E39 air-con condenser removal

[peaktorque]

My E39 535 has a hole in the air-con condenser and gas is leaking out! Great! Just a quick question with regards to removing it. Do I have to drain the engine cooling system and remove the rad, or can I get the condenser out through the front?

Thanks for any useful replies in advance

[David87M3]

I did mine. I would reccomend you have a helper. (my car is a 1999 523)
Aircon de gassed if there's any gas left in Bumper off, headlights out remove pusher fan and piping that feeds the air filter, you would also have to remove the metal wotk that go's from left to right side on front of the car (bit that has the aircon green sticker on)
Once you start taking bits off it becomes obvious what you have to remove.. I dod not drain the cooling system. Also tool the oppertunity to clear out the 6 years worth of crap on the cooling radiator.

It took me about 3 hours. Its not easy but its not hard either.

[peaktorque]

David87M3 said:

I did mine. I would reccomend you have a helper. (my car is a 1999 523)
Aircon de gassed if there's any gas left in Bumper off, headlights out remove pusher fan and piping that feeds the air filter, you would also have to remove the metal wotk that go's from left to right side on front of the car (bit that has the aircon green sticker on)
Once you start taking bits off it becomes obvious what you have to remove.. I dod not drain the cooling system. Also tool the oppertunity to clear out the 6 years worth of crap on the cooling radiator.

It took me about 3 hours. Its not easy but its not hard either.

Thanks, thats the answer I was looking for! I have noticed a rather large collection of Oak leaves in the cooling rad as well!