So in an effort to only get genuine bmw parts and keep to the budget, i took a gamble when sourcing a replacement air con compressor.
As you've probably seen in the previous posts, the impact damage bent the chassis leg into the air con compressor, busting it and the bracket in to process.
As the N55 engine was used in a number of engines you'd expect to be able to find a used compressor fairly easy. turns out there was a number of configurations of aux belt on these engines depending on model used in. As such there are a few different compressors available. And sod's law the one i needed wasn't that common.
To add to this from 2013 BMW had moved to the new refrigerant R1234yf ahead of the EU regulations to mandate the use.
Quick background: The older R134a had been found to be contribute towards global warming.
When I mounted the bracket I realised I was missing 2 long bolts to hold compressor in place securely and ordered new ones to pick up after the weekend. Only to find them a day later but couldn't cancel order. £5 wasted. Top tip, do not throw anything away when stripping down the car (more on that another time).
As you've probably seen in the previous posts, the impact damage bent the chassis leg into the air con compressor, busting it and the bracket in to process.
As the N55 engine was used in a number of engines you'd expect to be able to find a used compressor fairly easy. turns out there was a number of configurations of aux belt on these engines depending on model used in. As such there are a few different compressors available. And sod's law the one i needed wasn't that common.
To add to this from 2013 BMW had moved to the new refrigerant R1234yf ahead of the EU regulations to mandate the use.
Quick background: The older R134a had been found to be contribute towards global warming.
The compressors listed above are for a pre-LCI car. There are two listed as they switched to R1234yf.
The compressor listed above is for the LCI car which was only offered with R1234yf.
I'm told there is some slight differences in the pipe work between R134a and R1234yf due to operating temperatures and pressures. But on the whole near identical.
The compressor is made by Denso and by checking the compressors model and series you can see they are the same type and rated for same use.
So seeing as a new one was a £1k and the newish one was £300 I opted for the LCI model going cheap for £150 after confirming fitment.
Here's what it looked like after i removed the old compressor
(Above) As you can see the alternator needed some cleaning up
(Below) Side by side comparison of old and LCI compressor
I cleaned up the alternator pulley and vibration damper with a wire brush tool on a Dremel.
When I mounted the bracket I realised I was missing 2 long bolts to hold compressor in place securely and ordered new ones to pick up after the weekend. Only to find them a day later but couldn't cancel order. £5 wasted. Top tip, do not throw anything away when stripping down the car (more on that another time).
Below is my first attempt at routing the belt.
A quick Google, and got the correct routing.
Below you can see new compressor in situ with minimum clearance.
After this I cleared the fault codes & attempted to fire her up - No joy. Also I could see the vibration damper had a slight wobble too. Double No Joy. That will need replacing too and they aren't cheap.
