Hi Pat. I've ran into a simular issue with loud noise from my AC. Largely because of your video, I immediately took my i8 to the dealer. The noise wasn't always there, like you described, but I decided to replace the compressor anyway. Draining the Airco revealed that 70% of the coolant was gone. Luckily, there was no contamination, and no further damage. The airco was still working fine, but low coolant could possibly destroy the pump because of lack of lubrication. So checking the amount of coolant, and keeping an ear our for strange noises from the AC might save you a lot of trouble. Thanks for your video!
Thanks of the video! I'm contemplating on making my own video on the exactly same issue on my 2016 BMW 330e. Got the same noise prior to AC compressor completely failing. It's throwing faults and it's also costing me thousands to repair it. In addition, it's thrown other HV faults. Just spent $2400 replacing the flow heater, it's HV cable and now about to spend $3300 on replacing the AC compressor, which we haven't looked at it completely to see if any other issues (metal fragments) have entered the cooling lines. If so that price may go WAY up! On top of that, there may internal KLE converter faults which will be another $4300. Car is valued at around $13k and I'm about to spend more than it's value just to get it working again. There's no reason why a "premium" car should need this type of work done under 100K miles.
Hopefully BMW updated that embarassing part! If their plan is to turn a blind eye to engineering faults from their highest paying customers, well, let's just say I'll be in a Taycan sooner rather than later.
Pat, I always love your videos. I would like to make one request. I am retired from a QA career at a very large tech company. The anecdotes in the video are great, but, if you have time, since you are a magnet for all this I8 forum info, please collate it into a graph showing year of car, mileage, and also any driving style notes you can get from the victims (you'll need to ask them--if they don't offer it). As a group, we should probably also contact the i3 community (I have two friends with i3s, so I could look into it) and compare notes. There may be no apparent correlation between that data and the failure, which is good to know. There might be some info that can be gleaned from that data that is not apparent to us, but, if BMW compared VINs and build sheets, they might know something we do not. Would help in a class action suit or at least, to put pressure on them. This info is 10x stronger if we have data.
Wow! First of all thank you Pat for the video. I am in the market for the i8. The more research I do into this car regarding issues and maintenance. This is becoming a dream killer of owning one. At first I was going for the 2014 to 2016 models. Now I'm wondering should I wait for the 2019 and 2020 model. Sadly this is a money pit. The car is so beautiful. "Heart broken" right now. Thanks again for the informative video. Keep posting the video of the i8!
As long as you have a warranty, you avoid the risks. The car is repairable when things fail, but it costs a lot for repairs. I have one friend with a 2014 he had since new, never had one problem. Last month, his AC Compressor went. However, he lives in a state where it's covered under emissions, so no charge to replace.
If this is a recurring problem, then owners need to band together and get to BMW to cover this--do you have a sense as to the volume of cars that have had this problem in your research Pat?
Thanks DoctaM3. The number of folks who post to the forums is what I have to start with as a population. That's a very small subset of i8 owners. It would be impossible to guess how many i8's were affected. I just saw a comment on this video where an i8 owner had an AC failure with no noise. He was quoted $18k for the repair.
@@theprajwalfamily sorry to hear that. It will help the rest of us i8 owners if you can please tell us what year of i8 and how many miles? Also, did it happen on startup or while driving? Do you mind sharing the circumstances, please? PM me, if you would rather.
Mine has been in the shop for almost 2.5 months and the dealership is having problems fixing the compressor. It even started smoking in their shop when they thought it was fixed.
Thanks Pat. As I said in a prior video, and as another poster has also said here, I am one step closer to a Porsche Taycan Turbo. I am in California so I think I have the seven-year coverage but still, I don’t want to have to deal with this at all - especially if it fails far from home. It’s a shame because it’s a wonderful car. There is nothing else quite like it and I will certainly miss it.
Got hit with a $7.6k USD repair a couple weeks back for this exact issue. While incredibly disheartening I'm glad that this video has been up to mentally prepare me. As soon as the A/C stopped working I rewatched this video after watching it previously over a year back and vaguely remembering a big A/C problem (and just hoping it wouldn't be me 😭).
Thank you. I've been stewing about this one for some time now. I think the urgency came about when I started to have my own compressor noise and they didn't think it was bad enough to fix it. It's weighed heavily on my mind. I haven't forgotten about you and our collab chat. Hoping to get something together with you.
Got a used i3s, added the extended warrantee, 5k, buuut ayear after i bought used it stop colling, no noise, well $14345 covered by warrante, rhey replaced all compr. And battery was droped and replaced the lines
We just gotta come together with enough complaints & until they consider doing a recall. I believe this may also be the reason why they stopped making it besides sales & it’s depreciation.
