BMW X3 Quiz

Air conditioner refrigerant

In this manual: Air conditioner refrigerant
General information on preservation measures — 1Body cavity sealing — 1Body corrosion protection — 1Body repair instructions — 1Support members — 1Luggage compartment floor — 1Wheel wells — 1Side frame and door pillars — 1Roof outer skin — 1Dash cowl — 1Front trim panel — 1Rear trim panel — 1Side panels — 1Front side doors — 1Rear side doors — 1Front lid — 1Rear lid — 1Other flaps — 1Body special tools — 1General information — 1Handling brake fluids — 1Brake testing and bleeding — 1Front brakes — 1Rear brakes — 1Master brake cylinder — 1Brake lines — 1Brake booster — 1Electrical components/wear indicator — 1Parking brake — 1Mechanical/hydraulic components — 1Electronic components — 1Brakes — 1Front brake — 1Pedal mounting block — 1Brake pedal with linkage — 1Clutch pedal with linkage — 1Accelerator pedal actuation — 1Pedals — 1Specified grease — 1Propeller shaft, general — 1Propeller shaft assembly — 1Center console assembly — 1Front propeller shaft — 1Propeller shaft — 1Propeller shaft complete — 1Front axle repair instructions — 1Front axle suspension — 1Front sub-frame — 1Struts with rubber mounts — 1Wheel bearings and stub axle — 1Spring strut — 1Spring with suspension — 1Stabilizer bar — 1Front axle gearbox — 1Output shaft — 1Front axle — 1General information on high temperature multi-purpose grease — 1Rear axle repair instructions — 1Final drive with cover — 1Final drive mounting — 1Output shafts — 1Rear sub-frame — 1Control arms and struts — 1Axle mounting — 1Wheel bearings — 1Shock absorber — 1With suspension — 1Stabilizer bar — 1Rear axle — 1General information on final drive oil — 1Approved final drive oils for front and rear axle final drives with and without limited slip or viscous coupling — 1Final drive oil for bmw m1 motorsport coupe — 1Operating fluids as of 11/2015 — 1Brake pad replacement reminder — 1Emissions maintenance reminder — 1Maintenance service reminder — 1Tire pressure monitor system reminder — 1Description — 1Troubleshooting — 1Ignition wires, spark plugs — 1Ignition coil — 1Electronic switching or control units — 1Preheating relay — 1Preheater plugs — 1Alternator with drive and mounting — 1Controller — 1Starter with mounting — 1Starter lead — 1Engine wiring loom — 1Oil pressure/oil temperature/oil gauge — 1Switches and relays — 1Engine electrical system — 1Cabin air filter — 1Cabin air filter applications — 1Operating fluids - air conditioning and heating — 1Air conditioner refrigerant — 1Refrigeration oil — 1Note, overview components climate control — 1Heater with operation — 1Auxiliary. heater with control elements — 1Nozzles and outlets — 1Microfilter — 1Air conditioning, leak detection — 1Ac housing/evaporator, switching elements — 1Compressor — 1Condenser and dryer with lines — 1Heating and air conditioning — 1Front axle repair instructions — 1Front axle suspension — 1Front sub-frame — 1Struts with rubber mounts — 1Wheel bearings and stub axle — 1Spring strut — 1Spring with suspension — 1Stabilizer bar — 1Front axle gearbox — 1Front axle — 1General information on high temperature multi-purpose grease — 1Integrated suspension systems repair instructions — 1Front control and suspension elements — 1Rear control and suspension elements — 1Electrical components — 1Electronic damping force adjustment — 1Integrated suspension systems — 1Approved hydraulic fluids — 1Rear axle repair instructions — 1Final drive — 1Final drive with cover — 1Final drive mounting — 1Output shafts — 1Rear sub-frame — 1Control arms and struts — 1Axle mounting — 1Wheel bearings — 1Shock absorber — 1Springs with suspension — 1Stabilizer bar — 1Rear axle — 1General information on final drive oil — 1Approved final drive oils for front and rear axle final drives with and without limited slip or viscous coupling — 1Final drive oil for bmw m1 motorsport coupe — 1Operating fluids as of 11/2015 — 1Electronic chassis alignment — 1Mechanical steering gear — 1Steering gear with servo unit — 1Steering arms, tie rods, steer. damper — 1Steering column — 1Steering wheel — 1Steering wheel for airbag — 1Pump and oil supply — 1Steering and wheel alignment — 1Wheels — 1Disc wheels (rims) — 1Tires — 1Wheels with tires — 1Tire mounting paste — 1Engine mounting — 1Transmission suspension, automatic. transmission — 1Engine and gearbox suspension — 1Transmission in general — 1Transmission case, oil sump — 1Extension housing, bearings, seal — 1Mechanical attachments — 1Hydr/el control components/elements — 1Oil pump — 1Shift valves, parking lock — 1Torque converter — 1Automatic transmission — 1Automatic transmission fluid for zf-transmission GA8HP45Z / GA8HP50Z / GA8HP70Z / GA8HP90Z / GA8P70H / GA8P75H / GA8HP75Z — 1General information on automatic transmission fluids — 1Approved automatic transmission fluids for initial fillings and correcting fluid levels — 1Checking transmission fluid level — 1Transmission fluid change intervals (if applicable) — 1Transfer case, general — 1Transfer box — 1Transmission shafts — 1Transfer box special tools — 1Transfer box in general (atc 45l) — 1Transmission in general — 1Bearing in housing, sealing ring — 1SELF-DIAGNOSTICS DTCS — 1
~3min read

