fog", I turn the recirclate back on again. (don't run too long with the recirculate on, as there is very low air exchange) This is from the manual. I don't know how "tight" the car really is...

This also helps eliminate boredom while stuck it traffic...

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"Speed's just a question of money. How fast you 'wanna go?"

[J!m]

I was never happy with the A/C tempreature since new. The new "freon" they use does not seem to work as well as the old ozone-depleting stuff. I made the dealer re-charge it for me, and check for leaks. There was no improvement.

One thing to watch for is the evaporator will freeze solid, and the air flow will drop to ZERO when it's REALLY humid out. I learned this the hard way.

Once it does freeze up, turn off the compressor and just let the fan run. That will thaw it out. You will know once it's thawed as it spits water in your face!!

Turn off the fan for a few minutes, and let it drain away. Then fire it up again and do it all over again!

The re-circulate switch does seem to help keep it from freezing-up (and lower the cabin temperature). I will now run the compressor and recirculate for a while, then switch off the recirculate to get some fresh air. Once it starts blowing "fog", I turn the recirclate back on again. (don't run too long with the recirculate on, as there is very low air exchange) This is from the manual. I don't know how "tight" the car really is...

This also helps eliminate boredom while stuck it traffic...

------------------
"Speed's just a question of money. How fast you 'wanna go?"

[1smile]

I took my car in for servicing. BMW says it is at the correct temp. and air flow. A BMW specialist told me to replace the rectangular air/pollen filter. Can it be done by a novice?

[myred318i]

He's talking about your microfilter. Yes - you can do it yourself. Some people think it's a pain to do, but its really not too bad. You have to remove the glove box (a few phillips screws), the unfasten an electronic module behind the glovebox (again a few phillips screws) push it aside and reach way back in there. It's basically straight behind the radio, there's a handle that you turn to release the filter. Pull it out, then take your new one and "break" it in half (trust me, there are notches molded into the filter's frame to do this)and slide it in. Button everything up in reverse. There are probably better detailed writeups (might try bimmerforums.com) and the Bentley's repair manual has a couple of decent pictures, but it's not that tough.

The filter is about $20 bucks, and judging from the amount of crap on my old one, it definitely performs its job!!

My ac works pretty good and my car is a '95 with no known ac repairs ever. Oddly enough, it works better if I DON'T use the recirc. button, and I usually kick the fan up to "2" just to push the air around good.

Good Luck!!

[bbnmcas]

Do you have a part number for that filter?

[J!m]

Uhhh...That does not sound right to me.

I just did my filters in my '98 while my motor was out. Why? because you have to get the filters out from the engine compartment!

I think the instructions above are for the 318, and not for the ti. I do not see how you can get both filters out from inside the car, if you can even get one of them!

You need to remove the plastic grille in the center of the cowl area. Then remove the two screws that hold the electrical tray (that big plastic thig under the cowl, you'll know what I mean when you get in there) DON'T LOOSE THE SCREWS!!!!! IF THEY FALL DOWN INSIDE, YOU MAY NEVER GET THEM OUT!!!!
Then remove the metal cowl itself. Now remove the plastic sheet (it's thin) that sits in there. Now you will see two gray, nasty looking air filters. Carefully remove them and chuck them in the weeds. Install new filters. They have small ridges in each edge to hold them in. Be sure they are seated properly, and "click", or they will pop out, and you DON'T want to come back here again for a while...

Put it all back together.

This is shown in the Haynes manual, and this is how I did it.

It IS a bitch. You heard right. The filters come two in a pack, so don't make the mistake I did and order two (unless you don't mind having a spare set hanging around)...

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"Speed's just a question of money. How fast you 'wanna go?"

[1996 328ti]

The microfilters are accessed near the firewall, not from the glove box.

http://www.happytogether.com/318ti/notebook/microfilter/index.html

[thekinwc]

how come these guys posted in 2002 but joined in 2003??? My friggin evaporator is frakkin leaking. Wouldn't it be easier to replace the flipping car??