Had a 2014 I8 with 27.5K miles. Sold it as a precaution as the anxiety of waiting for inevitable was just not worth it. Amazing car - looking forward to eventually picking up a newer roadster model soon.
Roadster will be a cast iron investment car as only 2578 made before production ended. Just make sure you get the 'depn up front' discount of 45% on the car as I did !!
So this video is a year and half old, any updates on bmw recalling or replacing this stuff on their dime? My AC just went out as I was driving home. Never heard the noise you get though. 2015 i8. 65k miles. Also I’m in Florida, any chance we have a replacement by the state. I’m guessing not because no emissions testing here
Sadly, nothing has changed. I'm sorry to hear that your AC has failed. Please see your BMW i8 warranty guide or download a copy from BMW to see if FL is covered. A Google search should give you some results.
This may be a stupid suggestion, but would installing an extra filter/drier in the system at least prevent metal particles from causing further consequential damage? I ask because I'm about to buy a 2015 i8 (UK) and want to at least do something to avoid total disaster. Thanks
thank you for posting this excellent informative video!!! please post a video when your compressor finally fails and the dealer sends the almost 20k bill to your extended warranty underwriter.....then they will have a homer "doh!!!" moment!! :)
Hey Pat, thanks for the great info. Based on this video, are you saying that CA-registered i8s have a little more buy time due to CA emissions coverage (ie, 7 years/70k miles from original purchase date)? If so, that is a great relief. That almost guarantees that the compressor will be replaced once for free under CA emissions warranty, given that it should fail within 7 years or 70k miles. Keep up the great informative videos!
www.bmwusa.com/explore/bmw-value/bmw-ultimate-service/service-and-warranty-books.html, then look up your year and model. In my case since it's a 2014 I have till the end of this year. And I am in California, but, car was originally sold in FLA. Not sure how that works.
@@slkttop Warranty guide explicitly says that cars registered in California have the 7 yr/70k emissions warranty. So in your case, if your car is now registered in CA, then it is covered by that. Another important point I found is that if your i8 is a low mileage one, then per the warranty guide, "If your California-registered vehicle is between 7and 8 years old and has been driven less than 80,000 miles, then your vehicle is eligible for additional warranty coverage under the Federal Emissions Warranty." So that's an extra year there.
Hi Pat, thanks a million! Just changed my 2016 compressor to the now 3rd iteration of the compressor. It cost me 2000 EUR but now I can sleep better! This is really a valuable information! Thank you so much!
Yes done at BMW dealership during the tune up. They knew the issues also from Minis with similar 3 cyl engines. BMW is always updating components so there are now 3 part numbers for the compressor - so choosing the latest version is more likely to at least last longer.
The extra warranty for the BMW i3 is for the REX cars only. The BEVs did not get the extra warranty in CA. Amazing how poorly the AC compressor is designed. If it is running low on coolant/oil, they should have added a sensor to tell the driver.
Best video you have made! I told Alec and Fran BMW execs that we know a lot about the i8 and common issues that occur. I asked Alec to look into this being a recall because I had talked to you and others on RUclips. Alec said it doesn’t matter what’s being said on your RUclips channel. Fran said the same when she called and I was telling her about the data we collected. She said she’s not doing anything because of a RUclips channel.
They're not going to do anything E because they make money despite themselves! Plus, that "theme," or "attitude" that they have is not unique to them. Why worry about "customer service and satisfaction?" Hmmmm, where did "ethics" go?🤔 Sure, there's always the option to take legal action, but that takes time and $$$ and for the most part, most of us don't have a whole lot of either one.😢
Over the weekend I had a CEL pop on with code P0CE1 (Hybrid/EV Battery Coolant Control Valve "A" Stuck on). I am aware of the A/C compressor issues that have plagued some of these vehicles but I don't recall hearing any of the noises that are usually associated with this. I did check and the A/C is in fact not functioning so I am trying to sort out a plan of attack. Do you happen to know if an issue with this control valve could cause the A/C itself to go down? Or does it sound like the compressor likely failed, sent debris through the lines and brought down the valve? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Pat's just trying to buy a second BMW i8 so he's trying to lower the market price 😉😉 I'm kidding ofc :p Glad you're bringing attention to this major issue Pat 👌
Well, there's a term for guys like Pat. Don't ask me I know,🤭, but that' how my lawyer referred to me, I mean "referred to it." Moving on, it's called a "Market Manipulator!" From here on out he can be referred to as the "MandM Man." And it ain't for the candy manufacturer MandM Mars either.🤣
So my i8 definitely just started doing this noice tonight. After watching your video, not sure if I have this right. From what I understand after watching your video. ( thanks by the way for all you do ) The ac compressor repair will be covered by the 7/70,000 emissions warranty in the state of California? It is a 2016 and 7 years will be here in July and it only has 28k on it. So I fall into the coverage parameters. Should I be ok and covered?
