BMW 335 AC evaporator replacement
BMW 335 models have a known weak AC evaporator issue, which requires a lengthy repair process. The local BMW dealer keeping 9 units in stock reflects how common this problem is.
- The repair starts by evacuating the R134 freon using a Snap-On AC service machine, then removing everything inside the car forward of the steering wheel - the most time-consuming part of the job.
- The HVAC control box and old evaporator are removed, with oil discoloration visible where the evaporator has been leaking, before a new unit is installed.
- After reassembly, the freon is refilled, the steering angle sensor is calibrated, codes are checked and cleared, and the car is test driven - all work performed by Brandon, a master certified BMW technician.
Replacing a BMW 335 AC evaporator requires evacuating the refrigerant, removing everything inside the car forward of the steering wheel, and taking out the HVAC control box. The old evaporator is swapped for a new one, then the system is reassembled, recharged with refrigerant, and the steering angle sensor is recalibrated before a test drive.
These late model BMW’s 335’s seem to have a weak AC evaporator. We seldom see evaporator problems on cars this new but these models had a weak unit. Our local BMWdealer has 9 of these units in stock, so that tells you something. Unfortunately, this is not a simply repair. The first step is to evacuate the r132 freon from the air conditioning system using our Snap-On AC service machine. Then everything inside the car forward of the steering wheel is removed (this is the time consuming process). Next the HVAC control box is removed. The old evaporator is then removed. You can see the oil discoloration where the evaporator has been leaking. A new evaporator is installed and then, as they say in the repair manual, installation is the reverse of dis-assembly. Finally the freon is refilled, the steering angle sensor in the steering wheel is calibrated, codes are checked and cleared in the relevant control units and the car is test driven. Work is being done by Brandon, our master certified BMW tech.