<E36> A/C Groaning noise.

[Anup Lakare <alakare@xxxxxxxx>]

My 94 E36 318i has been causing the A/C moaning sound when the A/C is
engaged. This happens more when the outside temperature is low and when its
raining. Some Search indicates that this has happened to may people and the
fix is to replace the A/C expansion valve and NOT the compressor, although
some people seem to have replaced the compressor as well.  One gentleman has
suggested that this can happen even if the system is overcharged and I
should try purging some gas out, but I don't know how to do this.

I would very much appreciate if anyone can let me know how much it would
cost me in labor and parts to do this. I don't think this is a typical DIY
because the A/C gas may have to be recharged. Also please let me know if I
should get anything else replaced with this job that may fail soon. The car
has 82k miles.
Does anyone know of a good place in Atlanta area to do A/C work?
Found the following interesting post on the net for 318ti, my car is a 318i
sedan, but I guess the A/C system may be similar. (Thanks to the author of
the following post) 

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If you have a '95 318ti (produced up to 11/95) and find that your A/C system
is making the "groaring" noise, the following may help: 

BMW SERVICE INFORMATION 
Group 64 Bulletin Number Woodcliff Lake, NJ 
Heating and 64 04 96 May 196 
Air Conditioning Product Engineering 

SUBJECT: Noise from A/C Expansion Valve on 318ti 

MODEL: 318ti (E36) 

Complaint: 1. Screeching noise from expansion valve during A/C operation on
318ti produced up to 11/95. 
2. Moaning sound from expansion valve when compressor cycles on mostly at
low ambient temperatures on 318ti produced as of 11/95 or with replaced
expansion valve. 

Situation: The 318ti was introduced with an A/C expansion valve that was not
friction-dampened (#64 11 8 361 917). This valve may cause a screeching
noise during A/C operation. 

As of 11/95 a friction-dampened expansion valve (#64 11 372 436) went into
production. This valve fixed the problem of screeching noise during A/C
operation. 

However, with that expansion valve there may be complaints of moaning noise
for a few seconds, immediately after the 
engagement of the A/C compressor clutch. 

This valve has now been further improved. It will fix both complaints. In
case of these complaints, do not change the A/C compressor. All compressors
that have been 
replaced because of these complaints have been analyzed and no problems were
found. 

Note: The new modified valve has the same part number as the old one (64 11
8 372 436). For identification it is 
bearing a green paint dot. 

Correction: In case of a customer complaint, install the new modified
expansion valve and do not change the compressor. 

For details on replacing the A/C expansion valve, refer to the appropriate
repair manual section 64-51. 

Warranty Parts and labor are reimbursable under the terms of the
Information: BMW new car limited warranty of 4 years / 50,000 miles. 

Defect Code: 64 51 12 39 00 
Parts Allowance: 64 11 8 372 436 

Labor Operation: 64 51 520 

Labor Allowance: 13 FRU 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks in advance,
Anup
318i, 94, 82k

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