Filling the air conditioning

Precondition 

The engine is switched off.

Heating and air conditioning system is switched off.

The refrigerant circuit is evacuated and tight.

Vehicle must be positioned on the ground.

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

  In addition  to the drawn off and recorded coolant oil level, add the following quantities (if applicable):

  • Replenish refrigerant oil losses that have occurred over time according to the table: 

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

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

  Case 1:  Loss of refrigerant as shown in TABLE 1 is not exceeded  :

  • Top up missing refrigerant
  • Topping up of refrigerant oil is not permitted 

  Case 2:  Loss of refrigerant as shown in TABLE 1 is exceeded: 

  • 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
  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 further work and part exchange due to creeping 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

• Fill the determined coolant oil quantity into the refrigerant circuit.
• Fill the amount of refrigerant into the refrigerant circuit according to the nameplate.
• Disconnect the high pressure line and low pressure line on the vehicle.
• Drain the high pressure line and low pressure line.
• Once again close the refrigerant filler neck on the vehicle with the sealing caps.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Precondition 

The service function must be active.

The engine is switched off.

Heating and air conditioning system is switched off.

The refrigerant circuit is evacuated and tight.

Vehicle must be positioned on the ground.

Check 

• Check whether the rate of refrigerant loss as per TABLE 1 is exceeded.

  TABLE 1 indicates the permitted loss of refrigerant after a specific period of time.

  The system is not  leaking.

Result 

» The rate of refrigerant loss as per TABLE 1 is not exceeded. 

Measure

• Top up lost refrigerant.

  Do not  top up refrigerant oil.

Result 

» The rate of refrigerant loss as per TABLE 1 is exceeded. 

Measure

• Top up lost refrigerant.

  Top up refrigerant oil according to TABLE 2.

  TABLE 2 indicates the amount of refrigerant oil to be added  after a specific period of time in the case of an unacceptable  loss of refrigerant due to a leak.

Check 

• Check whether and why parts of the refrigerant circuit have been replaced.

Result 

» Version A:  Parts of the refrigerant circuit have been replaced as preliminary work for further work or due to gradual leakage (minor leak, e.g. hairline crack).

Version B:  Parts of the refrigerant circuit have been replaced due to sudden loss of refrigerant (major leak, e.g. broken pipe due to accident).

Measure

• Add refrigerant oil according to table:

• Top up determined coolant oil level into the refrigerant circuit.
• Fill the amount of refrigerant as per the nameplate into the refrigerant circuit.
• Disconnect the high pressure line and low pressure line on the vehicle.
• Drain the high pressure line and low pressure line.
• Once again close the refrigerant filler neck on the vehicle with the sealing caps.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.