skyjawa Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 Thinking mine might need a regas. I’ve no idea when it was last done by the previous owner and now the weather is a bit warmer it feels cool coming out of the vents, but not cold, cant say I really noticed last summer…. how are your guys cars, is the air that comes out decently cold or just cool too? I guess given the age it’s the cheaper R134a gas needed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCB Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 Similar experience here. One hot day, return to car at end of day and it takes an age to cool down. Been looking at manual cans with R134a to recharge the system which still seems to deliver cold air but its not as good as my wife's Leaf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyjawa Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 I played a little this morning on the drive, and compared to the missus 2019 Tiguan which has had its Air Con serviced as per VW schedule. Hers is a touch cooler. Mine is still cold enough to make my hands cold so seems to be fine. What I did note is the rear seems to be coldest, then the drivers side almost as cold, but the front passenger side (side vent and half of the middle vent) is noticably not as cool as the other zones. Anyway - don't deem a regas necessary just yet! I'll wait until the hotter weather arrives and see if its not up to it and if so sort then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan-uk Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 Mine was regassed and is leak free just doesn’t feel as icy as the e39 or e46. Think it might just be how they are? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan-uk Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 Perhaps a function that it’s climate control so maybe doesn’t need icy blasts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyjawa Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Yeah could be - I did do my testing with both cars set to max AC just to feel each ones maximum cooling. In normal AC/climate it will vary in order to keep set temp, so not as simple as cars without climate and AC is either on or off 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 On the old forum there was considerable posts about this. There was as some say a silent recall on the condensers. My dads F10 got done and so did mine under warranty. If you complained to the dealer that your air con wasn't cold enough they would whip in a new condenser. You need to take the front cross brace off... ...to get to the condenser to replace it and when you buy replacement stretch bolts, the one I'm pointing too... ...the parts receipt actually call them air conditioning bolts as that's why they are needed! It is a serviceable thing so a periodic recharge with the correct gas and oil will keep things working. Also using it regularly will help keep everything lubricated and stop the seals drying out. My A/C is on all the time all year round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyjawa Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Yeah I too have it always on, only started looking at it as the wife borrowed my car the other day and moaned it wasn’t cold lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyAndy Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 (edited) The Aircon fraternity refer the the DIY things as 'DIY Death Cans'... if your aircon isn't warm enough the system should be properly checked before being refilled with the correct charge of gas and oil. Those cans can end up overpressuring a system, leaking gas onto the user (nasty injuries), discharging gas into the atmosphere (offence) or whatever else. Not worth the risk. When I did both of my Senators I had the local guy degas the system, then I replaced the condensers (very common they leak along lower edge due to road debris damage) then I had the guy pressure/vacuum test my work before refilling. Not expensive and you know it's all good. Edited May 25 by HandyAndy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bee Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 Hi Andrew/all I have booked mine in for Monday at a garage to undertake a leak check. I had it re-gassed a couple of months ago (because of no air-con!). It was diagnosed as 'empty' but when re-gassed as holding pressure (clearly in real time) but the aircon now, following a trip at the weekend, doesn't work... I hope that the leak diagnosis will pin-point where the leak is. The reference to historic discussions on this suggest that there could be useful info on how to replace leaking parts, eg condenser or pipe-work. Please do you have a link or advice on how to do this? Thanks in advance David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan-uk Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 As an FYI I have a denso condenser sitting in the garage that could be available… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 14 minutes ago, duncan-uk said: As an FYI I have a denso condenser sitting in the garage that could be available… I thought that was coming my way….. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan-uk Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 It can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyjawa Posted June 2 Author Share Posted June 2 Out today and for sure it’s cool but not cold. Passenger side was not really cool at all. Seems this is a classic low refridgerant/pressure issue and BMW HVAC systems will prioritise driver side in this scenario. Having had the car just over a year I don’t know when it was last done. Time to book in for a recharge! (And hope there’s no leak!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyjawa Posted June 4 Author Share Posted June 4 Booked in for recharge and leak test on Monday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullinsj08 Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 I had mine re-gassed yesterday. I previously had it done in April 2021 when I got the car. The effect of low gas was the same as skyjawa describes above. Cue complaints from the family that it's too cold 🤭 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 9 hours ago, mullinsj08 said: Cue complaints from the family that it's too cold 🤭 Tell them they can f$%£ing walk then. 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyjawa Posted June 10 Author Share Posted June 10 Car in today. Pressure test all ok, yay! System recharged and it’s now properly cold. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted June 10 Share Posted June 10 Nice, I really should get mine recharged. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan-uk Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 Checked mine tonight and with outside temp 21.5c I was getting a solid 4c at the vents on max. So that’s working then as I suspect it’s climate control so holding the temp you chose yet never feels icy like e39. 🤷♂️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan-uk Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 So looks like I have a Denso condenser for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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