My 5 series BMW has a faulty aircon/air cooler; The fan works full blast or it goes off. In summer months, it gives hot air! How do I sort it out economically? BMW garages charge a phenominal sum of charge for it! Please help me!!

Mark Murugan, June 2008

There really is no alternative but to take it to a trustworthy air con dealer for an evacuate and refil. Then checks can be made to see why yours stopped working. Could be a holed condenser radiator or compressor shaft seal - this should be revealed as a fluorescent die is added to detect leaks with a fluorescent lamp. Could be that it just needs this vital service. Cost me around £70.00 at a non BMW garage.
Don't be tempted to waste money on aerosol air con aids you can get from a certain national car & cycle parts dealer as you can make it worse (as I did) where my compressor stalled and nearly broke the driving belt. A replacement compressor is really expensive and you will still need an evacuate & regas.

xyzbird, October 2008