2016 X5 40e, AC compressor rattling at 75k miles. In shop now for a replacement, hoping they don’t find any shrapnel in the lines. It was still cooling, just sounded terrible.
Not sure it deserves a heart or thumbs up, lol. It is right now estimated to cost $5100. Crazy for it to start to implode at that mileage and then cost so much compared to a normal car replacement. Fully negates the hybrid aspect.
What does a normal, healthy compressor sound like for the i8 when you kneel down next to the front wheel? Is there a way it might begin to sound before it turns into a full-on rock tumbler?
@@Evapors it's linked to a google account i have and i just picked a letter (first letter of my first name) i just googled it and i see that it could be false interpreted but that's really not the case
Just forwarded your video to 2 senior executives at BMW USA to escalate and get more transparency from BMW on this issue to avoid eroding their fan base.
Pat's Garage Online they responded back to me and seem to have taken your video seriously. They are investigating. We should look forward to more clarity. I am confident that they are concerned and will address.
Hi, Pat. I just watched this video and became a bit heartbroken. I don't own an i8 but was thinking about buying one; not inmediatlely, but perhaps along next year. Obviously, your channel is turned very useful for me. Now, my question is if this problem about the AA compressor and bateries cooling is going to happen for sure at anytime or It's just an issue that merely could appear. Thank you so much in advance for all. And greetings from Madrid! :)
Thanks for watching. It may happen or it may not. But you need to be prepared to pay a lot to have this repaired by a repair shop that is willing to do the work. That is the risk you take with the i8.
Hi Pat, great video, I appreciate your integrity in bringing this issue to light. I wonder if the redesign of the facelift models with the new front vent have anything to do with this issue. as you said, the AC is in the front under the hood, so maybe this new vent help release heat and help preserve the breakdown of the AC unit. Any way to see if the facelift models have a different type of AC unit part # that can be swapped?
The newest i8's have a smaller hole in the hood and the ductwork under the hood has smaller holes in it in order to allow that air pressure to go somewhere. The flow through the radiators and condenser should be the same. So, the AC system shouldn't realize any differences.
the direct answer to this is: yes. BMW has a part number for a more recent compressor as Pat says in the video. They have FOUR older compressor part numbers, as a matter of fact. I plan to put the latest one into my 2014 when my California 7-year emissions warranty runs out.
There hasn't been a particular year that doesn't have this issue. It seems to come up only om some cars when they are 4+ years old. Newer i8's haven't shown the problem yet. So, I'd only get an i8 with warranty to cover this or many other issues that can come up with the car.
Hi Pat, im thinking of but an i8, so far it seem that there is a lot of problems with this car. is it worth buying it ? I dont want bills after bills of work to done. Seem like a big liability
It's a great car as long as you have the BMW warranty in order to mitigate your risks. Sometimes you can get lucky with an i8 and own it for several years without issues. Sometimes you end up paying tens of thousands because a coolant leak developed without warning and it needs a new engine. It's the nature of the i8. You'll have to make your decision with all that in mind.
@@PatsGarageOnline last question Pat. Does the BMW extended warranty covers everything? It might be good to make a video on what the extended warranty doesnt cover. Does the i8 come with run flat tires? i always wondered what happened if you get a flat tire if there is not spare tire
Wow thanks for that! I have been looking at used I3s, but I had heard about this issue with them as well. I am certainly interested to know if they have fixed this issue in newer models, but I will not be touching one until I have some proof that they have fixed this issue!
I personally know multiple people that own newer i3s (2017-18 and 19) and none of them have any AC issues. In fact a 2017 i3 has over 120K miles on it and the AC works just fine, so all you need to do is to stay away from the earlier production years.
Great video Pat! Thanks for doing this, as an i8 owner it’s extremely valuable. I think if BMW are smart they would actually be saving themselves money for cars still under warranty if they replaced these as soon as there was any indication of noise/failure. It would be awesome to know if this is a very limited problem, or very common. As you say time will tell with the 14/15 models. If it is common I wonder if there is anything that the i8 community can do to influence BMWs decision to replace compressors, for instance class action lawsuits etc.
