64 50 009 Drawing off, evacuating and filling heating and air conditioning system (R 134a)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 BMW M3, 2010 BMW M3, 2009 BMW M3, and 2008 BMW M3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

IMPORTANT: 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.

NOTE: Make sure filler connection line (1) is laid without kinks.

Fig 1: Identifying Filler Connection Line

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE:

N52 engine only:

On vehicles with hydraulic steering (e.g. AFS) oil reservoir (1) must be detached.

Refer to: Remove oil reservoir for hydraulic steering

Fig 2: Identifying Fluid Reservoir

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Only persons in possession of a professional certificate of competence for the maintenance and repair of heating and air conditioning systems are authorized to carry out repair work on the refrigerant circuit. This certificate must be presented by 04/07/2010 at the latest. (applies only to EU countries; follow country-specific regulations in non-EU countries)
Refrigerant circuit is under high pressure!

If the protective caps on the filling valves are difficult to open, there is a danger of injury from leaking valve inserts.

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

Before conducting repairs, check the actual pressure drop on the pressure gauge of the A/C service station.

Avoid contact with refrigerant and refrigerant fluid.

Follow safety information for handling refrigerant tetrafluorethane R 134a See 6450... SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR HANDLING R134A REFRIGERANT or 6450... INSTRUCTIONS FOR HANDLING REFRIGERANT R 134A .
Follow safety information for HANDLING REFRIGERANT FLUID .

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!

Only BMW-approved tetraflourethane R134a refrigerant may be used

Restart engine only when air conditioning system has been correctly filled.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!

Carefully move the climate service station!

Comply with the operating instructions and maintenance intervals of the service station!

Highly sensitive components, such as scales, are installed in the climate service station. These components may be damaged by improper handling, such as fast driving over bumps. This will significantly reduce the measuring accuracy when drawing off and filling.

IMPORTANT: The vehicle must be parked on the ground during the entire draw-off, evacuation and filling procedure!
Filling a raised vehicle will lead to insufficient filling levels.

NOTE: In 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.

It is essential to adhere to the service station service intervals.

E60 only:

If necessary, to connect service station, use manufacturer's adapter for high-pressure connection (red).

Notes for drawing off heating and air conditioning system:

To help separation of refrigerant and refrigerant fluid, run engine at low speed (800-1200 RPM) and with heating and air conditioning system turned on for a few minutes.

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

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

Recycling

Dispose of drawn-off refrigerant fluid as hazardous waste.

Observe country-specific waste disposal regulations.

IMPORTANT: E72 only:
Vehicle must be evacuated from both sides!

Notes for evacuating off heating and air conditioning system:

Before each filling, evacuate the refrigerant system.

Observe an evacuation time of at least 30 minutes.

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

If the vacuum does not remain stable when the system is off, run the procedure for leaks in the refrigerant circuit.

Notes for filling heating and air conditioning system:

Before filling with refrigerant, replace the refrigerant fluid entrained during drawing off.

Also top up any lost fluid as indicated in the table:

Loss of R134a refrigerant

Table 1 indicates the amount of coolant loss approved after a specific period of time. There is no leak. Refrigerant fluid may not be topped up.

Table 2 indicates how much refrigerant fluid must be topped up in the event of an unapproved coolant loss 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 fluid

Loss of refrigerant per Table 1 is exceeded

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

REFRIGERANT FLUID REFERENCE CHART

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 fluid	≤ 30	≤ 60	≤ 90	≤ 120	≤ 150

REFRIGERANT FLUID REFERENCE CHART

Table 2: Number of years since last filling	R134a Coolant Loss [g]	Top up quantity refrigerant fluid
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
4 - 5	- <360	10
4 - 5	>360	20

Depending on the type of component replaced on the heating and air conditioning system, it may be necessary to top up the refrigerant fluid, even if no measurable losses have occurred during drawing off. Follow the notes provided by the heating and air conditioning system manufacturer, taking account of the tolerances (and inaccuracies) indicated in the operating instructions of the relevant service station.

Fig 3: Identifying Engine Compartment Plate

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Information on the required refrigerant capacity for the entire heating and air conditioning system is contained on the type plate (1) in the engine compartment.

Installation note:

Reseal refrigerant filler necks on vehicle with sealing caps.