Nice informative video. Couple of suggestions. First, instead of going "blind" on how long you need to leave the pump pulling a vacuum on the system you need a micron gauge and not rely on manifold readings. They don't give an accurate reading. If you pull vacuum from both low and high side then you can connect the micron gauge on the pump port. I prefer to pull from just the low side and have the micron gauge to the pin furthest away from the pump. Second when you recharge the system you NEVER turn the can upside down sending liquid R134 to the compressor. It can destroy the compressor in a heart beat. Leave the can upside down to feed it with vapor. Periodically shut the can off for the ac to stabilize and then continue. In very hot days if the can gets to a freezing point and the R134 can't get out submerge it in warm water and the charging will continue. Third the ac needs oil as well as R134a. BMW suggests an oil compatible with PAG-46 (only in case of a completely empty system). The quantity is on the ac sticker. Also, since you suspected a leak from the shrader valves on the ports why didn't you put into the system a UV leak detector dye? It would had made your life easier and also would help you if you have any leaks in the future. Other than those couple of suggestions you have done a very good job.
I did this on my X3 not too long ago with the same pump. When I first got the pump it wasn’t sucking much. Forgot to put the oil in it 😂. But you should always let the a/c system suck the rest of the Freon stuck in the gauges 👍
Hello sir I want to say it was a great great video that you put together I really liked it very simplistic I have a 2015 535i xDrive that I need to replace the AC compressor and the dealership wanted $4100 . So you say i can go to a shop before I disconnect the system and have it drained there before I vacuum the system?
Besides the full charge rates... To make a complementaria refill... The guide is the low pressure... What are such pressures? In a healthy system... For instance mine has 65/150 psi... Never filled by me. Right now But is cooling enough. What should be the final pressures for a fresh charge at the car..? Thanks
Do you close both ends of the red high-pressure manifold when applying freon? I noticed that you only talked about keeping the red manifold gauge closed all the time, but you said nothing about the other hot line fitting. Do you keep that one closed as well? Can you clarify this step please and thank you.
The end of the hose that's attached to the high (hot/red/whatever) side stays open during the entire procedure. This way, the manifold will read the pressure inside the high side. You only use the valves on the manifold to control the freon flow. Hope that makes sense, thanks for watching!
Great video but how do you check the correct amount of compressor oil? This system can't refill that if needed. And a good thing to remember is that an AC should always be on. Even in wintertime. Otherwise they will dry out and eventually fail.
My understanding is that you cannot add Freon to the system without the compressor clutch engaged. I also understand that the compressor clutch will not engage if the pressure sensor indicates that the Freon level is too low. You didn't deal with the clutch at all . . . the Freon appears to have entered the system with the compressor running. Does the vacuumed system satisfy the pressure sensor( i.e., negative pressure)?
Yeah, you're correct! It doesn't engage until it sees enough pressure in the low side for the compressor to come on. I think you can see in the video at 10:46. Then as it uses the freon, the cold side will continue to get filled by the freon cans until you've measured and filled it to factory spec! Hope that answers your question. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!
I recently had to drain the Freon from my 2007 335i I order to remove the condenser. I bought this same can. Can I just use this can to recharge my system or do I need to vacuum the system first? Thanks in advance for instructions.
Really enjoying the DIY's on your channel, I was wandering if you could se d a link for the long quick jack you use please. It may be different to for me as I'm in England but an idea what to search for would be helpful. I also have an E91, love the Tourers. Thanks. Ian.
I bought in the winter, forgot to check AC, moved to FL, was dying from heat. Checked it out it was just empty of refrigerant. Took it to a shop, they did "evaluation" on what's wrong with it, they said it's a leaky valve in both high pressure and low pressure. It's just like a tire valve for a bicycle. They wanted $600 parts and labor and refill. Went to a parts store, bought an AC Pro $50 refill and fixed all my problems. Crazy how much money you can save on doing the job yourself
I did the same procedure you did, but but going in for 45 minutes, the low gauge moved and it looks like the vacuum pumps oil suddenly disappeared into the hose's, help
Nice video but correct me if I’m wrong but I thought you can not add liquid into the suction line while the compressor is running and if you do, you will have to do it little by little so liquid won’t get in to the compressor
My bmw 328i is blowing hot air from ac only at the night it’s blowing cold air. I bought the ac to install it but it seemed it didn’t worked out. Should I try drain it out and use Freon?
