BMW 3 Series Air conditioning low-pressure hose replacement

Does your BMW 3 Series need a new air conditioning low-pressure hose?

The air conditioning (A/C) system in your BMW 3 Series involves a lot more than a button on the cabin centre console. Behind the scenes, the system comprises a compressor, condenser, evaporator, drier, relay, switches and refrigerant.

The system is essentially split into two sections - a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side and the refrigerant in your BMW 3 Series’s is transformed between a gas and liquid depending on whether it is under high or low pressure.

The refrigerant is circulated through the A/C system. It does this via tubes and hoses and as the refrigerant moves from the evaporator to the compressor in your BMW 3 Series it is under low-pressure, so the hose required is a low-pressure hose.

When refrigerant is returning through the low-pressure hose it is in a gaseous state.

The A/C low-pressure hose is made of metal and rubber and is located inside the engine bay. Due to heat, deterioration and age, the A/C low-pressure hose can develop holes and/or leaks.

When the A/C low-pressure hose develops a leak, this will render the A/C system useless. As soon as the A/C loses pressure, the system will not operate properly and it will stop providing cool air.

Signs the low-pressure hose may need replacing:

• There is no cold air circulation
• Audible noise of gas escaping from the engine bay
• Obvious damage to the hose
• A refrigerant leak around the hose

The A/C system is complex. Never attempt to carry out A/C repairs yourself. Always have a qualified air conditioning professional perform the repairs.

If you are aware of a leak, don’t continue to use your A/C. Keep it switched off and have it fixed as soon as possible. The system can’t operate effectively with leaks.

If you continue to use the A/C system with low refrigerant levels you will eventually damage other components within the system which can cost thousands to repair. It's much better to replace a hose now than a whole system later.

Any repairs on an A/C system requires the emptying of refrigerant and refilling again, this does add extra cost to the service which cannot be avoided.

Book an AutoGuru qualified A/C mechanic to replace your BMW 3 Series's low-pressure hose so you can succumb to that cool breeze once again.