My A/C issue

[bombur]

So thought I would get round to asking about this as have sorted a few other things now. A/C leak as you can see in below pictures. Have no idea what the bit is called and if to fix will need a lot of new parts or just one? Im assuming after reading on here it could be expensive and if so will probably leave as don't really use it., but I do like a 'complete' car to help with my OCD lol. Any help and advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Rudyrov]

Most AC joints or connections use green o-rings as a sealing method. All you need is the appropriate O-ring dipped in a tiny bit of lube (compressor oil) and clean surfaces. Of course, you need to also process the freon and then draw down the system and recharge the system.

 

[bombur]

Most AC joints or connections use green o-rings as a sealing method. All you need is the appropriate O-ring dipped in a tiny bit of lube (compressor oil) and clean surfaces. Of course, you need to also process the freon and then draw down the system and recharge the system.

I would assume a pro would need to do the work?

 

[Mario]

I have changed the condenser and the rings myself twice and it´s perfectly doable if you are handy with the spanners then had it recharged at my local garage, condensers are not that expensive I have used Valeo and Nissens, you need to remove the fans radiator cowling radiator etc to get good access, Iand also the undertray I think I did it without removing the front bumper but can´t remember for sure, access to remove the condenser if you have to is fiddly you need to finesse your access to the condenser bolts from the front of the car I think there´s 6 of them and 4 have weird access

 

[bombur]

I have changed the condenser and the rings myself twice and it´s perfectly doable if you are handy with the spanners then had it recharged at my local garage, condensers are not that expensive I have used Valeo and Nissens, you need to remove the fans radiator cowling radiator etc to get good access, Iand also the undertray I think I did it without removing the front bumper but can´t remember for sure, access to remove the condenser if you have to is fiddly you need to finesse your access to the condenser bolts from the front of the car I think there´s 6 of them and 4 have weird access

Thanks @Mario guess I need to get a garage to remove whats left first? @colb maybe a nice job for zedshedcymru?

 

[colb]

Spanner work will be ok but the system will have to be drained at a garage before taking anything apart on an aircon machine. Must do some research into where all the O rings are. If the Radiator has to come out will have to catch the coolant we just put in it for using again.
Just had alook on oem parts site here https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CM12-EUR-01-2002-Z3-BMW-Z3_19&diagId=64_0717
Can't see the connections as shown in your pictures but O ring sizes are shown as 5 needed on the lower part of the system. Larger pair at the top of the system.

 

[mrscalex]

I have a very nice mobile air con man in Swindon who I've known for about 20 years. He comes over and does the fault finding for a very modest fee then let's me do the fix before coming back to re-gas. He found a very slow leak from the compressor the other day that wasn't showing up under the UV light. So he got an electronic stethoscope out and finally found it on a second pass. I'd have no chance of finding that on my own.

 

[bombur]

I do know a guy who owns a garage that does elecs and A/c I think. Now I know its possible to diy fix I may take it there for them to fault find incase there is more to it before getting to work on it

 

[Rudyrov]

That depends on your abilities, comfort level, and equipment. If you know how to replace o rings then you can try, and then have a shop do the recharging... All up to you. Since you are asking though, I assume this is new to you. Do you consider yourself capable to do this is the question I would be asking?

I would assume a pro would need to do the work?

 

[bombur]

That depends on your abilities, comfort level, and equipment. If you know how to replace o rings then you can try, and then have a shop do the recharging... All up to you. Since you are asking though, I assume this is new to you. Do you consider yourself capable to do this is the question I would be asking?

Thanks for this, from other threads on here I initially thought anything to do with AC needed to be done by a pro. But from the replies here I need to get a garage/AC person to remove the gas, then after the work is done get them to recharge.