I recently changed the high pressure AC hose in my 335i and filled using a Walmart Can until the AC was cold 😂 Thanks Chris for showing the correct way of doing this. If my AC goes hot I’ll definitely be doing this method
@@TheBimmerBarn no 😂 I figured my AC system was completely empty. Because I had removed the high pressure line and nothing came out but hopefully I don’t ruin my compressor over time bc of the horrible job 😂
So in theory the way the system works, I just have idea, it circulates fluid or gas as you name it. If the system has a gap, which is oxygen and you want to remove it, isnt it different than a normal bleeding process? I mean if you charge from one end and release from the other . Obviously it is not correct but scientifically speaking
Most compressors come pre-oiled, and if you just drained your A/C to change something small, you probably didn't lose any oil in the first place. If you're installing a used A/C compressor, it may be smart to add some oil. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching
I like to do my own work and I watched just out of interest but it doesn't make much economic sense for me. I need to drain, do some work and refill on just one car. Interesting video though.
Hello! Very costly procedure ! You spent 40$ then there are the gages, the vacuum pump and also the cans with agent. My question is. How much does it cost a charge in town at service shop ?
Around my area, I get quotes from $150-$200 for an evac and recharge. Pretty steep cost when we're building multiple cars a year. If you're not driving/restoring a lot of cars, it might make more sense to pay a shop to have it done correctly. Great question!
Nice informative video. Couple of suggestions. First, instead of going "blind" on how long you need to leave the pump pulling a vacuum on the system you need a micron gauge and not rely on manifold readings. They don't give an accurate reading. If you pull vacuum from both low and high side then you can connect the micron gauge on the pump port. I prefer to pull from just the low side and have the micron gauge to the pin furthest away from the pump.
Second when you recharge the system you NEVER turn the can upside down sending liquid R134 to the compressor. It can destroy the compressor in a heart beat. Leave the can upside down to feed it with vapor. Periodically shut the can off for the ac to stabilize and then continue. In very hot days if the can gets to a freezing point and the R134 can't get out submerge it in warm water and the charging will continue.
Third the ac needs oil as well as R134a. BMW suggests an oil compatible with PAG-46 (only in case of a completely empty system). The quantity is on the ac sticker. Also, since you suspected a leak from the shrader valves on the ports why didn't you put into the system a UV leak detector dye? It would had made your life easier and also would help you if you have any leaks in the future.
Other than those couple of suggestions you have done a very good job.
Best discription for HVAC work! Clear and concise, thank so much for your great videos
Thanks for the nice comment, Peter!
Nice simple instruction. Gonna do it and hope its blows cold in my truck..
I did this on my X3 not too long ago with the same pump. When I first got the pump it wasn’t sucking much. Forgot to put the oil in it 😂. But you should always let the a/c system suck the rest of the Freon stuck in the gauges 👍
Hello sir I want to say it was a great great video that you put together I really liked it very simplistic I have a 2015 535i xDrive that I need to replace the AC compressor and the dealership wanted $4100 . So you say i can go to a shop before I disconnect the system and have it drained there before I vacuum the system?
So what were your high and low pressures at idle when you were done ?
same question^^^^^^
Besides the full charge rates... To make a complementaria refill... The guide is the low pressure... What are such pressures? In a healthy system... For instance mine has 65/150 psi... Never filled by me. Right now But is cooling enough. What should be the final pressures for a fresh charge at the car..? Thanks
Thanks for sharing Chris! My plan is to buy this stuff in the future. Dutch regards, Nico.
Brillant video mate.
Thanks Douglas 🙏🤗
Do you close both ends of the red high-pressure manifold when applying freon? I noticed that you only talked about keeping the red manifold gauge closed all the time, but you said nothing about the other hot line fitting. Do you keep that one closed as well? Can you clarify this step please and thank you.
The end of the hose that's attached to the high (hot/red/whatever) side stays open during the entire procedure. This way, the manifold will read the pressure inside the high side. You only use the valves on the manifold to control the freon flow. Hope that makes sense, thanks for watching!
Very good video. People saying what about the oil. When you suck the system down it doesn’t remove the oil
perfect .. what i need .. usually i dont have problem with head, only lack of cold :) I usually opened windows to cool down lol
Great video but how do you check the correct amount of compressor oil? This system can't refill that if needed. And a good thing to remember is that an AC should always be on. Even in wintertime. Otherwise they will dry out and eventually fail.
Do I buy the compressor oil separate or are the prefilled can w/refrigerate the same
There's a chart that bmw has it tells you how much oil to renew per what type of job youdid
Thanks, good information and great audio
I will try to do it at home, I have 740i f01.
