BMW E46 A/C Compressor Replacement DIY

Umm, an A/C repair video just in time for... winter? Well, it's still sunny here in SoCal and I don't get to decide when my A/C stops working, so when the E46 wants a new part, the E46 gets a new part, and you guys get a video!
Thanks again to my sponsor www.oembimmerparts.com. If you're looking to replace your compressor:
oembimmerparts.com/collection...
oembimmerparts.com/collection...
A/C Manifold Gauge Set:
amzn.to/3pfmIWF
You can also find one at Harbor Freight, along with a vacuum pump.
This video is for entertainment purposes only. 50sKid assumes no liability for any repairs or modifications performed by the viewer as a result of the information contained in this video.

[@robertm3730]

Great video! Oh man, I miss how easy my E46 was to service in my garage vs. my E90. I could handle an AC compressor job on an E46 but I saw an E90 equivalent replacement and it took him nearly 8 hours due the dozens of clips, bolts, seals, hoses, and sensors he had to disassemble just to get to the compressor.

[@robertm3730]

Typo. I meant E92.

[@TheAaronfarrington]

This channel should just be a meme for what it's like owning an E46. fml..........my compressor clutch just blew up

[@monty_hendrix]

God Bless you and your channel … I was able to do my alternator last week no problem. Feels good driving her again your a legend in the community.

[@oldjarhead1125]

Nice video! I'm glad you're still doing E46 stuff as I'm still driving my '05 E46. A/C is still working well but will file for the future just in case. Good job, keep them coming.

[@BaronVonWhosit]

I did this exact same thing last July (w/same brand Pag Oil, Denso Comp, Drier, etc..and I think even the same measuring glass off of Amazon?). My compressor also came with very little oil in it even thought the Denso instructions said it shipped with the correct amount of oil. $240 on Amazon vs $1500 from BMW! Exact same compressor w/o the Logo. In addition to the charge of oil to the compressor I also added some extra oil as the old drier that is removed contains oil and the new one does not. AutoZone has the filling equipment in their rental program, worked perfectly. Lastly, I autopsied the drier and the compressor. The drier was surprising as to how little desiccant was in there. The compressor was impressive as to the technology that makes it work. Thanks for the videos.

[@PatrickTheJudge]

BMW tells you to remove the front wheel housing plastic piece. From there, you can perfectly reach the accumulator.

[@Generalusuer]

My compressor went out a couple years ago. and just fixed it recently. i tore the old one apart and found the center internal bearing shredded its bearing cage. I had symptoms of my hvac panel dying and popping fuses. I tried replacing the coil itself and it burned itself out again. got it all replaced in an hour now my ac is nice and crisp.

[@NNJJDD5427]

I have to change ac compressor in the summer, this video is going to be soo helpful, thank you so much for continuing making these great videos , you are the best! Keep up with the good work, your work has helped me countless times repairing my e46 and keeping it on the road. Thank you!

[@mickduffy]

Thank you for your wonderful knowledge. Great to see you back at it.

[@justincampbell9664]

Just wanted to say thanks for years of wonderful knowledge. Your videos make me confident in working on these beamers. I have an e53 & an e90. Cheers and thanks again!

[@jackpost760]

God I would have loved this video from you in 2012-2015 when I drove around my 323ci with no AC

[@ab-or2km]

! Not sure if you or any of viewer caught but you switch the line when connect back the accumulator, compare 29:12" to 31:20" ! I guess it might not affect the accumulator system since there is no specific IN / Out location . Overall Great job, Your video made me built up courage to take care of mine although I thought I should take it to the mechanic when A/C failed. I found your video more helpful compare to others since you show & do all steps & take your time to explain patiently compare to others that cut to next part & assume you know what they knew.

[@kevinbarry71]

Should also replace the two Schrader valves as a matter of course

[@chadriddle3517]

Jason , so glad you made this video I know one day I will be doing this an who better than to have you for guidance ! Thanks

[@lp2565]

Great video, Jason! Will be very useful in the future.

[@johnswartzbaugh5687]

Perfect timing. Mine just started making a lot of noise. Thanks!

