R56 Heater Failure

R56 Heater Failure

Author
Discussion

redguy

Original Poster:

132 posts

86 months

Sunday 18th April 2021
quotequote all
My heater appears to have developed a major problem!

Essentially, even when set on full fan speed, it's only putting out a trickle of air.

I initially thought it may be battery related, given that the car doesn't get massive use, and that after a period, it would sometimes suddenly start coming out normally. On the odd occasion.

However, the last month or so, it's had loads of use, most days, often an hour or more each trip.

Did a good hour yesterday, and not only was there barely any air coming out, it also wasn't cool....and it's just had a regas in the last fortnight.

Any experience of this? I did read about a resistor that appears to be a fairly common fault....in fairness, I hope it is such a cheap fix!

Car is a 2013 Cooper SD.

Over to the experts!

Challo

10,838 posts

162 months

Sunday 18th April 2021
quotequote all
redguy said:
My heater appears to have developed a major problem!

Essentially, even when set on full fan speed, it's only putting out a trickle of air.

I initially thought it may be battery related, given that the car doesn't get massive use, and that after a period, it would sometimes suddenly start coming out normally. On the odd occasion.

However, the last month or so, it's had loads of use, most days, often an hour or more each trip.

Did a good hour yesterday, and not only was there barely any air coming out, it also wasn't cool....and it's just had a regas in the last fortnight.

Any experience of this? I did read about a resistor that appears to be a fairly common fault....in fairness, I hope it is such a cheap fix!

Car is a 2013 Cooper SD.

Over to the experts!
A weak battery doesn’t help the issue, but I would with the resistor. Mine has the same issue and when I asked around they advised to change the resistor

redguy

Original Poster:

132 posts

86 months

Sunday 18th April 2021
quotequote all
Super....many thanks.

I'll get that done first, and take it from there!

stevemcs

8,990 posts

100 months

Monday 19th April 2021
quotequote all
If the resistor fails then you are usually stuck with it running flat out and no way of slowing it down.

If you can adjust the temp up and down and it works then i'd be looking towards the motor, see if you can get you hand up to the motor and spin it, sometimes dirt builds up and it stops them spinning.

redguy

Original Poster:

132 posts

86 months

Wednesday 21st April 2021
quotequote all
New battery in earlier - so at least I should not get the warning of it's low power I've had for the past 2 years!

Downside is, the fan speed is fine, but the AC isn't happening.

When the AC is switched on or off, there's no change to the revs, doesn't sound like it's engaging one bit.

Sadly, it was re-gassed a couple of weeks ago, and it left there working okay.

Any ideas?

stevemcs

8,990 posts

100 months

Wednesday 21st April 2021
quotequote all
AC won't kick in if the gas level is low.

redguy

Original Poster:

132 posts

86 months

Thursday 22nd April 2021
quotequote all
Went for another AC check today, turns out it's out of gas in a fortnight....so there's a leak or a problem somewhere.

It's going in for a proper diagnosis tomorrow, so should know more then. Just hoping for if not good, then at least, not so bad news.....!

stevemcs

8,990 posts

100 months

Thursday 22nd April 2021
quotequote all
Most likely the condenser, usually 3/4's of the way up and to the right, no idea why but its normally the same place.

redguy

Original Poster:

132 posts

86 months

Friday 23rd April 2021
quotequote all
Been re-gassed today, and I've been told to drive it for week or so, and when it gets lacking in cold air again, go back.

The reason? The initial re-gas was done at a local Kwik Fit (it's the only thing I'd ever use them for!), but apparently, for Health And Safety reasons, the can't use any dye.

My local AC specialist has re-gassed with dye, and so any problems should hopefully show themselves soon. The couldn't detect any initial leaks, so we're on to plan B......

stevemcs

8,990 posts

100 months

Friday 23rd April 2021
quotequote all
For legal reasons you shouldn't gas a system that has a leak. We never use dye, we pressure test and look for a leak. On the Mini its always the condenser.

rigga

8,754 posts

208 months

Friday 23rd April 2021
quotequote all
Just vacuuming the system will show an issue, pointless adding gas after that.

Condenser is a favorite.

Though saying that, I thought mine was goosed two years ago, but gassed it and always have the aircon switched on, and its still blowing chilly cold.now.

GaryF

974 posts

260 months

Monday 26th April 2021
quotequote all
It was indeed a split condenser that caused the issue with mine. The dealer initially said they could not see any leaks and just regassed, but after a few weeks it was all gone again. I insisted there was a leak and they then did eventually find it and fix it after having the car for a couple of days. £500 and that was the reducd price as it was what I was originally quoted, but they were looking £550. I was likely fleeced of course.

stevemcs

8,990 posts

100 months

Monday 26th April 2021
quotequote all
Some work out £350, some £450, just depends on the condenser, it’s around 2 hours labour, regal and the condenser itself.

redguy

Original Poster:

132 posts

86 months

Wednesday 5th May 2021
quotequote all
Went back for the check yesterday, post-regas with dye.

Car had been driven for about 10 days or so, as requested.

Upshot was, pressure perfect, no leaks detected!

Conclusion being, no idea! First time, I think gas had run out. What Kwik Fit did, or didn't do, I have no clue. It left there cold, but it ran out quickly afterwards.

It's now a case of it it packs in, I can take it back to my local, who did the second gas, for a look. They were equally perplexed.....but so long as it stays cold, I'm (literally) cool with that!