Ac issue not working?

2016 MINI COOPER
134,000 MILES • TURBO • MANUAL
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BHAMDOC1
Bought it with ac not working. I see compressor running. Fan was not. Tried to add freon did not take it. Found out that when i release freon from the valve its mostly air. And when i did release a bit the fan cane on and air was so cold for few. Then it was hot again.released all air out and compressor stopped added freon fan would come on but at a specific limit i guess but still no cold air. I suspect a weak compressor.
May 22, 2026 at 5:03 PM
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STRAILER
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Thanks for the videos, they helped, It looks like the compressor is bad, the low side pressure is okay but the high side is low, I would change out the expansion valve as well. Make sure you vacuum the system down before recharging it, go over this video to help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EqdrBVb0sY

Please go over this guide and get back to me.

May 23, 2026 at 5:25 PM
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BHAMDOC1
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Where is the expansion valve on this one?
May 23, 2026 at 6:21 PM
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STRAILER
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It is behind the power distribution box. Check out the images (below). Please let me know what happens.
May 24, 2026 at 2:30 AM
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BHAMDOC1
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Thanks. Does that involve any work from under the dash?
May 24, 2026 at 2:50 AM
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STRAILER
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Nope, you are good, just remove the power distribution box, disconnect the battery first though.
May 24, 2026 at 2:56 AM
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BHAMDOC1
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I cannot find any instructions online on how to replace the compressor. Can you see if you can find it?
May 25, 2026 at 8:45 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, here ya go, this is how to replace the AC compressor. Make sure the refrigerant is vacuumed out first. Check out the images (below). Let me know what you find.
May 26, 2026 at 12:48 AM
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BHAMDOC1
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removed everything but it's so tight for the compressor to come off the bracket. I believe the electric fan must come off. I don't see how, any suggestions?
May 26, 2026 at 10:16 PM
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STRAILER
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Yes the cooling fan does need to be removed from the radiator to get compressor out good eye on that. Check out the images (below). Please let me know what happens.
May 27, 2026 at 2:50 PM
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BHAMDOC1
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Got it out thanks. Pain in the neck. Thanks
May 27, 2026 at 3:36 PM
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STRAILER
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Nice work, let me know what happens please.
May 27, 2026 at 3:58 PM
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BHAMDOC1
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Got the fan and compressor in without putting everything back together, got some cold air then tarted to see smoke. Turned it off turned out the line is leaking freon. I remember them being very tight. Can you find out what the torque spec is on the ac line bolt on the compressor? Also, I couldn't figure out these o-rings, they look like metal and stamped onto the line so didn't change them. Can you find out if they are separate and can be replaced and part number if so?
The fan did not come on for a while I guess till the right amount of freon was in.
Jun 1, 2026 at 12:09 AM
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BHAMDOC1
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can you give me the torque spec for the 2 star bolts holding doesn't the lines to the compressor?
Jun 1, 2026 at 3:42 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, the 2 small “star”/Torx bolts holding the refrigerant lines to the compressor — use:

8 Nm / 71 in-lbs / about 5.9 ft-lbs

Let me know how it goes.
Jun 1, 2026 at 5:26 PM
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BHAMDOC1
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I replaced both washer o rings but the 8NM seems way too loose to be a tight fit. I can remove the bolt using one hand with super light force. I went with 8NM but am almost sure something isn't right. I used the green/metal ones, the original ones were metal/purple and metal/green.
Jun 5, 2026 at 9:48 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, this is important you use the right seals, also after you are done make sure it holds vacuum for at least 30 minutes. This video can help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EqdrBVb0sY

I have it in the post above as well.


Jun 6, 2026 at 10:42 PM
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