[@billdeibner7105]

Update. I thought my new Denso compressor also had very little oil in it when I tried to drain it through the inlet and output. But when I opened up the oil plug (a 12 mm bolt on top) I got >120 ml out. It took a few minutes of draining.

[@seanpaul3050]

Exactly, he messed up in this video.

[@alvvarado]

So do i add back the same amount that was in my old compressor? But also with new pag oil? (Brand new denso compressor)

[@TheHeretic435]

Glad I paid a pro to install new ac comp in my e39. You gotta vacuum it out, and use that r2d2 machine

[@vonster22]

man.. i find myself wanting to replace mine..and it still works.........i always enjoy watching... i drive a 05 x3 e83...but its close enough

[@ddemier]

Love your videos. Make more please

[@MBilske]

Thank you! Video was very helpful.

[@gregcurtis3441]

Great video! Thank you.

[@NEWAGenTChannel]

thank you!

[@josesandoval9938]

Hi Jason, excellent videos as usual. I would like to know if the engine oil leak you found when removing the AC compresor was related to the valve cover gasget or vanos metal gasget? I have the same oil leak and could not find yet the source. Thank you.

[@michaelthomas5696]

Thank you for the video. Is there a video to check the compressor itself? My E46 325xi is blowing hot air but all the fuses checkout and the Freon is consistent (full & no leaks). Climate Control was replaced also. Thanks again.

[@Lt_X]

Hello instructor of all instructors, I have some questions regarding the ac compressor if you don't mind answering for me. When your compressor is bad, does it make a loud rattle sound? Like maybe similar to several marbles rolling around inside something metallic? If so, is it intermittent? Also will the rattle stop if ac is turned on? Will it get to a point where the rattle doesn't stop when turning ac on? A rattle loud enough for pedestrians to hear? One more question, will it throw a code? I have a 2002 BMW E39 530I M54 with 224k miles and yes a rattle I have been unable to track down, no codes read from my Foxwell NT510 Elite. Please help me diagnose it before it falls apart. Thank you for your videos, you're a great instructor. Very easy to understand and follow along, you explain everything so well. 🙏

[@davidkaye8712]

Slowly accending to BMW god status :)

[@hindflight]

Jason - Is it necessary to add compressor oil when recharging it? I didn't see you add any oil in the recharge video from 5 years ago, so was wondering. When re-charging mine I had a minor leak when the schrader valve got stuck and some oil sprayed out along with some freon... I will probably repeat the job in the near future. Thanks!

[@christopherohara9421]

Excellent information I was wondering do you have a video on installing you electric fan the standard electric fan wiring plug and play on not thanks

[@jessejaviangel]

When you replaced the seal and put a green on on, what is that yellow part right next to it? Is that a seal also?

[@smgees]

Jason..if you can help me with this..just do a flushed on the system and got 100ml of the oil..follow the Denso spec for the compressor 140ml and the engine become more heavy than before and drop the performance of the car..so now which is the best 50ml or 100ml like the previous one as i believe the guy that put the oil manually before didn't follow the correct spec for the oil and of course 140ml is not the good amount as the car become more heavy than before.. Cheers mate

[@AnthonnyAndria]

Hello, I have a not recurent problem with my e46 maybe you can have an answer, when I do a cold start, sometimes the engine wants to start and reach 1000rpm and instantly dies. I have to do few attempts to start. Once it have started, it runs perfectly and restarts normally. Changed the 2 camshaft position sensors, crankshaft position sensor, and maf sensor (maf failed one morning and check engine light came on). Thanks

[@danielver4484]

Would it be possible to remove the dryer without removing the bumper, just the headlight? Thanks

[@howlingmedia4354]

When I was performing a vacuum on my system, the oil from the vacuum machine went into the gauges?

[@howlingmedia4354]

I did everything you did in this video. I put in air pressure too check for leaks, and it holds pressure , but when I put that vacuum pump to it, it doesn't pull vacuum?

[@aw349]

i love you

[@kendtchileninjah5905]

Anybody know how to fix that metal piece that the two lines run to next to the radiator? I accidentally took the two bolts out and released all of my a/c. Tried to tighten it back up but air still comes out of it after I tried refilling. Does anyone know if I destroyed a seal or gasket by removing those two bolts?

