[lesenard]

Just 378 miles on it, and had a pretty serious noise coming out the engine when I switched the AC on (noise was coming from the area around the alternator). Noise went away when I switched off the AC, but started again after a while, even with no AC.
Anyone heard of this?
Please let me know

[dxb335d]

not sure mate, best to get it straight to the stealers for them to diagnose!!


soemthing may have come loose and may be rubbing when A/C is turned on


Carlos

[NFS]

Originally Posted by lesenard

Just 378 miles on it, and had a pretty serious noise coming out the engine when I switched the AC on (noise was coming from the area around the alternator). Noise went away when I switched off the AC, but started again after a while, even with no AC.
Anyone heard of this?
Please let me know

Just a though, but my old 320cd's made a different noise dependant on temperature.

On colder days they were noticably louder and more choppy.

Given that we have had a fairly warm spell and today is a bit cooler - could that be it?

[silverbmwz3]

mikem had it as a loan car?

[dxb335d]

so its deffo not a engine running tap or knock etc? something outside the engine like an ancillary of some sort

[ShereKhan]

Originally Posted by lesenard

Just 378 miles on it, and had a pretty serious noise coming out the engine when I switched the AC on (noise was coming from the area around the alternator). Noise went away when I switched off the AC, but started again after a while, even with no AC.
Anyone heard of this?
Please let me know

Hmm AFAIK the compressor for the aircon should be running all the time if you have climate control.

Wonder if they have screwed up the lubricant oil for the compressor at the factory.

Take it to the dealer or call out BMW assist to look at it.

[ES-Jet]

At 23,000 miles there are no strange noises emanating from my 320d (apart from when I'm singing at the wheel).

Sounds like you need to go see the dealer.

[lesenard]

Originally Posted by lesenard

Just 378 miles on it, and had a pretty serious noise coming out the engine when I switched the AC on (noise was coming from the area around the alternator). Noise went away when I switched off the AC, but started again after a while, even with no AC.
Anyone heard of this?
Please let me know

Thanks guys, the car was taken on a flat-bed on Saturday eve, is at the closest dealer since Monday morning and I received one call on Monday nite to tell me that they did not know what the problem was yet. I am starting to get very frustrated!!!

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

so its deffo not a engine running tap or knock etc? something outside the engine like an ancillary of some sort

??

[lesenard]

It was the AC compressor (apparently BMW knows about it) and it is being replaced.

[Aristomenis]

I suppose you didn't pay anything, right?

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Aristomenis

I suppose you didn't pay anything, right?

he didnt ''pay attention'' to any of my posts thats fo sho

[squeezebm]

Compressor for the A/C,sounds right make sure they get it sorted and for nothing

[ShereKhan]

If you plan on owning the car for a long period just keep an eye on the air con. They may have had to top up the refridgerant as there may have been a leak (maybe at the compressor). However there are some filters (can't remember their tech name). These filters do not like contamination and are very expensive to replace when moisture gets in (when there is a leak).

Ask for a detailed report on what has been done. To see if any of the carbon filters have been changed and that a regas has been done - They should be able to give you the pressure readings of the regas.

[squeezebm]

Originally Posted by ShereKhan

If you plan on owning the car for a long period just keep an eye on the air con. They may have had to top up the refridgerant as there may have been a leak (maybe at the compressor). However there are some filters (can't remember their tech name). These filters do not like contamination and are very expensive to replace when moisture gets in (when there is a leak).

Ask for a detailed report on what has been done. To see if any of the carbon filters have been changed and that a regas has been done - They should be able to give you the pressure readings of the regas.

Sherekan. its spelt refrigerant if the Compressor has failed they will be re-charging the system with new refrigerant,and a customer knowing what the suction and discharge pressures on there A/C system will be of no benefit to them at all,also, all in-line Driers will be changed as a matter of course during any A/C work . Lesson over - I thank you

[BC4J]

Originally Posted by squeezebm

Sherekan. its spelt refrigerant if the Compressor has failed they will be re-charging the system with new refrigerant,and a customer knowing what the suction and discharge pressures on there A/C system will be of no benefit to them at all,also, all in-line Driers will be changed as a matter of course during any A/C work . Lesson over - I thank you

ShereKhan - you could take squeezebm to task for his incorrect usage of 'there' in the aforementioned passage - as well as the misspelling of your username - but I'm sure you will desist from doing so. Lesson redundant - adiós.

[Hotcoupe]

We have some pedants in da (the) house!

[ShereKhan]

squeeze sometimes its a bit hard typing on my sub micro 8" notebook. So I do get the odd typo.

I've only mentioned the refrigerant and drier as I have been stung on a 2.5 year old car had to pay up £400.

So I think its a good idea to have some evidence that it was done right first time and not end up with a big bill later on in ownership.

Stealers been stealers don't always fit everything inline such as driers. The best people to deal with are air con specialists. They know what and when to change the right bits.

[lesenard]

Well Guys. After a week at a pretty big BMW garage in London (I could mention the name if you ask!) I finally picked my car up and returned the Vauxhall with a big smile.
Of course, not a penny asked - fortunately after only 348 miles!
Drove the car today, the AC was working fine for about 25 miles until it completely gave up - the fan seems to work fine and the noise is gone.
This sounds like a F...ing joke, but I am getting pretty - let say - unhappy.
I am taking my 2 baby girls and dog on a very long trip in a week time, and am very concerned.

[330cdsport]

Time for a gallon of petrol and a box of matches

[vivekk]

Originally Posted by lesenard

Well Guys. After a week at a pretty big BMW garage in London (I could mention the name if you ask!) I finally picked my car up and returned the Vauxhall with a big smile.
Of course, not a penny asked - fortunately after only 348 miles!
Drove the car today, the AC was working fine for about 25 miles until it completely gave up - the fan seems to work fine and the noise is gone.
This sounds like a F...ing joke, but I am getting pretty - let say - unhappy.
I am taking my 2 baby girls and dog on a very long trip in a week time, and am very concerned.

lesenard, I suggest you tell the dealer just how unhappy you are with the car now.

Tell them exactly what you will be doing in a week's time & what you expect them to do. Put it in writing to the stealership's manager & ask for a written reply, to be provided within a (short) given period of time.

If you are unhappy with their response, then tell them so & ask for THEM to put you through to BMW UK, from the dealership.
Don't let them fog you off by saying you'll have to ring BMW UK from somewhere else, because they can't let you use their phone line- they might 'try that on'! (I know, because it's happened to me! )

BMW UK will usually try to sort out customer complaints, if they know you have a relatively acute problem & are contacting them from the dealer in question. (I know, because I've done it! )

Luckily, I haven't had any problems with current my car or with the current dealer I deal with. However, when I've had a problem with the provision of a product or a service, the mention of 'solicitor' has usually sorted the problem out quite quickly.

It might seem a little 'excessive', but unfortunately it's a word I seem to use more & more these days!

If you're still unhappy, then tell the dealer you're making a formal complaint about them to BMW UK, complain to BMW UK & take your business elsewhere.

Most customers moan like hell, but don't bother to actually make any formal complaint about it to the stealers or to BMW UK.
They do keep records of complaints & are obliged to help customers overcome them.

If all of that fails, then by all means, get out the petrol & the matches!

All the best.

Viv

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

We have some pedants in da (the) house!

I get the impression that squeeze in the cooling business

I have some guys installing a £5,000,000 cold store for me at the moment at the self confessed refrigeration 'nerds' have pointed out the spelling issue to me before.