Re: WTS: E90 Pre facelift Air Con compressor
Guys, I want to share with you my experience for repairing my car today. Reputable workshop doesn't mean 100% risk free.
Day One: Which is yesterday, I went in to a reputable workshop at Ubi to complain the noise while idling. The problem is when inside the car when idling, I can hear the sound as " let let let let" , not loud but I find it irritating. The senior technician from the workshop, who rectifies the problem, told me that it could be the bearings or the alternator. And ensure me that the repair cost is between $100-$200. So I arranged the next morning for appointment.
Day Two: Not the same technician who starting to re-rectify the problem again, he instructed a young technician (looks like not even 21 years old) to step on the accelerator for noise finding. And this young chap than step hard on the accelerator causing the engine to roar very loud. He was than shouted at to stop performing the crap. * Disappointment 1 *
Than after, he changed the bearings for me. Showing me the old bearing by spinning the wheel, he proudly claimed that it is the caused of the noise. Soon after when we rectify the problem, the noise is still can be heard. * Disappointment 2 *
Coming on next, he changed the alternator, and noise still persists. And this time, finger was pointed to the compressor. I have been tolerated the noise for very long, so I give the green light to have the compressor to be replaced. Out of the topic, this inexperience young chap is struggling by removing and digging out the gearbox seal from another BMW coupe. To closely watch my car, I decided not to leave the workshop even though it may takes 3 hours.
After 3 hours, my compressor was changed, noise was eliminated, but another problem arise. When the air con was switched on, the car inside blower sounds out very loud. Very much worst than before it was repaired. The technician tries to explain to me that it is perfectly normal. Because my new air con compressor is powerful, and my coil is too old to “take in the power”. He told me to bear it for a couple of weeks; the sound may eventually fade away.
If it doesn’t, fan coil will need to be replaced and it will take 3 working days to repair.
Trusting him, I paid my repair cost and drive away.
After travelling back home to the south, I parked my vehicle. When its time to fetch my wife from work, I switched on the car engine and air-con. The air-con takes more 15 minutes to be cold. And it has never take that long before.
Evening, I drove back to the workshop battling from a heavy jam at PIE to complain the problem. At the workshop, both the same technician and senior technician attended to me. They both sit in my car for a few minutes to check on the problem. And now they claim it is the aircon lacking of gas and further more, the lacking of gas also caused the loud rattling noise from the aircon blower. * Disappointment 3 *
I was told to come back the next morning because their gas cylinder is empty and they will need to order a new one. Leaving no choice, I will need to follow up again tomorrow. Hoping my problem can be solved without costing me additionally.
