Notes on replacing air conditioning compressor, determining the amount of refrigerant oil (amount of refrigerant oil for new air conditioning compressor not known) (Without label for coolant oil level)
A DIFFERENT PROCEDURE applies for air conditioning compressors with a label indicating coolant oil level.
Attention!
Risk of damage!
Remove the air conditioning compressor without damaging and without the use of force!
Air conditioning compressors with plastic belt pulleys:
- Avoid impacts/knocks to plastic belt pulley (caused by tools, contact with base).
- Return faulty air conditioning compressors in their original packaging only and with sealed connected branches.
Attention!
In the event of a mechanical air conditioning compressor failure and the resulting ingress of chips into the refrigerant circuit, replace the following parts:
- Air conditioning compressor
- Air conditioning condenser
- Desiccant insert
- Line to air conditioning condenser
- Refrigerant oil
- all expansion valves
BEV, PHEV:
- Additionally rinse the refrigerant circuit
All vehicles without I01 with heat pump:
The new air conditioning compressor is filled at the factory with refrigerant oil.
The coolant oil level in the new air conditioning compressor corresponds to the coolant oil level for the entire new and unfilled refrigerant circuit.
Only I01 with heat pump:
The new air conditioning compressor and new dryer flask are filled at the factory with refrigerant oil.
The coolant oil level in the new air conditioning compressor and in the new dryer flask corresponds to the coolant oil level for the entire new and unfilled refrigerant circuit.
When replacing the air conditioning compressor it is absolutely essential to adapt the coolant oil level in accordance with the instructions below!
BMW I01 with heat pump: An adaptation is also required for the replacement of the dryer flask.
An adaptation of the coolant oil level is not required in the following cases:
- Replacement of the complete refrigerant circuit.
- If the refrigerant circuit was rinsed (only BMW i, PHEV).
- Evacuate the air conditioning. Refer to: SUCTION, EVACUATING AND FILLING AIR CONDITIONING (R134A) or SUCTION, EVACUATING AND FILLING HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM (R134A) or SUCTIONING, EVACUATING AND FILLING HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM (R1234YF) .
- Record the coolant oil level shown on the A/C service station display.
When evacuating the air conditioning refrigerant oil is also extracted and collected in the oil separator of the A/C service station. This refrigerant oil level is displayed after the extraction of the air conditioning on the display of the A/C service station.
- Transfer all of the refrigerant oil remaining in the previous air conditioning compressor into a measuring cup via the oil filler plug.
- Turn the belt pulley during the filling process. This allows more refrigerant oil to flow out of the previous air conditioning compressor.
Examine drained refrigerant oil from the removed air conditioning compressor in the measuring cup:
If no refrigerant oil escapes from the removed air conditioning compressor, examine the extracted refrigerant oil in the collecting vessel of the A/C service station.
- There are no shavings in the drained refrigerant oil.
No additional work required.
- There are shavings in the drained refrigerant oil.
In addition to the air conditioning compressor, replace the following parts:
- Air conditioning condenser
- Desiccant insert (if individually replaceable, if not air conditioning condenser)
- Line to air conditioning condenser
- Refrigerant oil
- All expansion valves
- BEV, PHEV: Additionally rinse the refrigerant circuit.
- Read the refrigerant oil level on the measuring cup.
- Open oil filler plug. Tightening torque 64 52 2AZ.
- Fill the entire contents of the new air-conditioning compressor into a clean collecting vessel.
- The same amount of refrigerant oil (from the new air-conditioning compressor) as from the previous air-conditioning compressor, + 10 ml as precautionary allowance into a clean measuring cup and fill it again into the new air-conditioning compressor. At least but a total of 50 ml .
Example:
20 ml read at measuring cup:
20 ml + 10 ml precautionary allowance = 30 ml < 50 ml
determined coolant oil level new air conditioning compressor = 50 ml
The drained new refrigerant oil can be filled into the expansion tank of the A/C service station after draining.
If the new, drained refrigerant oil is not filled straight away into the expansion tank of the A/C service station, it must be disposed of properly.
On account of its hygroscopic properties, refrigerant oil must not be stored in open collecting vessels.
- Reassemble the vehicle.
- Evacuating the air conditioning. Refer to: SUCTION, EVACUATING AND FILLING AIR CONDITIONING (R134A) or SUCTION, EVACUATING AND FILLING HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM (R134A) or SUCTIONING, EVACUATING AND FILLING HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM (R1234YF) .
- Before filling the air conditioning with refrigerant, fill the noted amount of the previously suctioned off refrigerant oil into the system.
- Fill A/C system. Refer to: SUCTION, EVACUATING AND FILLING AIR CONDITIONING (R134A) or SUCTION, EVACUATING AND FILLING HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM (R134A) or SUCTIONING, EVACUATING AND FILLING HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM (R1234YF) .
Attention!
Risk of damage!
It is essential to carry out the following running-in procedure when putting a new air-conditioning compressor into initial operation.
Do not exceed the idle speed.
Manual:
- Switch off the air conditioning.
- Put all ventilation outlets in the dashboard to "OPEN".
- Start the engine and let it stabilize at idle speed.
- Set the blower output to a minimum of 75% of the maximum blower output.
- Switch on the air conditioning and allow the engine to run at idle speed for a minimum of 2 minutes.
Perform the following service function with the diagnostic system:
- Body
- Heating and air conditioning functions
- Run-in protection for A/C compressor
- The refrigerant oil drawn off from the oil separator of the A/C service station and from the previous air conditioning compressor must not be reused and must be correctly disposed of .
- Observe country-specific waste disposal regulations.
Installation note:
If the refrigerant circuit is open for longer than 24 hours:
- Replace DESICCANT INSERT