der Mumienwagen; E91 330i Touring
Discussion
MOT day for the 330i today….and it passed with no advisories again.
There was a very very small bit of okay in the front arms but they’re going in the bin in a few weeks when I finally fit the M3 arms that are cluttering up the garage. The car is booked into Spires on 29th July, so the arms will get changed on that Sunday afternoon.
The new A/C compressor has arrived and I’ve picked up new bolts, coolant, deionised water, rad plug etc so I’ll be tackling that tomorrow. Joy. I did find the pin from the belt tensioner which is good. I knew I’d saved it.
There was a very very small bit of okay in the front arms but they’re going in the bin in a few weeks when I finally fit the M3 arms that are cluttering up the garage. The car is booked into Spires on 29th July, so the arms will get changed on that Sunday afternoon.
The new A/C compressor has arrived and I’ve picked up new bolts, coolant, deionised water, rad plug etc so I’ll be tackling that tomorrow. Joy. I did find the pin from the belt tensioner which is good. I knew I’d saved it.
My wife arrived home last night having nursed the car hike sounding like an absolute bag of spanners (no lights on though). Upon hearing it my heat sank thinking that something was really wrong….
Upon opening the bonnet it was soon apparent that they compressor has properly died…
This part of the clutch had come detached and was flapping around. Crisis averted.
Upon opening the bonnet it was soon apparent that they compressor has properly died…
This part of the clutch had come detached and was flapping around. Crisis averted.
So today was spent replacing the AC compressor.
Getting ready to start removing stuff.
Rad fan, air box and aux belt removed.
When removing the undertray I found the rest of the compressor clutch as well as an old T20 bit.
Old coolant being drained.
Once a fair amount had been drained, it was time to whip off the expansion tank. Whilst that was out, I cleaned all the stones and other crap that had accumulated around the AC line already - I’m not having a reapet of that rotting through again.
These two A/C lines needed to be removed. Held in with 6mm bolts.
I then was back under the car to remove the front undertray and to undo the sway bar. I disconnected a few hoses from the thermostat and got covered in coolant. Which was nice. The thermostat was then wiggled forward so I could get access to the compress bolts. The bottom front one is completely obscured by hoses.
Three E12 bolts removed and the old compressor could be wiggled out. Old one with the new Nissens jobbie (I was too impatient to wait for a Denso one from autodoc and too right to pay UK prices).
The three bolts that hold the compressor in place are single use ali jobbies, so a new set was ordered from Sytner.
A/C lines connected to the compressor.
It was then time to start to reinstall everything but disaster struck when I was trying to get the locking pin back in the tensioner - the top of the casting broke off.
I the had to ask my wife to pop to ECP to get a replacement which annoyingly cost the same amount as the full Gates kit. New tensioner installed.
Belt installed, expansion tank retired etc. Filled with coolant. I lay under that whilst it was being bled to check for leaks.
The car started first time. I ran it up to temperature which was a bit stinky as it was burning off brake cleaner, coolant and A/C dye that was on the manifold. Lovely. But more importantly, there were no leaks from any coolant lines that had been disconnected.
I definitely need to get the sump sorted; the undertray is caked in oil (this is it after a wipe down!).
It’s looking more and more like I’m going to do it myself, I’ve had one quote so far that is nearly £600. I’m waiting to hear back from another garage and the other one hasn’t returned my calls which I’m taking as a polite was of saying they don’t want to do it. It doesn’t look impossible, just fiddly and a bit messy.
Here’s what was left of the clutch in the compressor pulley.
It’s getting regassed on Monday night.
Getting ready to start removing stuff.
Rad fan, air box and aux belt removed.
When removing the undertray I found the rest of the compressor clutch as well as an old T20 bit.
Old coolant being drained.
Once a fair amount had been drained, it was time to whip off the expansion tank. Whilst that was out, I cleaned all the stones and other crap that had accumulated around the AC line already - I’m not having a reapet of that rotting through again.
These two A/C lines needed to be removed. Held in with 6mm bolts.
