Over-charged air conditioning?

rlmesq · 09-26-2017, 03:31 PM

Has anybody heard of this issue?

My 2018 440i was in the shop overnight, less than three months after delivery, because the air conditioning suddenly stopped working. The blower works and the lights all come on, but it blows warm air.

Until then, it performed like a champ. It's been over 100° F almost every day here in Northern California since the day I got the car, and I even drove to Palm Springs a few weeks ago. Ironically, when it stopped working late last week, it was one of the coolest days since I got the car, with a high around 80°.

The dealer says the AC was overcharged, either at the factory or the port. (There has been no service whatsoever to the car since I picked it up.) They've replaced the refrigerant and are keeping the car until close of business to make sure it works. They're also checking with BMW to see if there are any known issues or TSBs.

Anybody have a similar experience?

swreefkeeper · 09-26-2017, 03:40 PM

I have not had this exact issue, but while I was at the dealer a month ago I heard a SA talking to another customer about a known TSB for the AC. Im giving a basic summery of what I heard so I may be missing some details but it seemed like a sensor was thinking it was running cooler than it was and thus thought the system froze up and stops blowing cold. I might be a little off as it was not me having the problem.

Goodluck!

Billfitz · 09-26-2017, 03:51 PM

Over charging is possible, and it can damage the compressor. Why they'd replace the refrigerant I can't say, as all they'd have to do is bleed off the excess, just like releasing air from a tire.

rlmesq · 09-26-2017, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Over charging is possible, and it can damage the compressor. Why they'd replace the refrigerant I can't say, as all they'd have to do is bleed off the excess, just like releasing air from a tire.

I'm actually not sure if they replaced the coolant or just released some. I've been engaged in a jury trial so my wife took the car and relayed the information.

vsasesse · 09-27-2017, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Over charging is possible, and it can damage the compressor. Why they'd replace the refrigerant I can't say, as all they'd have to do is bleed off the excess, just like releasing air from a tire.

Please don't "bleed" refrigerant like air out of a tire. We don't need HFC's in the atmosphere.

Blubaron79 · 09-27-2017, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swreefkeeper

I have not had this exact issue, but while I was at the dealer a month ago I heard a SA talking to another customer about a known TSB for the AC. Im giving a basic summery of what I heard so I may be missing some details but it seemed like a sensor was thinking it was running cooler than it was and thus thought the system froze up and stops blowing cold. I might be a little off as it was not me having the problem.

Goodluck!

I had this same problem. I think it?s different than the OP?s, but mine was just a quick reprogram.

Blubaron79 · 09-27-2017, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsasesse

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Over charging is possible, and it can damage the compressor. Why they'd replace the refrigerant I can't say, as all they'd have to do is bleed off the excess, just like releasing air from a tire.

Please don't "bleed" refrigerant like air out of a tire. We don't need HFC's in the atmosphere.

Cars do not use HFC?s anymore...

rlmesq · 09-28-2017, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsasesse

Please don't "bleed" refrigerant like air out of a tire. We don't need HFC's in the atmosphere.

I doubt that a dealership in California, which has extremely strict environmental laws, would deliberately release greenhouse gasses.

Unfortunately, this turned out not to be a warranty claim. It seems a small piece of flying road debris made its way through the grill and impacted the air conditioning radiator, cracking it. That, in turn, caused the coolant to escape (so I guess it did "bleed" into the atmosphere), which, in turn, caused the AC pump to burn up.

Fortunately, my insurance will pick up the bill, minus the deductible.

Mashman · 09-28-2017, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsasesse

Please don't "bleed" refrigerant like air out of a tire. We don't need HFC's in the atmosphere.

They don't 'bleed' refrigerant, they evacuate it into a sealed container, pull vacuum on the A.C. system, and then charge the system with the correct number of ounces of refrigerant.

rak299 · 09-29-2017, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Cars do not use HFC?s anymore...

Cars still use HFCs. HFCs replaced CFCs. There are talks about replacing the current HFC (I think HFC-134a) with some other stuff.

Blubaron79 · 09-29-2017, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rak299

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Cars do not use HFC?s anymore...

Cars still use HFCs. HFCs replaced CFCs. There are talks about replacing the current HFC (I think HFC-134a) with some other stuff.

My bad

HaloEyes · 10-03-2017, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Quote:

Originally Posted by swreefkeeper

I have not had this exact issue, but while I was at the dealer a month ago I heard a SA talking to another customer about a known TSB for the AC. Im giving a basic summery of what I heard so I may be missing some details but it seemed like a sensor was thinking it was running cooler than it was and thus thought the system froze up and stops blowing cold. I might be a little off as it was not me having the problem.

