Last summer, when my a/c started blowing warm, I was told to replace the compressor because the clutch was not engaging. A re-manufacturer in Michigan sent me a unit guaranteed for 90 days and it was installed and the system charged, but the a/c was still blowing warm. The re-manufacturer swapped out the compressor for another, however that did not solve the problem. I was told to replace the expansion valve which was one of the hardest parts to replace in the '02 Mini. While I was at it, I replaced the drier as well. The system worked okay for the rest of the summer (cool not cold). This spring, the first time I tried to use the a/c, it was blowing warm. The shop I took it to said it was the compressor. The re-manufacturer sent another and it was replaced. The clutch engaged, but it blew warm air. I did some research and found that a pressure switch under the battery box might be the problem. I replaced it but it did not solve the problem. I took it to the dealer and they said it was the compressor. I told them that this was the third unit. They said that the remanufactured units were crap and that a new unit was the only solution ($1800 installed). I decided to call the re-manufacturer again and plead for just one more try with another compressor. He was very understanding and sent another, even though the warrantee expired months ago. Compressor #4 was installed but the a/c still blows warm. By the way, I have replaced the radiator fan and power steering fan last year, and they are functioning normally. I love my Mini but want to kill it. Some one please suggest something.

 

Are you doing all this work yourself? Are you pulling a vacuum every time before you introduce new refrigerant? Are you putting in a dye and looking for leaks?

 

I am a backyard mechanic. I replaced the first two compressors and then brought the car to a shop that specializes in a/c repair. They replaced the last two compressors. They tell me that the system is leak free and that the compressor is not pumping adequately. The re-manufacture said that it is impossible to have four bad compressors.

 

If the re maker is using the same wrong parts to rebuild the units they will all be bad.

Example is when Harley Davidson had problems with their brake light switches. They replaced them for people with another defective switch. I was selling after market Accel switches and had the same bad problem. I also sold CCI switches that were also no good. All of the switches were made by the same company and they had a bad run on them all due to where they got one of the parts indide the switch. Everything finely got made right but it sure was frustrating for about a month.

Not to be a Smart A__ but are you putting in the correct refrigerent?

 

update???

 

I posted this some time back. Check this out: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-diy-fix.html

 

Update on the 4th compressor! Still no cold air after the 4th re-manufactured compressor was installed. The guys at Modern Auto Air are scratching their heads wondering what to do. I sent the #3 compressor, that had been removed, back to the re-manufacturer (Jensen Re-Manufacturers) for a total tear down to see if they can tell me what's happening. Thanks for your input ronnie948. Its just hard to believe that Jensen is rebuilding bad compressors! The guys have been very patient we me and are willing to do anything necessary to find the solution. I'll keep ya'll posted as the temperature climbs in SW Florida.

 

"Its just hard to believe that Jensen is rebuilding bad compressors!"

The fact that they have sent four of them to you for the price of one makes it very easy for me to believe. Please don't kill the Mini.

 

What you have not reported was whether or not the system is holding the R134a or not......clutch will not engage if the system is not holding a charge.

I would surmize that from having replaced the entire A/C system at least 3 times now, that would be worth looking into ?

Also, I don't believe even MINI sells brand new compressors, aren't they all remanufactured ?

 

Naww...you can still get the new OEM ones......Delphi is an OEM supplier to BMW/MINI. You can get them through various places new, about $500....some have a Behr compressor...the 2nd OEM...available for $550.
Various places rebuild them both of them too.....

 

Strange, because from what I understand, even the "new" alternators from MINI are not really new, but rebuilt.

 

You can buy remans for as little as 289 with a new clutch....
http://www.discountcompressor.com/ad...60-01993.html#
Never used them, but cheaper than the first place I looked at..Pelican.

 

It is possible that MINI USA is selling rebuilt stuff...higher profit margin I bet....but the OEM's are still cranking out the same part #'s...you just go around MINI to buy them....skip them as they are functioning as the middle man....with all the inefficiency's of a supply chain that stretches to Germany...heck they had to order, and ship a .05 plastic cap for my fuel rail for me from Germany....cost me 5$ by the time it was air freighted here a week later....