[@eliasmatus2486]

I have a 2002 330xi and my clutch kicks in but no cold air comes out .. I was blowing cold and just suddenly stopped.. can you help

[@mahmoudelhendawi5435]

This compressor match with 6syl? Or 4syl

[@andy_actually_]

Can someone tell me how much oil goes in the compressor??? I’ve seen 120ml and 160ml. Please help

[@artofbeatspro]

What are the sizes of the o-rings and where did u get them? Also, where was the leak coming from when u pressured tested it the first time?

[@50sKid]

I’ll post the part number for the o ring kit later tonight. The leak was at the expansion valve. It wasn’t fully seated. Screws weren’t all the way in

[@Opiti72]

Hello, thanks again for this awesome video. You have helped us so much, you have no idea. My son and I are working in our 5th e46 coupe, 90% of our knowledge for sure came from you. Thanks again. @@50sKid Do you have the o ring kit number? I can't find them :( Thank you!

[@jeremyadams5702]

I got a question, I'm replacing my evaporator on the 2002 E46, and it had a leak, how much pag oil do i need to add? do i have to remove the compressor to measure how much is in it then add the remainder?

[@BaronVonWhosit]

No you don't. Google for assumed oil values in a car AC system. I think it's something like 1 oz in the drier, 2 oz in the evap and condenser and the rest in the compressor of a used system.

[@BIMMERZEITT]

Hey Jason. I was re-reading your thread about the pinkish paste in the M54 engine. Did you ever verify what the problem was? Was it a cracked head? I have a 2001 530i that has a similar sludge paste problem in the cooling system only. Oil is totally fine and clean. Overheats of course. Thanks! Rich

[@50sKid]

It took me a minute to remember the pinkish paste. That was on the X3 engine. Yeah I never did find out the cause for that beyond what’s in the videos, but I guess it was the head gasket

[@francob]

Where can I get the same machine that is shown in the vedio in order to know the pressure? Thanks in avance

[@50sKid]

I updated the video description with a link! It’s not exactly the same set that I have but it will work just the same.

[@BaronVonWhosit]

Autozone has them in their tool rental program

[@goose9238]

Couldn't you have replaced the clutch and bearing in your compressor? Instead of replacing the entire compressor? Thanks!

[@necromancer___3054]

What gloves are you using?

[@frankmfeb13]

i have 2 e46s and neither one of the acs work in them. heat works though.

[@billdeibner7105]

Did you notice how much oil was in the old accumulator?

[@50sKid]

Ah, yeah, I did forget to drain it didn’t I? Should have added that back in. But, I doubt it was very much.

[@billdeibner7105]

I’m getting ready to do the same job with a Denso accumulator. The instructions say “Remove the protective cap and add 20 cc (0.7 fl. oz.) of the proper refrigerant oil to the “OUT” side of the receiver drier.”, so should not have been much. Your video is going to make it easy 🙂.

[@kingbolen_official]

Hi , We want to send a obd2 scanner to you, Can you tell me the address?

[@unknownplauer9941]

What is the ticking noise in the background?

[@50sKid]

Lifter tick. I’m planning on replacing them in an upcoming video

[@unknownplauer9941]

@@50sKid i hope its easy😩

[@mattroche1377]

Why no flushing of the lines?

[@MrCt333]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/maXUfIaEaZaKitk Well you are supposed to replace the accumulator anytime the system is opened.

[@summerli2700]

The video is awesome. Would you like to try our Boslla 4modes headlight bulb? We wanna send it for you to try. I have contacted you by email. Hope to hear from you, thanks.

[@stevemitchell9848]

One word comes to mind ...overzealous...

[@jeffduncan7685]

If you actually going to do it right, when you flush the system as it calls for, there will be no oil left in the system. As far as what is illegal in CA I would not worry about it, odds are you broke some law anyway as the government owns you, your land, even your kids. Only thing not illegal there is taxes and they love to do that.

[@VaporEG]

Is it pronounced "bimmer" or "beemer"? Doesn't matter, I've just never heard anyone pronounce it like that.

[@cylonred8902]

In general - "Bimmer" = BMW car. "Beemer" = BMW Motorcycle. "Beamer" = teeny-bopper teen girls. Though Beamer and Beemer are largely pronounced the same. :)