Aircon blowing cold on left but warm on right side vents E70

Leslie · Post by **Leslie** » Wed Aug 26, 2026 5:47 pm

Anyone had an evaporator expansion valve replaced on a RHD car ? ,The part is cheap but I had a look and it appear to be behind the dash which is obviously a major pain The 2 pipes go in the bulkhead and I expect the valve is right the other side of this . Removing the dash is just not an option I fancy paying for

Its criminal to fit it the wrong side of the bulkhead !

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Wed Aug 26, 2026 7:43 pm

The good book says it is NOT a dash out job. The ‘special tool’ looks like a cone to make sure the ‘o’-rings aren’t perturbed.

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The final instruction is to evacuate and refill the AC system.

Leslie · Post by **Leslie** » Wed Aug 26, 2026 10:43 pm

Thanks you very much sir

I must have a look as it will be behind the steering column so access must be tight at best

Leslie · Post by **Leslie** » Fri Aug 28, 2026 12:56 pm

I had a look this morn , compressor clutch is cutting in and fan starts soon after so that would indicate its not low in gas, the larger pipe into the condenser radiaor is roasting and the other is cool so the compressor has to be compressing .The evap core temp though is 25c so it aint seeing any gas .
Looking at you.pics above x5sport it looks like those are enginebay pics so if that is the case the expansion valve should be easy enough to access just above and behing the engine.There is no info I can find anywhere of anybody changing this part

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Aug 28, 2026 2:13 pm

That might be because of needing to handle the gas carefully? Both gas and oil are unfriendly to human life I suspect. The TIS says it’s only to be done by ‘authorised personnel’ and when the car is connected to their evac/refill station and the diagnostic system. That might be diyers pause for thought, hence no one owning up to doing it. Either that or they don’t fail very often.

Leslie · Post by **Leslie** » Fri Aug 28, 2026 3:04 pm

Ive got.it booked in for a look next friday so hopefully we will make some progress then , he did agree if the compressor is running it cant be low on gas and it has uv dye in it from last regas in April for easy leak checking.
Yes letting the gas out yourself is dangerous as well as bad for the environment

plus if you leave it empty any time you must replace the dryer too.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Aug 28, 2026 4:53 pm

I’m assuming the expansion valve is some kind of pressure controlled mechanical device as there are no electrical connections?

If the system is getting cold but the expansion unit not, then like you, I would be suspecting something being stuck closed.

Leslie · Post by **Leslie** » Fri Aug 28, 2026 5:25 pm

I don't understand how it works or what regulates it either but its a cheap part so there can't be much to it ! It must work with some differential temperature change from the in and out pipes , as you say there is nothing electrical to it (thankfully or it would be 400 not 40 quid

)

edit looks like Bmw would need about 200 quid for it anyway

Leslie · Post by **Leslie** » Fri Sep 04, 2026 6:02 pm

Well apparently it was a bit low on gas despite the compressor running and I have a small leak at the front condenser ,spotted due to uv dye in the system , it working again now ( left side only

) so I will need a condenser , they don't look expensive and a bonus is they are easily accessed with only the fan needing removed.

I'm beginning to think that antifog sensor has something to do with the right side having no aircon now as its already had a heater valve which made no difference

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