General information

Prerequisite 

Engine switched off.

• Run the engine for a few minutes at a low engine speed (800-1200 revolutions per minute) and with the air conditioning switched on.
• Stop engine.

  Remove the sealing caps from the refrigerant filler neck on the motor vehicle.

• Connect the high pressure line of the A/C service station with the vehicle's high-pressure connection (red).
• Connect the low-pressure line of the A/C service station with the vehicle's low-pressure connection (blue).
• Start the evacuation on the A/C service station.
• During evacuation, allow the blower of the heating and air-conditioning unit to run at middle blower speed.
• Record the amount of evacuated refrigerant and amount of refrigerant oil after having completed evacuation.
• Keep the sheet with the recorded quantities as the values are once again required when filling.
• Disconnect the high pressure line and low pressure line on the motor vehicle.
• Drain the high pressure line and low pressure line.
• Once again close the refrigerant filler neck on the motor vehicle with the sealing caps.
  Fig 1: Drawing Off Air Conditioning System Refrigerant Oil

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
• Correctly dispose of the drained refrigerant oil.

Prerequisite 

Engine switched off.

• Remove the sealing caps from the refrigerant filler neck on the motor vehicle.
• Connect the high pressure line of the A/C service station with the vehicle's high-pressure connection (red).
• Connect the low-pressure line of the A/C service station with the vehicle's low-pressure connection (blue).
• Start the evacuation process on the A/C service station.
• Keep to the evacuation time of at least 30 min.
• During evacuation, allow the blower of the heating and air-conditioning unit to run at middle blower speed.
• If the vacuum does not remain stable during evacuation:
  • Run the ABL for leaks in the refrigerant circuit.
  • Rectify leaks in the refrigerant circuit.
    Fig 2: Drawing Off Air Conditioning System Refrigerant Oil

    Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Prerequisite 

Engine switched off. Refrigerant circuit evacuated and sealed. Vehicle must be positioned on the ground.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION 

Filling a raised vehicle will result in insufficient filling levels!

• Determine the quantities of new  refrigerant oil to be refilled:

  In addition  to the drawn off and recorded amount of refrigerant oil, add the following quantities (if applicable):

  Top up the refrigerant oil losses over time as per the table: 

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

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

  Case 1  : Refrigerant loss is not exceeded  as per TABLE 1 :

  Top up missing refrigerant

  It is not permitted  to top up the refrigerant oil

  Case 2  : Refrigerant loss is exceeded  as per TABLE 1 :

  Top up missing refrigerant

  Refrigerant oil must be topped up additionally  as per TABLE 2 

  Table 1/case 1
  Number of years since last filling	0-1	1-2	2-3	3-4	4-5
  Permissible loss [g] --> Do not top up refrigerant oil	≤ 30	≤ 60	≤ 90	≤ 120	≤ 150

  Table 2/case 2
  Number of years since last filling	Loss of refrigerant [g]	Top up quantity refrigerant oil
  0-1	< 120	0
  0-1	120-150	10
  0-1	> 150	20
  1-2	< 180	0
  1-2	180-210	10
  1-2	> 210	20
  2-3	< 240	0
  2-3	240-270	10

  Table 2/case 2
  2-3 >	270	20
  3-4	> 300	0
  3-4	300-330	10
  3-4	> 330	20
  4-5	< 360	10
  4-5	> 360	20

  • Add refrigerant oil as per the table if parts of the refrigerant circuit have been replaced: 

    Case 1  : Part exchange as preliminary work for additional work and part exchange due to slow leakage  (minor leak, e.g. hairline crack)

    Case 2  : Part exchange due to sudden leakage  (major leak, e.g. line disconnection caused by accident)

  	Case 1	Case 2
  Air conditioning compressor(1)	(1)	(1)
  Evaporator	10 ml	35 ml
  Air conditioning condenser without integrated desiccant insert	20 ml	35 ml
  Air conditioning condenser with integrated desiccant insert	40 ml	55 ml
  Desiccant insert/dryer flask	20 ml	55 ml
  Per replaced refrigerant line	10 ml	35 ml
  Safety pressure switch, gaskets	0 ml	0 ml
  (1) Air conditioning compressor: see 6452 lubricating the air conditioning compressor

• Top up determined amount of refrigerant oil into the refrigerant circuit.
• Fill the amount of refrigerant as per the type plate into the refrigerant circuit.
• Disconnect the high pressure line and low pressure line on the motor vehicle.
• Drain the high pressure line and low pressure line.
• Once again close the refrigerant filler neck on the motor vehicle with the sealing caps.
  Fig 3: Pouring Refrigerant Oil Into Air Conditioning System

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.