My understanding is that you cannot add Freon to the system without the compressor clutch engaged. I also understand that the compressor clutch will not engage if the pressure sensor indicates that the Freon level is too low. You didn't deal with the clutch at all . . . the Freon appears to have entered the system with the compressor running. Does the vacuumed system satisfy the pressure sensor( i.e., negative pressure)?
Yeah, you're correct! It doesn't engage until it sees enough pressure in the low side for the compressor to come on. I think you can see in the video at 10:46. Then as it uses the freon, the cold side will continue to get filled by the freon cans until you've measured and filled it to factory spec!
Hope that answers your question. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!
I recently had to drain the Freon from my 2007 335i I order to remove the condenser. I bought this same can. Can I just use this can to recharge my system or do I need to vacuum the system first? Thanks in advance for instructions.
Really enjoying the DIY's on your channel, I was wandering if you could se d a link for the long quick jack you use please. It may be different to for me as I'm in England but an idea what to search for would be helpful. I also have an E91, love the Tourers. Thanks. Ian.
I bought in the winter, forgot to check AC, moved to FL, was dying from heat. Checked it out it was just empty of refrigerant. Took it to a shop, they did "evaluation" on what's wrong with it, they said it's a leaky valve in both high pressure and low pressure. It's just like a tire valve for a bicycle. They wanted $600 parts and labor and refill. Went to a parts store, bought an AC Pro $50 refill and fixed all my problems. Crazy how much money you can save on doing the job yourself
Nice E92 if that’s yours 👌🏻
@@joshdominguez341 It was an old picture, updated it :) I do need to do a lot of stuff on it still.
@@hurricane5677 nice man I have one as well and in white 😂👌🏻
Do BMW use a drier on the liquid line?
I did the same procedure you did, but but going in for 45 minutes, the low gauge moved and it looks like the vacuum pumps oil suddenly disappeared into the hose's, help
Nice video but correct me if I’m wrong but I thought you can not add liquid into the suction line while the compressor is running and if you do, you will have to do it little by little so liquid won’t get in to the compressor
Is an evacuation on a BMW i3 the same process?
My bmw 328i is blowing hot air from ac only at the night it’s blowing cold air. I bought the ac to install it but it seemed it didn’t worked out. Should I try drain it out and use Freon?
what did you end up doing ? i’m having the same problem
Thank you
It would be even better had you put the hoses on the right way! You have them backwards they have a shrader valve in the end thats bent
I recently changed the high pressure AC hose in my 335i and filled using a Walmart Can until the AC was cold 😂 Thanks Chris for showing the correct way of doing this. If my AC goes hot I’ll definitely be doing this method
Did you vacuum the system prior to charging? Haha that's one hell of a success story 😆
@@TheBimmerBarn no 😂 I figured my AC system was completely empty. Because I had removed the high pressure line and nothing came out but hopefully I don’t ruin my compressor over time bc of the horrible job 😂
@@BassFraud keep us updated! 😁
@@TheBimmerBarn AC is hot again 😭
So in theory the way the system works, I just have idea, it circulates fluid or gas as you name it.
If the system has a gap, which is oxygen and you want to remove it, isnt it different than a normal bleeding process? I mean if you charge from one end and release from the other .
Obviously it is not correct but scientifically speaking
fyi they have to buy the Freon from you , or give it back to you when you charge the system. you own every oz of what they take out
Do I need to add pag oil too?
Most compressors come pre-oiled, and if you just drained your A/C to change something small, you probably didn't lose any oil in the first place. If you're installing a used A/C compressor, it may be smart to add some oil. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching
Nice, detailed and helpful. I need to do one of my cars so this will definitely help!
I like to do my own work and I watched just out of interest but it doesn't make much economic sense for me. I need to drain, do some work and refill on just one car. Interesting video though.
Hello! Very costly procedure ! You spent 40$ then there are the gages, the vacuum pump and also the cans with agent. My question is. How much does it cost a charge in town at service shop ?
Around my area, I get quotes from $150-$200 for an evac and recharge. Pretty steep cost when we're building multiple cars a year. If you're not driving/restoring a lot of cars, it might make more sense to pay a shop to have it done correctly. Great question!
If car has been sitting longer that 48 hrs need to let run 60min
"Hot side/cold side" 😂
Wow, “How to: drain…” have someone else do it
Pause
For cheap😂?? Need all those to do how can be cheaper and it ain’t simple either lol .., 🤔