Potential New Order - should I?

An Air Con/Refrigeration Engineer has given the answer re is it an air con issue or not 🤷🏼‍♂️

Pond said:
That's very bizarre. Sounds like a 'spitting' kind of noise, like something relieving pressure. It isn't the A/C that I do know!
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Stevo7682 said:
Having watched the video Andy i am in the yes camp of it being the compressor engaging and disengaging.
Stephen.
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As a life-long air con engineer and working on cars for some of that time, that noise SHOULD NOT be coming from the A/C. It is difficult to hear exactly what the noise is but if it is anything to do with the A/C then there is something wrong.
 
The soothsayer google seems to think its possibly needs a full check & recharge, low gas it says can cause the issue?? But maybe @Pond can shed further light?
I've had 4 Z3s with AC and never heard it. 🤷‍♂️
 
For one thing, the a/c compressor clutch shouldn't engage if the internal fan is set to '0' (ie off). This is to prevent frosting of the evaporator coil and the system cycling on it's low pressure switch (or frost sensor if it has one). It is also pointless running an a/c system with no air to cool or dehumidify.
These cars run on R134a refrigerant, which is actually a 'medium temperature' refrigerant. It has been widely used (until very recently) in refrigeration equipment which maintain approx 0-4c temperatures. So, in reality, your cars don't have a/c; they have 'fridges! :)

I will admit I am not 'au fait' with the nuances of the Z3, but the above should be the case on any car with a/c.
The only 'noise' you should hear from the A/C system is a 'click' as the clutch engages and occasionally a faint 'rushing' type of noise at the expansion valve (near the bulkhead somewhere which can sometimes be heard inside the cabin). This can become slightly louder if the system is low of refrigerant, but has enough to continue to operate. Not loud enough to be heard over a running engine with the bonnet open, though. It would be constant, not just a quick 'hiss' every so often.

The noise in the video (my PC speakers are not the best admittedly) is far too loud to be anything a/c related, unless there is a problem with either the drive belt slipping momentarily when the clutch is engaged, or the compressor itself has a major problem.

Of course without actually seeing what it is doing, the above can only be an educated guess.
 
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Having studied the video again, several times, watching the compressor clutch as much as is possible; I think the clutch is faulty (or possibly the compressor). Although I haven't seen it for many years, it looks (and sounds) like the plates on the magnetic clutch are loose and rattling when engaging and disengaging.
Really hard to tell, though, from a few seconds of video with the camera waving about, poor sound quality and old tired ears. ;)
 
Sajk said:
Does the air con work? I guess you need to visit the car again.
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The clutch was spinning in the video, so yes it does 'work'.
 
By work I mean emit properly chilled air. The only real measure of working.
 
Nice looking 3.0 manual in Ulverston for 9k ish on Facebook. 42k miles under BMW z3 buy/sell cars and spare parts only group.
 
Hi All, just wanted to share that I purchased the Z3, specifically the 2002 model 3.0 litre engine with 39k miles on the clock. Really pleased with the purchase, condition is excellent and drives beautifully, I've had a few SLK's and a TT previously but wow the Z3 is by far the best handing car I've owned, feels like it can take corners any speed!

Big thank you to everyone's advice on the forum, was greatly appreciated.

Here's a picture on the day I picked it up, hard top roof on to my disappointment as was nice weather but had to be on to get it home!

Z3.webp
 
Congratulations… may the z force be with you.👍
 
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