Airco preventive maintenance question(s) '95 3.8 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Crash & Burn · 27th May 2009, 12:20

Gents,

First of all my airco seems to be working fine together with the climate control.
The car has now done 218.000 km and besides the oilleaks on the crankseals it's running pretty fine.
What kind of preventive maintenance can be done on the airco pump or fluids.
I've discovered 2 plastic sort of tapping nuts on the metal tubing of the airco system between the exhaust manifold and the expansion tank.
Are these the ones needed to replace the frige fluid? And can I do it myself? And what fluid do I need?

THX for any advise

Alan Archer · 27th May 2009, 17:15

If you have a healthy, working air conditioning system then it's
best left alone.

The only preventative maintenance you can really do yourself is run
the system at least once a month (for at least 10 minutes) all through the
year including winter months.
This will prevent the seals from drying out as the refrigerant contains lubricant.

Keep the drive belt in correct tension & good condition.

When the cooling power becomes less effective it will be time for a re-gas.
This isn't too expensive and is best left to an A/C specialist with the right
equipment.

They will properly evacuate the system of old gas & moisture, vacum pressure test, refill and finally add lubricant to the system.

There are a variety of "DIY" cans available in shops today but
you have no guarantee you are adding the correct quantities of gas
to the system.

Lastly...there is a green sticker above the radiator containing gas type
and refill volume so the garage has the correct details when working on
the system.

Hope this answers your question.

Regards,

Alan.

Crash & Burn · 27th May 2009, 18:01

THX Alan, yes it helps. I will search for a airco specilist in the neighbourhood

W