Goodluck!

I had this same problem. I think it?s different than the OP?s, but mine was just a quick reprogram.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsasesse

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Over charging is possible, and it can damage the compressor. Why they'd replace the refrigerant I can't say, as all they'd have to do is bleed off the excess, just like releasing air from a tire.

Please don't "bleed" refrigerant like air out of a tire. We don't need HFC's in the atmosphere.

Cars do not use HFC?s anymore...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Quote:

Originally Posted by swreefkeeper

I have not had this exact issue, but while I was at the dealer a month ago I heard a SA talking to another customer about a known TSB for the AC. Im giving a basic summery of what I heard so I may be missing some details but it seemed like a sensor was thinking it was running cooler than it was and thus thought the system froze up and stops blowing cold. I might be a little off as it was not me having the problem.

Goodluck!

I had this same problem. I think it?s different than the OP?s, but mine was just a quick reprogram.

I'm having the same issue as op, did BMW tell you as to what happened and why it was just a reprogram?

Blubaron79 · 10-03-2017, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaloEyes

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Quote:

Originally Posted by swreefkeeper

I have not had this exact issue, but while I was at the dealer a month ago I heard a SA talking to another customer about a known TSB for the AC. Im giving a basic summery of what I heard so I may be missing some details but it seemed like a sensor was thinking it was running cooler than it was and thus thought the system froze up and stops blowing cold. I might be a little off as it was not me having the problem.

Goodluck!

I had this same problem. I think it?s different than the OP?s, but mine was just a quick reprogram.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsasesse

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Over charging is possible, and it can damage the compressor. Why they'd replace the refrigerant I can't say, as all they'd have to do is bleed off the excess, just like releasing air from a tire.

Please don't "bleed" refrigerant like air out of a tire. We don't need HFC's in the atmosphere.

Cars do not use HFC?s anymore...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Quote:

Originally Posted by swreefkeeper

I have not had this exact issue, but while I was at the dealer a month ago I heard a SA talking to another customer about a known TSB for the AC. Im giving a basic summery of what I heard so I may be missing some details but it seemed like a sensor was thinking it was running cooler than it was and thus thought the system froze up and stops blowing cold. I might be a little off as it was not me having the problem.

Goodluck!

I had this same problem. I think it?s different than the OP?s, but mine was just a quick reprogram.

I'm having the same issue as op, did BMW tell you as to what happened and why it was just a reprogram?

They said it was a known error in 2015?s. I guess there was service bulletin for it.

rlmesq · 10-06-2017, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaloEyes

I'm having the same issue as op, did BMW tell you as to what happened and why it was just a reprogram?

OP found it was physical damage. Look a couple of posts above.

09-26-2017, 03:31 PM	#1
rlmesq Lieutenant Colonel 1039 Rep 1,509 Posts Drives: 2018 440i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Chico, CA iTrader: (0)	Over-charged air conditioning? Has anybody heard of this issue? My 2018 440i was in the shop overnight, less than three months after delivery, because the air conditioning suddenly stopped working. The blower works and the lights all come on, but it blows warm air. Until then, it performed like a champ. It's been over 100° F almost every day here in Northern California since the day I got the car, and I even drove to Palm Springs a few weeks ago. Ironically, when it stopped working late last week, it was one of the coolest days since I got the car, with a high around 80°. The dealer says the AC was overcharged, either at the factory or the port. (There has been no service whatsoever to the car since I picked it up.) They've replaced the refrigerant and are keeping the car until close of business to make sure it works. They're also checking with BMW to see if there are any known issues or TSBs. Anybody have a similar experience?
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09-26-2017, 03:40 PM	#2
swreefkeeper Lieutenant 206 Rep 499 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (11) Garage List 2021 X3 M40i [10.00]	I have not had this exact issue, but while I was at the dealer a month ago I heard a SA talking to another customer about a known TSB for the AC. Im giving a basic summery of what I heard so I may be missing some details but it seemed like a sensor was thinking it was running cooler than it was and thus thought the system froze up and stops blowing cold. I might be a little off as it was not me having the problem. Goodluck! __________________ 2021 G01 X3 M40i Carbon Black Cognac Vernasca Retired: 2013 F30 335i Glacier Silver Metallic Coral Red Dakota Retired: 2011 E90 328i Space Gray Black Dakota
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09-26-2017, 03:51 PM	#3
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8225 Rep 16,060 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Over charging is possible, and it can damage the compressor. Why they'd replace the refrigerant I can't say, as all they'd have to do is bleed off the excess, just like releasing air from a tire.
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