Unless a safety issue arose, it would not be financially beneficial for BMW to do anything about the defects in this compressor design, unless it started to create an issue with the brand. The i8 cost them more more money than they sold it for, so they're already starting with a loss, and they were ok with that. So I'm not sure what a lawsuit would do, to be honest. Porsche has campaigns to replace working transmissions in the Cayman GT4 because so many had a weld break in the gear box. Even if you never has that problem, Porsche still had you come in for a new gear box. I'd love to see that kind of customer service from BMW.
Hmm thanks for that, as an owner of a 2019 roadster, i love the car, i had noticed that when charging the car there seems to be a fan that comes on, however i did change the charging rate, to its lowest setting, which stops that, so perhaps this may help? Also i recently had a fridge that started to stop working and the fridge guy said that i had got a leak in the system and that it is gradually loosing coolant, and thus diminishing the cooling and also the lubrication in the compressor....So just a thought as the refrigerant is the lubricant for the compressor, do you think that some sort of pressure test say on an annual basis may be an idea as any drop would likely be because of say a small pinprick leak in the tubing, thus any reduction in refrigerant would cause the compressor to overheat ..any thoughts..ps the fridge guy put his hand on the compressor and said that its too hot..and said you need a new fridge.
I'm currently charging at the 110v rate, nightly so I only cycle the AC Compressor once during a charging session, around half way full. But, it's considered a slow charger compared to the 220v, higher kW charger. It's possible that there is a leak and oil is being lost. However, I haven't found any signs of a leak while taking apart the panels and looking under the hood. I'm not sure what the BMW techs are doing in order to test this and haven't had any dialogue with them about it. Some of the techs on the BMW forums also haven't provided much information about testing. I do believe heat has a lot to do with the issues we're experiencing and the service manual indicates that heat is an issue. Also, the scrolls have metal to metal contact. So, it's possible there are a lot of things going on all at once leading to the perfect storm. I just wish I knew the answers.
@@PatsGarageOnline Im not sure what the coolant is now, but it used to be something called R22 which i believe was called Freon. The new gas has smaller molecules and unless your system is completely leak free, it likes to escape..also it is the lubricant for the compressor..I wonder if having a regular air conditioning check for preasure and volume may be a good preventative measure
Mine has started to make a little noise now. I am out of warranty and plan to get this sorted before there’s a catastrophic failure. I will insist the lines are cleaned when the job is done. Does anyone have experience of the non OEM part that’s available for around £400 in the UK . I’m wondering if it can be any worse than the original.
This is interesting - I have an X5 45E that has been in the dealer for a little over a month now getting the compressor and lines replaced (under warranty). It does look like there is an issue with the compressors.
@@PatsGarageOnline Finally got the car back - in the shop from May 3 to July 8. The biggest issue with the repair was parts availability. They replaced the compressor, but then found metal in the lines so had to replace most of the cooler lines (including all the cooling grids in the battery) as well. The final part was flushing the system with a special fluid (I don't remember if it was magnetic or non-magnetic). The part number of the compressor used was 64-52-9-496-112 which I am hoping is one that resolves the issue. Since it was a warranty repair, I don't have a price on the invoice, but with a 2 1/2 month rental car, and all of the parts and labor to replace, I don't think it was a inexpensive repair.
Hi Pat! I just replaced the ac compressor, condenser and has the system evacuated and flushed, however when I got the car back it’s not blowing cold. I’m surprised they have the car back like that. Any clue what’s up with it, waiting to send it back now
Is that scroll compressor plate made from aluminium? If so, I am wondering if it might be worth it for people who have cars that are at risk of this to take the part and have one made from titanium or something that is harder and more resilient to heat.
According to the service manual, there is metal on metal contact as the scrolls touch each other. I would assume Aluminum was not used. But, I've never cracked open a compressor to find out. However, there are videos on the web of HVAC scroll compressors being disassembled and the results are unreal.
@@PatsGarageOnline i opened a dumped i8 compressor and took a few photos. What i did is to take a rubble ring for replacement in my i3 compressor. Please check the FB page BMW i3 Worldwide Group - The A/C compressor can wear like this.....
So I’m getting same noise- I have a 2015 i8 and it’s def my AC compressor when we open the hood- it’s coming right from it! It only makes noise when the heat/AC or vents are on but when I shut it all off noise goes away, also my heat and AC still work totally fine! Noise just started this morning.
Today i received the quote for job. It was $18,000. My car never had a noise. One day the ac stop working. This is really bad. They don’t even know what to tell me, except that i own them a lot of money for my repair. But everything that pats just describe it happened!!