I then was back under the car to remove the front undertray and to undo the sway bar. I disconnected a few hoses from the thermostat and got covered in coolant. Which was nice. The thermostat was then wiggled forward so I could get access to the compress bolts. The bottom front one is completely obscured by hoses.
Three E12 bolts removed and the old compressor could be wiggled out. Old one with the new Nissens jobbie (I was too impatient to wait for a Denso one from autodoc and too right to pay UK prices).
The three bolts that hold the compressor in place are single use ali jobbies, so a new set was ordered from Sytner.
A/C lines connected to the compressor.
It was then time to start to reinstall everything but disaster struck when I was trying to get the locking pin back in the tensioner - the top of the casting broke off.
I the had to ask my wife to pop to ECP to get a replacement which annoyingly cost the same amount as the full Gates kit. New tensioner installed.
Belt installed, expansion tank retired etc. Filled with coolant. I lay under that whilst it was being bled to check for leaks.
The car started first time. I ran it up to temperature which was a bit stinky as it was burning off brake cleaner, coolant and A/C dye that was on the manifold. Lovely. But more importantly, there were no leaks from any coolant lines that had been disconnected.
I definitely need to get the sump sorted; the undertray is caked in oil (this is it after a wipe down!).
It’s looking more and more like I’m going to do it myself, I’ve had one quote so far that is nearly £600. I’m waiting to hear back from another garage and the other one hasn’t returned my calls which I’m taking as a polite was of saying they don’t want to do it. It doesn’t look impossible, just fiddly and a bit messy.
Here’s what was left of the clutch in the compressor pulley.
It’s getting regassed on Monday night.
JakeT said:
Good work. Funnily the bearing failing is why I replaced mine too as it sounded quite bad. I’m sure had I left it this would have happened.
Fun* fact. These compressors aren’t your standard on/off type. They’re a variable displacement one so can range from very little draw to a big draw when they’re working hard. If you dip the clutch on a hot day having recently started the engine, the speed at which the revs drop is way faster than once the system is down to temperature.
The EuroNobHeads bits are costly, but it’s an INA tensioner which is the same as an OE part. 70,000 miles on mine now and all good. I also did it at the same time as the compressor, and a new belt.
I didn’t know that re the clutch. The pulley on the old one spins with zero resistance which I’m guessing why there’s no cold air being made. The new one has quite a bit of resistance if you spin it by hand. Fun* fact. These compressors aren’t your standard on/off type. They’re a variable displacement one so can range from very little draw to a big draw when they’re working hard. If you dip the clutch on a hot day having recently started the engine, the speed at which the revs drop is way faster than once the system is down to temperature.
The EuroNobHeads bits are costly, but it’s an INA tensioner which is the same as an OE part. 70,000 miles on mine now and all good. I also did it at the same time as the compressor, and a new belt.
I was just annoyed at lying so much for a tensioner when it was replaced last year when I changed the oil filter housing. At least they had one in stock.
d_a_n1979 said:
Bkoomin'eck Sam... More serious work there pal.
Least it's sorted now!
But of a bummer both cars are testing... Good you've the patience and skills to get there...
And like above, the safety flippy floppies too
It wasn’t as bad as it looked really; a bit messy (well really messy because no matter how much coolant you think you’ve drained, there always seems to be more when you disconnect the next pipe). Least it's sorted now!
But of a bummer both cars are testing... Good you've the patience and skills to get there...
And like above, the safety flippy floppies too
The A/C in this has been a royal pain in the arse; condenser and high pressure line last summer and now the condenser.
Running two old BMW’s can certainly be challenging.
Mr Tidy said:
Hopefully you'll have working A/C again tomorrow. I doubt Mrs Court would be keen on the James May solution!
d_a_n1979 said:
Sounds like this ones sorted now Sam; quick recharge and away you go...
Passed a Jap import one on the way home (albeit a 335i)
Looked very fresh into the country; sounded brilliant though and it was sat on 359M wheels which suited it to a tee!
Indeed it was; I was there for all of 15 minutes! Passed a Jap import one on the way home (albeit a 335i)
Looked very fresh into the country; sounded brilliant though and it was sat on 359M wheels which suited it to a tee!
it held pressure and is icy cold.
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