OK, so I am a dumbss.

While attempting to drill holes in the bumper of my brand new JCW, my drill slipped and I punctured the air conditioning condenser. I contacted the dealer and it is going to set me back $826.

A few questions:
a) Will it harm the car if I drive with it with a punctured condenser? (I just won't turn the A/C on).

b) Should I drive it to the dealer without the bumper cover/fairing? I am in the process of installing laser shifters and M7 grills and I hate to have to assemble the car to drive it to the dealer, just to disassemble it when I get it back. My fear is that I pick up a rock or something on the exposed intercooler.

c) Should I attempt to install the condenser myself and have the dealer charge A/C the system?


By the way, I was never able to drill into the bumper (that sucker is hard). Tomorrow I going to attempt gluing the brackets that I was trying to screw on on the bumper. Has anyone successfully drilled into the steel bumper?

 

Replacing a condenser on a normal car isn't that difficult, but with the space confinement inherent to a mini, you may want to consider the dealer. The entire bumper assembly probably has to come off, and even after you're done, you still have to take the car to the dealer or an a/c shop to have it evacuated and recharged. If you drive around for any significant length of time, you would also want to consider replacing your receiver/dryer because the desiccant may be contaminated.
This also doesn't take into account the lost oil that must be replaced. If you blew the condenser above the low point, you probably didn't lose too much oil, but some would have been lost. Estimating how much to replace is another issue.
You're probably better off letting the dealer do the entire job, that way if there is a problem later on, they won't have any basis fror denying warranty claims.
Good luck.
someguyfromMaryland
(new to the MINI's, waiting for the dealer to call with the arrival of my '09 MCS)

 

Thats crazy. Now go spend less than half:

www.car-part.com has a new but 'used' condition unit out of a 2007 R56 for $195:

2007
Condenser
BMW Mini CooperNEW 679NEW$195Rubin Auto Parts, Inc. USA-NY(Pine-City) E-mail 1-800-247-82462007
Condenser
BMW Mini Cooper10-07,1.6L,2DR T80512$CallTexas Auto Salvage USA-TX(Grand-Prairie) E-mail 1-800-442-6530 / 1-972--263-3306

Then go to your local stealership and give them a sobb tail of how your AC dont work anymore. Or get it serviced and refilled at a reputable auto repairshop. You could also try the DIY route and buy a $35 vaccum off ebay and get the freon (if its standard) from Pepboys.

 

also you might have a radiator place weld the hole shut for you too.

 

Oil, like engine oil? Forgive my ignorance but I am not much of a mechanic (and as you can tell, pretty clumsy with a drill ;-)

Yeah, right now the entire bumper assembly is off and that is part of my dilemma. I would have to assemble the car, just to drive it to the dealer and then I would have to disassemble it so I can finish my installation of the laser shifters, etc.

 

Thanks for the links!

 

I recommend you have a professional mess with it. A/C work is not for the weekend type mechanic. It can be involved and deals with high pressures.

 

After long and painful consideration, I am going to fork out the cash and let my dealer do it. Here is my question;

Should I drive the car to the dealership without the bumper assembly or should I put all back together, just to disassemble it when they are done with it?

Why you may ask?
I'm in the process of installing laser shifters which have to be perfectly level and aligned. If I finish the installation, I am afraid the dealer might knock them out of alignment during the bumper disassmbly and reassembly, so I would have to double check them - meaning taking the bumper assembly off.

If I dirive the car without the bumper assembly, I am afraid that a rock or something might damage my intercooller or the new condenser on the return trip.

I guess a third option is to put the bumper assembly back on, but leave out the hard to reach screws on the side and finish my work once I get the car back.

Oh well, lets wait and see.

Thanks you all for the comments and suggestions. It sure is tempting to go the cheap route aninstall the condenser myself and have a pro charge the system, etc.

 

Yup the AC system uses oil to lube the system. I think it is called pag oil.

 

You ahould have a competent shop do it for you, you will save $ in doing so. Less labor rates.