BMW 3 (E46). Manual — part 292

WARNING!

Do not discharge/charge the A/C
system without proper equipment and
training. Damage to the vehicle and
personal injury may result.

Remove housing for interior ventilation
microfilter.

Remove upper cover and microfilter.

Open wiring harness loom (A) and
remove wires.

Unfasten screws (B) and remove
lower housing.

To remove heater bulkhead cover:

Remove engine compartment side
trim panel. Turn locking clips (A)
and slide trim panel up.

Remove heater bulkhead cover
mounting screws (B) and lift cover
off bulkhead.

Working in right rear of engine
compartment, detach A/C lines:

Remove A/C recharging port
bracket mounting nut (A).

Remove allen bolts (B) at bulkhead.
Release and plug open A/C lines.

Working inside right side of cowl, pull up
on lever (arrow) and detach right air
intake flap from blower housing.

-

Working in right front of IHKA
housing, detach double pipe (A/C
line) from expansion valve.

Lay double pipe aside.

Plug up open A/C ports.

-

Remove expansion valve mounting
bolts and remove valve.

-

Installation is reverse of removal.

CAUTION!

Always replace O-rings when
reconnecting refrigerant lines.

-

Recharge system following
equipment manufacturer's
instructions.

A/C system fluid specifications

Fluid

Quantity

R-134a refrigerant

740 ± 25 g
(2 lb ± 1 oz.)

Refrigerant oil

PAG oil

A/C evaporator, removing and
installing

-

Following manufacturer's
instructions, connect an approved
refrigerant recovery/recycling
/recharging unit to A/C system and
discharge system.

-

Drain engine coolant. See

170

Radiator and Cooling System

.

-

Remove complete IHKA housing as
described earlier.

-

Remove heater core as described
earlier.

-

Working on left side of IHKA
housing:

Detach evaporator temperature
sensor electrical harness connector
and pull out sensor.

Detach wiring harness from
housing.

Detach linkage from fresh air
distribution motor.

-

Working on right side of IHKA
housing:

Unclip and remove fresh
air/recirculation motor.

Remove evaporator cover mounting
screw and remove cover.

-

Detach and remove microswitch at
side of IHKA housing.

-

Working in front of IHKA housing:

Remove blower housing mounting
screws. Lift out blower housing.

Remove double coolant pipe.

-

Pry off evaporator housing retaining
clips and remove cover. Pull
evaporator and expansion valve out
of bottom of housing.

-

If installing new evaporator, switch
over expansion valve. Use new
sealing O-rings.

CAUTION!

Do not bend cooling fins on
evaporator. If necessary, straighten
with fin comb.

-

Installation is reverse of removal.

Make sure electrical harnesses are
routed as before.

Align guides and clips correctly.

Recharge system following
equipment manufacturer's
instructions.

A/C system fluid specifications

Fluid

Quantity

R-134a refrigerant

740 ± 25 g
(2 lb ± 1 oz.)

Refrigerant oil

PAG oil