64 50 009 Drawing Off, Evacuating And Filling A/C System (R134a)

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WARNING:

Refrigerant circuit is under high pressure!

Repair work may only be carried out on a DEPRESSURIZED refrigerant circuit!

Avoid contact with refrigerant and refrigerant oil.

Follow safety instructions for handling refrigerant R134a . See 64 50... Instructions For Handling Refrigerant R134a and/or 64 50... Safety Instructions For Handling Refrigerant R134A .

Follow safety instructions for handling refrigerant oil . Refer to 64 50... Instructions For Handling Refrigerant Oil (For Refrigerant R134a) .

IMPORTANT:

Risk of damage!

Only BMW-approved R134a refrigerant may be used (refer to HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING -- OPERATING FLUIDS ).

The suction-side filling line of the refrigerant circuit is omitted from the engine versions of model series E9X and E8X. This is replaced by a direction connection on the expansion valve.

Changeover time frame:

From 07/09 - N54
From 08/09 - N43
Until end of 2009 - all other engine versions except N45/N46 and S65

Shown on N54 engine by way of example. Direct connection of filling adapter (1) on the expansion valve is shown.

Fig 1: Identifying Filler Connection Line

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Make sure filling hose (1) is laid without kinks.

NOTE: N52 engine only: On vehicles with hydraulic steering (e.g. AFS) oil reservoir (1) must be detached. Remove oil reservoir for hydraulic steering.

Fig 2: Identifying Fluid Reservoir

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage! Only BMW-approved R134a refrigerant may be used. Restart engine only when the air conditioning system has been correctly filled.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage! Carefully move the climate service station! Comply with the operating instructions and service interval for the A/C service station! Make sure that the hoses of the A/C service station are drained after the drawing off or filling procedure! The climate service station contains highly sensitive components, such as scales. These components will be damaged due to improper handling, such as fast driving over a bump. This will result in a significant reduction of the measuring accuracy when drawing off and filling.

IMPORTANT: The vehicle must be parked on the floor during all drawing off, evacuation and filling procedures! Filling a raised vehicle will result in insufficient filling levels.

NOTE: case of complaints, carry out a heating and air conditioning performance test! If the system fails the test, draw off, evacuate and fill the heating and air conditioning system in accordance with the operating instructions of the relevant service station. Service interval of service station must be adhered to.

Instructions for drawing off A/C system:

To help separation of refrigerant and refrigerant oil, run engine at low speed (800-1200 RPM) and with A/C system turned on for a few minutes.

The limits the entrainment of refrigerant oil while it is drawn off.

Drawn-off refrigerant oil must be changed and reintroduced via the service station.

If at the end of the drawing-off procedure the service station moisture indicator shows that the drawn-off refrigerant is excessively moist, clean the refrigerant in accordance with the service station operating instructions.

Recycling:

Dispose of drawn-off refrigerant oil as hazardous waste.

Observe country-specific waste-disposal regulations.

Instructions for evacuating off A/C system:

The evacuation procedure removes all traces of ambient air, water vapor and any other gases present from the A/C system. This enables subsequent system filling with refrigerant.

A decrease in the vacuum level indicates a leak in the refrigerant circuit . See 64 50... Leak Testing With Ultraviolet Additives (UV Additives) (BMW Leak-Testing Case)

Instructions for filling A/C system:

Before filling with refrigerant, top up the refrigerant oil entrained during drawing off.

Follow instructions for opening and replacing parts in refrigerant circuit! See 64 52... Instructions For Opening And Replacing Parts In Refrigerant Circuit .

Before filling with refrigerant, replace the refrigerant oil entrained during drawing off. Also top up any lost fluid as indicated in the table:

Table 1 indicates the permitted loss of refrigerant after a specific period of time. There is no leak. refrigerant oil may not be topped up.

Table 2 indicates the amount of refrigerant oil must be topped up with an unapproved loss of refrigerant due to a leak after a specific period of time.

Different cases: Loss of refrigerant per Table 1 is not exceeded

Top up lost R134a refrigerant
It is not permitted to top up the refrigerant oil

Loss of refrigerant per Table 1 is exceeded

Top up lost R134a refrigerant
refrigerant oil must be topped up additionally per Table 2

Table 1

Number of years since last filling	0-1	1-2	2-3	3-4	4-5
Permissible loss [g] --> no need to top up refrigerant oil	≤ 30	≤ 60	≤ 90	≤ 120	≤ 150

Table 2

Table 2: Number of years since last filling	R134a loss of coolant [g]	Top up quantity refrigerant oil
0 -1	- <120	0
	120 - 150	10
	>150	20
1 - 2	- <180	0
	180 - 210	10
	>210	20
2 - 3	- <240	0
	240 - 270	10
	>270	20
3 - 4	- <300	0
	300 - 330	10
	>330	20

Depending on the type of component replaced on the A/C system, it may be necessary to top up the refrigerant oil, even if no measurable losses have occurred during drawing off. Read and comply with the A/C system manufacturer's notes in this regard and the operating instructions of the relevant service station.

Information on the required refrigerant fill quantity for the entire A/C system is contained on the rating plate (1) in the engine compartment.

Fig 3: Identifying Rating Plate

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If necessary, refer to HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING - TECHNICAL DATA .

Installation:

Reseal refrigerant filler necks on vehicle with sealing caps.