[TDF9]

Just bought a 2008 328xit with 135k mikes - and A/C not blowing cold.
Guage showed low refrigerant, so I added some... it rose and immediately went back to zero. So I figure big leak somewhere.
Reading up, I gather pipe on passenger side frame rail is a common fail point, and found this a pile of goo (A/C system oil?) there (will attach pic).
Does this look like a sign of pipe failure?
How tough to replace this part? Figure I might do the replacement and then take it to a shop to evacuate the system and recharge.
I appreciate all advice, especially more experienced peeps commenting on the pix and likelihoodthey show pipe failure.. Thx!

[whyzee125]

Yup that’s your problem. I remember reading about one of these hoses before and I think they said it’s a bit of a pain but certainly better than the evaporator

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by TDF9

... 2008 328xit...A/C not blowing cold.
Guage showed low refrigerant, so I added some... it rose and immediately went back to zero. So I figure big leak somewhere...

Your photos show Green UV Dye on either side of Refrigerant Pressure sensor. If the pressure from a 12-Oz. R-134a can goes to 0 in a minute or less, that is a LARGE leak, and your Condenser Desiccant is almost certainly saturated. Your 2008 model SHOULD have a replaceable Dessicant Tube in the Condenser so you don't have to replace entire Condenser.

The leak MAY be a failed Refrigerant Pressure Sensor (shown with Black/Green wire & 2 others). If you cannot determine that the Pressure Sensor or its seal is the leak source, I would devise a way to pressure test the entire High Side Line in area of the Dye, to determine what to replace.

I can't tell from the RealOEM.com diagram linked below WHERE the line begins & ends, at WHAT fittings. The part# for the entire line between Condenser & Evaporator is 64539151734 & here are links to RealOEM, Autohaus, & getbmwpart.com sites:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=64_1431
https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/BM-64539151734
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...es-64539151734

Please let us know what you find, as there aren't many knowledgeable posts re Refrigeration System on Forums.
George

[oVeRdOsE.]

this is the weak spot.

here with our winter, salt and calcium, a/c line always oxidize in that spot.

The wheel well is open directly in front of the line.

Changed mine and block that opening with roofing membrane.

good luck to find one used in good shape, I found 0 in shape on about 15 cars at the salvage yard. Found a summer only part-out.
Dealer prices or brand new is expensive, at least for me, because of shipping cost.

[Cyril Sneer]

I have a leak in that same pipe. Waiting for the (expensive) replacement to arrive. Mechanic thought he'd have to remove the wipers and cowl etc to access where it mounts behind the engine. Researching online I find that people have replaced it themselves, that it's a bit of a pain but totally doable. No DIYs or instructions or anything. Best advice I found was a suggestion to feed the pipe in from the back toward the front (firewall toward radiator).

Question: My 2011 doesn't have the replaceable desiccant pouch (boo!). What are the risks in not replacing the whole condenser, and just doing a thorough vacuuming of the system before recharging?

[oVeRdOsE.]

yes you need to remove the cowl, not that hard and it's quick.

The line can be removed without removing anything else. Fishing it out can be tricky , but doable.

There's no external dryer on e90, this is indeed with the condenser. Most shop will purge the system before refilling, so I wont be that worried about this.
But it's a good practice to use a new condenser. Part is cheap, but this is a huge Time consuming.

While you're there : new oring, new filling valves, new low pressure sensor.

[Cyril Sneer]

Perfect, thank you

[TDF9]

All incredibly helpful answers - thank you, e90 post!

I'll likely try to pipe replacement myself - and the other associated parts - and will update on my progress.

I think I saw the pipe, an OEM brand, on FCP for like $75. Wonder if I had the right one...

[Cyril Sneer]

Originally Posted by TDF9

All incredibly helpful answers - thank you, e90 post!

I'll likely try to pipe replacement myself - and the other associated parts - and will update on my progress.

I think I saw the pipe, an OEM brand, on FCP for like $75. Wonder if I had the right one...

https://www.fcpeuro.com/Parts/?keywords=64539151734

[TDF9]

Originally Posted by Cyril Sneer

https://www.fcpeuro.com/Parts/?keywords=64539151734

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...Qwp9qwSjDfYZeE


Thoughts?

I'd normally be suspicious of such a lower cost part, but I did note that FCP is selling this same brand (4 Seasons) for a different e90 A/C pipe / hose... so sort of taking that as an endorsement that the brand is legit.

[e90yyc]

The genuine part is only $220. That’s not nothing, but it could be worse.

I know it’s just a piece of metal, but personally I’d put the original part in. The AC system is one of the few places on my car where I’d insist on OE or genuine, but that’s just me.

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

The genuine part is only $220. That’s not nothing, but it could be worse.

I know it’s just a piece of metal, but personally I’d put the original part in. The AC system is one of the few places on my car where I’d insist on OE or genuine, but that’s just me.

thats a fair price for a daily clean E90.

on my case, this was a winter beater, in canada we get ripped off with dealer prices or/and shiping/customs rates, add the ''while im there'' and the refill.

you end up around 1000$ cad with labor. And this is a real price, since I just did it on my summer e90.

So yeah, my winter 4k$ beater will remain like so.

[TDF9]

Just circling back to say I did eventually spring for the pipe from bmw and replaced it, along with the dessicant pouch. Fitting it into the expansion valve was the trickiest part. That and a long digression to clean and POR 15 the frame rail under the pipe. Was then able to charge the system at home and it now blows ice cold like 38 degrees at vent ourlet). So first time home AC repair victory!

Side note: I ordered a whole new condenser (behr/ mahle) from FCP, and while it appeared to be the right size, infact was ever so slightly not wide enough to sit well in the driver side plastic holder. So then changed plans to replace dessicated in original condenser.