The A/C in my daughters '03 Mini (not S) just quit working....at over 100k.

I took it to the local BMW dealer, as we don't have a Mini shop in Wichita, and they said it has a leak inside the compressor....and hence needed a new one.

However, I just had them charge it up (only took one can of R12, or whatever) thinking that a seal somewhere was dry and that the recharge might lubricate and fix.....but no such luck.

I'm not wanting to start with the most expensive part ($900 quote for the part from dealer), and have some additional concerns:

1. My daughter now tells me there was some noise before it quite...not sure what kind, but not normal.

2. The clutch does not engauge on the compressor....I would think that even with a leak the compressor should attempt to function.

3. I remember a cooling fan coming on when the A/C is activated and there is no fan running now.....is this normal?

Again, I'm not sure I want to pay for a new compressor, plus labor, only to find out that it's a fan....or relay.

I've checked all of the A/C and Fan fuses (except the F1 & F2 are a box style and I'm not sure how to check) all of the blade fuses look correct.

Any suggestions before I bend over and take it from the dealer?

Thanks,

Damon

 

Yes. The best suggestion is to probably take it to a reliable independent mechanic and have a second opinion and a second price quote. Everyone knows the dealership is a steal. Since your AC doesn't keep your MINI from running, you can find out what part you need and take your time finding it online and trying to get the best price. Then the install would be cheaper at a independent mechanic and it would still be as good as the dealership.

 

Thanks.....

I was hoping that someone with a similar experience would chime in.....

Most importantly, if the electric cooling fan that used to come on when the a/c was turned on (I think....could use a confirmation here and not the a/c blower fan, that works fine...as do the control lights) has quit....will it stop the compressor from engaging?

Thanks,

Damon

 

A leak "Inside" the compressor?

Are you sure?

I agree, any A/C shop should be able to trouble shoot this and quote repairs. There's nothing magical about the MINI A/C system. Does it have the manual or automatic system?

My '03 sometimes goes dead (no lights in the auto A/C controls), and when I restart the car again it works fine.....

The compressor clutch will not engage if the freon is too low, or if the aux fan isn't working. There could be any number of reasons besides the compressor why they system isn't working - or it could need a new compressor!

 

I don't have the actual receipt from the BMW dealership in my hands, but I'm certain the tech typed "Internal Leak in Compressor", or something very similar in the notes field.

I declined to fix, because I have never heard of that before and was pissed that they charged me $150 just to diagnose the system....

Question....maybe for a Haynes or Bently manual:

If the Aux Fan isn't working.....as the noise my daughter heard could have been the unit crapping out.....how do I test? Or do I have to drive 185 miles to Kansas City so it can get plugged into a computer?

Thanks for the reply.

P.S. What the hell is Manual A/C? Or is that what my 64 1/2 Mustang convertable has?

Damon

 

Manual A/C is the kind you simpky turn on and off

Automatic A/C also known as automatic climate control is where you set a temp' to hold and the system decides when to run a/c and when to run heat etc etc. Both my S have the premium pack that includes auto a/c. Don't know it would make any difference diagnosing the system.

I can't offer much help from a Haynes prospective. For the most part I believe a/c work is best left to a professional because the system must be evacuated b4 any work is done, recovering the gas rather than discharging to the environment. Actually any mech who recharges a system with a known leak is brushing against the law. It should only be done if the chemical used to detect leaks ( a dye ) is also used.

A new compressor at this time is not out of the question....I replaced the 02's this time last year. Yes it is expensive but on the other hand if you do it thru the dealer you get a 2 year warranty or at least I did. With the way the computer monitors everything, and controls everything (HAL .... are listening HAL) it does not surprise me that other parts of the system don't come on...rather, I'm happy they don't and nothing else gets burned up.

We actually just let the 02 go last Sat at a little shy of 99,000 miles...owned since Oct of 02. The maintenance highlights, out of the pocket ...

+ 3 1/2 sets of tires (two replaced for damage)
+ 4 sets of brake pads ... rotors changed once (first pad change was early to lower dust pads; I did all the changes; last pads were last month; actually 4 sets of front and one change in the rear)
+ fan element replaced once under warranty and once at my cost...(the fan runs always problem)
+ coolant overflow replaced once as re-call and once at my cost because of leaking last year
+ driver window motor replaced at my cost
+ a/c compressor replaced this time last year, my cost

not the worst car I've owned but I'll admit the cost of repairs for the 95 Miata I had for nearly 150,000 miles was much MUCH less.

 

Probably the front seal in the compressor. This is pretty common on any compressor as it gets a lot of wear, hence the "internal failure". Comp will not start because of the low pressure switch, because of no refrigerant. Aux fan maybe controlled by the high pressure switch, hence no high pressure, no fan start.

 

I live in the Wichita area and these guys(Bavarian Automotive)have a great reputation for Mini service. There was an article recently the Eagle about them and it was noted that they now have trained Mini technicians. Once my warranty expires, I will probably use them rather than driving 3 hours to KC. http://www.bavarianautomotive.com/

 

Thanks for the info on Bavarian....

I've known Maurice for some time and didn't realize he worked on Mini's until last week.

We have an appointment to get the car checked out.

Thanks again,

Damon