Useless Aircon/Heating on my E46

[kingofherts]

Can anyone help please?

I have a 2001 E46 Convertible with the most pathetic heating/aircon.

You have to have it on full blast to get anything worthwhile out of the vents/windscreen and it's really annoying!!

I have been thinking about getting Kwikfit to re-gas my aircon as I have a voucher and it needs doing as it isn't cold anymore, what I want to know is will the re-gas give my system more oomph pressure-wise, or does it just make the aircon cold again?

Sorry if this sounds stupid, but it's really doing my head in!

Thanks

[BIG BAVARIAN]

It will require a leak down pressure test for any leaks before re-gassing,basically a vac pump is attached to your pipework,where all the air is sucked out of the system, thus creating a vacuum and the R134a refrigerant gas is introduced,they should also add a special dye that shows leaks in the pipework/joints,under ultra violet light,your aircon should be used at least 30 mins every month all year round,with the heater in winter obviously,to keep the rubber seals lubricated.

[Beamish]

Check your cabin/pollen filters. If these are not changed regularly they can reduce the airflow to the vents dramatically.

[Speed addicted]

Beamish said:

Check your cabin/pollen filters. If these are not changed regularly they can reduce the airflow to the vents dramatically.

+1 Changing the filter on my E36 transformed the heater.

[anonymous-user]

Does anyone have the part no and retailers for a filter for 2002 e46 touring?

[anonymous-user]

Just in case anyone interested ive found the part no for most e46 pollen / microfilters: 64319071935

OE part is about 30 from BMW and OEM by Mahle about 20 from eBay. Is Mahle the OE manufacturer?

Over past few days hot air setting even at 32 degrees produces moderately warm air at best. Seems to have happened when the weather got cold as car is outside. Could replacement of the filter help this or do you think its a more serious issue?

[Speed addicted]

On mine the fan on the highest setting produced a gentle draft, it ddin't heat or cool properly as air couldn't get through.
For £30 and a little of your time I'd change it. It may be a more serious problem but I'd do the easy and cheap stuff first!

[anonymous-user]

yep thats what i thought too.

[kingofherts]

UPDATE!

Just replaced my pollen filter and.........

Nothing.

No improvement!! HELP!!

[john_p]

Is it heating that's a problem, or just the air con?

[kingofherts]

both

[phelix]

Sounds like a bad fan or fan control resistor... Does changing the fan speed manually have any discernable effect?

[Lost soul]

kingofherts said:

both

how can it be both , have you looked out the window latley

[kingofherts]

phelix said:

Sounds like a bad fan or fan control resistor... Does changing the fan speed manually have any discernable effect?

It is noticeable when you turn the fan up and down, but it seems to go from pathetic to slightly less pathetic..

[Speed addicted]

Does the fan appear to be working properly or is it behaving strangely at all? The hedgehog resistor on my 330 failed giving some odd problems with fan speeds. The digital display would be going up without the fan responding (if I remember correctly, this was about 3 years ago).