BMW X3 Service & Repair Manual: Removing and installing/renewing heating unit

WARNING: Danger of injury! Refrigerant circuit is under high pressure! Avoid contact with refrigerant and refrigerant fluid.

Read and comply with safety instructions:

• Handling R 134a (tetrafluorethane) refrigerant .
• HANDLING REFRIGERANT OIL

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage! Restart engine only when the air conditioning system has been correctly filled.

NOTE: If the air conditioning system is open for longer than 24 hours: replace DESICCANT INSERT FOR AIR CONDITIONING

Necessary preliminary tasks:

• Draw off AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
• Remove SUPPORT FOR DASHBOARD
• Remove expansion valve .

NOTE: Diesel vehicles only:

Disconnect positive line (1) and plug connection (2) at electric auxiliary heater (3)

NOTE: Diesel vehicles only:

Fold back carpet in area (2).

Slacken nut (1).

Take off grounding cable (3).

Release plug connection (1) at blower motor (2) and disconnect.

IMPORTANT: Make sure remaining coolant is removed completely.

Carefully blow through aluminum double pipe to remove remaining coolant from heat exchanger for heating system.

Installation note:

Vent cooling system and check on watertightness.

IMPORTANT: Risk of soiling by leaking coolant!

Remove heating and air-conditioning unit (1) from vehicle.

Installation note:

Make sure that blower housing (2) and sealing plates for media openings (4) in bulkhead (5) are fitted correctly.

Footwell ventilation ducts (3) must be fitted correctly in the corresponding connection piece (3).

Installation note:

Mat (3) under the heating and air-conditioning unit must be correctly positioned and bonded onto the carpet.

Make sure condensate drain (1) is correctly seated on grommet (2) (see next operation).

IMPORTANT: Risk of water damage in the passenger compartment!

Installation note:

Before mounting the heater (2), spray grommet (1) with lubricant G13 (sourcing reference from BMW Parts Department).

Make sure condensate drain (2) is correctly seated on grommet (1).

Perform a visual inspection after installing the heater (2).