1. Home
  2. BMW Cars and SUVs
  3. 1998 BMW 328i Overheating when I turn on A/C

1998 BMW 328i Overheating when I turn on A/C

I just changed my water pump, radiator, main belt and secondary belt and pulleys. The car runs fine without the A/C, but when I use the A/C it runs cold, cool, room temp ,cold again and then just regular air. I usually turn it off and roll down the windows.

Yesterday it was in the 90s and the A/C was running cool, not COLD, after about 20 minutes the temp gauge was all the way in the red. I pulled over and looked under the hood, everything was fine. The fan was running, the radiator fluid was fine, I cant figure it out.

Do I need to redo the freon, or is my compressor shot. Just did these replacements and didnt expect this problem. What should my next step be.

Reply to
BrooklynBMW
Loading thread data ...

I think you have two issues, you need to charge the freon -- not really freon anymore -- and you have a badly worn fan clutch.

If the fan clutch is an issue, then the heat should rise at low speeds and drop as the speed increases.

PS The Red Zone is very problematic for the M50 motors. You risk cracking the aluminum head when you let the temp needle get to red.

Reply to
Jeff Strickland

Noticed lately the air con runs only cool, no way near as very cold as it used to. Takes ages for the car to chill down now. Please tell me what is likley to be wrong. Can it be fixed. How much is it going to cost. Main BMW Dealer, Specialist AC or other ?

Thanks, Mal Vicars.

Reply to
Mal Vicars

Will do the freon charge this weekend, and then ask my mechanic to look at the fan clutch issue. I may have changed that as well, but not 100% sure.

Thanks

Jeff Strickland wrote:

Reply to
BrooklynBMW via CarKB.com

On my 528 it's very obvious when the fan clutch locks up by the extra fan noise.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

But Dave, his clutch is not locking at all, and no air moves over the motor to help cool it off.

Reply to
Jeff Strickland

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.