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Aircon slow to kick out icy cold air

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
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max_gain
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Aircon slow to kick out icy cold air

Post by max_gain » Sat Sep 12, 2015 9:03 pm

Hi there,

I am looking to purchase a 2006 3.0d sport. However, upon asking if the air con functions as it should, the owner informed me that it appeared to take a while before icy cold air started to pump out. He indicated warm air was coming out, but it simply took a few minutes before it was icy cold. Once cold, he did say that it was very cold and remained cold.

I have searched through here, but couldn’t find any info. The X5 is unfamiliar to me, as my main experience is with older 3 series and 5’s. I am guessing this slowness to emit cold air indicates a fault of some description.

If some kind person could give me an idea if the air should blow cold almost instantaneously,  I would be very grateful. Also if it is a fault with the air system, I just wondered if any of you guys have come across this issue before.

Kind regards


Stu

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Insight G40
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Re: Aircon slow to kick out icy cold air

Post by Insight G40 » Sat Sep 12, 2015 9:27 pm

I've got a late 2006 3.0D Sport and it takes a minute to get really cold.
It works as it should after that, and I just put it down to the compressor taking time to kick.
E53 Sept 2006 3.0D Sport

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Re: Aircon slow to kick out icy cold air

Post by TimX5 » Sat Sep 12, 2015 9:41 pm

I had to fit a new pusher fan as the air con didn't operate properly until moving,  fairly common fault.

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Re: Aircon slow to kick out icy cold air

Post by X5Sport » Sat Sep 12, 2015 10:41 pm

Could just need the gas level topping up.  I did mine with the Halfords DIY kit.  It's about £50 and has done three cars so far.  Takes about 5 mins to check, test and recharge if low.

Their gauge kit will tell you if the pressure is low.  The system can lose around 15% a year, more if not used regularly - which it should be stop compressor seal damage.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

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Re: Aircon slow to kick out icy cold air

Post by max_gain » Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:40 am

Many thanks for all your helpful comments.

I have heard of pusher fan issues with regards to other things. In this instance, could the fan be running slow or just lazy to get going.

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Re: Aircon slow to kick out icy cold air

Post by X5Sport » Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:43 am

The fan just runs if the system is on.  The fan speed is determined by the external temp and your settings. It depends upon just how long it takes to get cold.  If more than a couple of minutes when set to 16C then the gas level is worth a check.  On my E53 I found it was taking a bit longer than ?I thought it should.  The fan was running and a gas check found the pressure was right at the bottom of the 'green' range so I added a bit to take it back up to the right range and it performed much better  :D

The kits are simple to use as all you do is run the engine for a couple of minutes with the a/c at its lowest setting and plug the gauge onto the low pressure point and it will show you if the system pressure is within the correct range.  If not you squeeze the trigger on the top up cylinder until it's in range and jobs a good un  :)

If it's a fan issue then a replacement is pretty much your only option, and they are not cheap!
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Re: Aircon slow to kick out icy cold air

Post by max_gain » Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:54 am

Thanks for that.

I have also came across a post somewhere on the net, whereby the owner had stripped his fan down to expose a faulty reistor pack which he managed to substitute with a similar value resistor.

Dont know if you guys have seen this.

Stu

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Re: Aircon slow to kick out icy cold air

Post by TimX5 » Sun Sep 13, 2015 5:50 pm

[quote="max_gain"]
Thanks for that.

I have also came across a post somewhere on the net, whereby the owner had stripped his fan down to expose a faulty reistor pack which he managed to substitute with a similar value resistor.

Dont know if you guys have seen this.

Stu
[/quote]

I saw that and it looked abit of a faff so I bought a second hand fan of a guy on London,  well recommended I've got his number if you need it .

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