1.0 AIR CONDITIONER REFRIGERANT

FREONÂ

The refrigerant Freon R12 is used in most BMW automobiles with an air conditioner up through the 1992 model year. It has a boiling point of -29.8ºC (sea level), at which the refrigerant is transformed from a liquid into a gaseous state.

This boiling point, however, is not constant. It is displaced in the direction of higher temperatures as pressure increases.

Freon R12 complies with the requirements expected of a safety refrigerant. Freon is not combustible and does not turn into an explosive mixture with air. It is also odorless and non-toxic. Conformance with certain safety regulations is essential to the handling of refrigeration systems.

There are currently no BMW-approved alternative refrigerants to R12.

Safety Warning

Avoid any contact with liquid refrigerant, since this could cause frostbite. Protect eyes with safety goggles and hands with gloves. Contact a doctor without delay in case of an accident.

Freon R12 is heavier than air, so this refrigerant must not be discharged in closed rooms. There is danger of asphyxiation in a sunken work area (pit). Do not store bottles of refrigerant at temperatures above 113ºF/45 ºC or heat them.

Never weld on or near a system filled with refrigerant. Heat could cause excessive pressure and an explosion. In addition, Freon R12 will decompose at high temperature or when subjected to an open flame. The resulting decomposition products would be hazardous to health.

Make sure you read the container label instructions completely prior to use.

Obtain and use the correct type of refrigerant recovery/recycling machine. Follow the directions included in the machine's instruction manual.

HFC-134A

The refrigerant HFC-134a (also known as R-134a) is used as of the following models with an air conditioner:

1992 E32/M30 from March 1992 production
1993 E34, E36, 325iC. E31, E32 from August 1992 production

This environmentally friendly refrigerant performs similar functions as Freon R12, but the refrigerants Freon R12 and R-134a must NEVER be mixed or combined in any way under any circumstances.

Safety Warning

Always wear eye protection and gloves while handling refrigerant or servicing air conditioning systems.

Avoid breathing R-134a and lubricant vapor or mist. Exposure may irritate eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Use only approved service equipment to discharge A/C systems. If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service.

If refrigerant or compressor oil contacts the skin or eyes, large quantities of cool water should be used to flush the affected area.

Never heat a refrigerant container with an open flame. Keep all refrigerants away from open flames, since burning refrigerant can produce poisonous gas.

Under no circumstances should R-134a service equipment or vehicle A/C systems be pressure tested with air/R- 134a mixtures. Some mixtures of air and R-134a have been shown to be combustible at elevated pressures.

The use of compressed air (shop air) for leak detection in R-134a systems could result in fire or explosion causing injury or property damage. In addition, introducing compressed air into A/C systems or components contaminates the system and/or refrigerant with moisture.

Obtain and use the correct type of refrigerant recovery/recycling machine. Follow the directions included in the machine's instruction manual.

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