JAB 67 Posted July 30, 2013 Report Posted July 30, 2013 2004 MCS, 125K. a/c is anemic, and I have exhausted my diagnostic skills in trying to figure out why. MachV doesn't do a/c work; any suggestions? Hesitant to take it to the dealer. TIA. JAB 67 Fairfax, VA 2004 MCS, PW/B
minime331 Posted July 30, 2013 Report Posted July 30, 2013 See if ptunning does ac work STella- 14' Focus ST Roush CAI, Cobb access port stage1 tune, custom Ptuning 3" exhuast, Levels FMIC, Turbosmart BOV, rally armor mud flaps, more to come.
minime331 Posted July 30, 2013 Report Posted July 30, 2013 PTUNING doesn't do A/c never mind then STella- 14' Focus ST Roush CAI, Cobb access port stage1 tune, custom Ptuning 3" exhuast, Levels FMIC, Turbosmart BOV, rally armor mud flaps, more to come.
Drillslinger Posted July 31, 2013 Report Posted July 31, 2013 Just been through the whole gamut of R53 AC troubleshooting (AFAIK ) What are the symptoms?
TGGRRR (Ali) Posted July 31, 2013 Report Posted July 31, 2013 We have another vendor Bilbo Automotive in Alexandria. They might do AC work and they're good with MINIs Tigger 2006 the cabrio and Riversong the 2014 Countryman
nharrison21 Posted August 1, 2013 Report Posted August 1, 2013 My A/C went out last summer on my 04 R50. What are your symptoms. Also I went to Sterling Import Auto Services and he determined it was a blown line. Fixed and recharged for a 1/4 of what the dealership wanted. ________________________________________________________________ [sIGPIC]http://www.motoringalliance.com/gallery/data/500/nh21003.jpg[/sIGPIC] 2004 MC JB/W CVT DSC H/K R50 "Operation De-Chrome" 90% Complete
JAB 67 Posted August 1, 2013 Author Report Posted August 1, 2013 Anemic. Compressor engages, cabin air fan works, but air that comes out is not very cool. JAB 67 Fairfax, VA 2004 MCS, PW/B
Drillslinger Posted August 1, 2013 Report Posted August 1, 2013 Is your radiator fan running at idle with the AC on? Have you tested the AC while driving? My low speed fan is shot so I only get cold AC when driving.
JAB 67 Posted August 1, 2013 Author Report Posted August 1, 2013 (edited) Radiator fan fully functional. Idle, full speed, makes no difference; a/c anemic Edited August 1, 2013 by JAB 67 typo JAB 67 Fairfax, VA 2004 MCS, PW/B
Drillslinger Posted August 2, 2013 Report Posted August 2, 2013 Someone with a little more experience may want to chime in but that makes me think it's either a leak in the system (have you checked the pressure?) or the compressor isn't working right (worn seals, etc). My AC was giving me problems a few months ago and it wasn't until I got one of those $40 recharge kits that I discovered the condenser leak.
nharrison21 Posted August 2, 2013 Report Posted August 2, 2013 Sounds like this is the problem I had. Its hard to look at but there is a line that goes from the condensor to the firewall. The whole hose is metal except for about 6 inches. The rubber portion was the failure point on mine as it was rubbing a part of metal on the car which eventually made the hose fail and leak out all my coolant. ________________________________________________________________ [sIGPIC]http://www.motoringalliance.com/gallery/data/500/nh21003.jpg[/sIGPIC] 2004 MC JB/W CVT DSC H/K R50 "Operation De-Chrome" 90% Complete
JAB 67 Posted August 2, 2013 Author Report Posted August 2, 2013 Thanks for the various suggestions, but my understanding is that if the refrigerant had leaked out, such as through a ruptured hose, the pressure sensor would prevent the compressor from engaging. As my compressor does engage, I don't think the problem is low or missing refrigerant. I'm still looking for a shop that has experience with Mini a/c but is trustworthy and charges less than the dealers. JAB 67 Fairfax, VA 2004 MCS, PW/B
RichSperry Posted August 2, 2013 Report Posted August 2, 2013 If it were me I'd go buy a recharge can with gauge and hook it up and see. It might be something simple like it's just low on charge... (yes, I know that won't fix a problem, but it's a start to see what pressure you do have...) Besides, it's only about $20... No matter where you go, there you are!
JAB 67 Posted August 2, 2013 Author Report Posted August 2, 2013 Been there done that. JAB 67 Fairfax, VA 2004 MCS, PW/B
elpollodiablo Posted August 2, 2013 Report Posted August 2, 2013 Did you check to see if the fan is kicking into high speed? I just had my system gone over and the mechanic said that there's a low and high setting. . . Also. . .is the air blowing out the vent as hard as it should? Might there be an obstruction in the airpath? (Not likely but worth a look.) Alice Cooper - Hyper Blue R53 with a few light mods ???? - Montego Blue 335xi with even lighter mods [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