I have a few questions to help us understand your climate and conditions. What is the year and mileage of your i8? What country are you in? Did you buy it from the BMW dealership? Is it at a BMW service center?
Would this lead one to reason that driving the car in electric only will shorten the life of the AC compressor? Might there be a way to add a kill switch to turn off the compressor if it starts shredding itself? Or is there still so much cooling demand that it would be more dangerous to do that?
If the compressor doesn't run, the car will display a fault and you can't drive. The high voltage battery is required to be operational even in gas mode. So cooling is necessary. Some owners have taken their cars in for a recharge and re-oiling as a preventative step. I'm waiting to see results.
@@PatsGarageOnline a Ahhh, got it. What do you think of the idea that minimizing or eliminating electric-only driving might actually impact the longevity of the system? Sounds ridiculous, and of course we shouldn't have to think like that, but does it stand to reason?
@@royalp1687 I wish it was possible and still able to retain the electronics in the car. Too many of the systems need to talk. If the electronics were completely replaced with aftermarket and a larger gas engine dropped in the car, it would be faster and more reliable but the costs would be so expensive to do this that it would be better to own a Lambo
Hi Pat, great videos, love the car. My air con has stopped running cold. It’s a 2015 with only 28k miles. I’ve had it re gassed and main dealer said that there is no leak. They then said the 12v battery needs replacing as when it was low, it shut down the compressor. Had that changed but now saying it needs a new compressor. Car drives fine with no noises and no fault codes. My question is, how could the HV battery get cooled if the compressor isn’t operational? Do you think it’s ok to just leave it for now? Thanks, Steve
@@skimeister1620 hi Steve. First off, the HV battery runs the compressor so BMW replacing the 12v battery won't fix that. Not sure why they did. Secondly, the compressor needs to work to keep the HV batteries cool. You may get a drivetrain failure and the car won't run if the HV battery gets too hot. They need to diagnose the issue better.
Can I extend the warranty if it runs out on a 2015 i8? I'm looking at one with 28K miles, but the warranty ran out if anyone could help that would be nice thank you.
Just came across this video Pat. I am based in the UK where the temperature very rarely requires the A/C to be turned on. Do you think this problem might affect i8 cars in countries with higher ambient temperatures? I ask this as i only bought the car in Oct 2020 and i decided against going for a warranty till the HV battery warranty runs out in 2023.
I don't have enough data to be able to say that this only affects certain countries or certain climates. I just know that if you do drive the car in eDrive very hard then it definitely will engage the air conditioning in order to keep those batteries cool. The same can be said for preconditioning where it will warm up the batteries. It can do so by reversing the flow of the refrigerant. Same holds true for charging. Charging generates heat and it requires the air conditioning refrigerant to cool the high voltage batteries. It's possible you may be okay in your climate but I'm not sure.
Good gravy. If I was facing a $10k labour bill I think I would buy a lift. Then buy one of those $6,000 engine lowering tables. Then do a course on working on EV's safely. Then do the work myself. Well, you know, I think I'd do that :) But really, sounds like you have to keep $1500 per annum aside every year to build up a fund for preventative maintenance for this item. Scary times .... But I still would love one. What's wrong with me ha ha !
My i3 makes no noise but aircon does not work to cool cabin. Have had car for nearly 2 years. No fault code for hot high volt battery. Drives fine. Could it be the valve that directs refrigerent/coolant to battery at fault.? Scanner says no info about aircon
Sadly, there are too many components involved and it would require more troubleshooting before I could suggest the valve being at fault. I believe the service center will have to troubleshoot.
Google search for: BMW Service and Warranty Book You will find a link to the BMW site which allows you to search for, and download, a copy of the warranty book for your i8. Near the end of that PDF will be a list of items covered under Cali Emissions.
Hi Pat I’m starting to hear this exact noise on my 2015 i8 19k miles it happened out of sudden on road I thought a leaf got caught in my fan… but no it’s the compressor noise, what are the chances of the worst case scenario with metal fragments ? And what’s the best case scenario could it at all be just refrigerant or just replacement of air compressor. Is there any way of someone doing it outside of BMW like a local BMW expert ?
BMW is your best bet. Someone else may do it cheaper but if there is a problem you'll end up back at BMW. So, buy once, cry one, I suppose. I can't assume how bad the problem is. I haven't gotten enough feedback from i8 owners to be able to predict that. Let me know what your service center finds out.
Pat's Garage Online also I’m considering purchasing extended warranty ASAP that covers all these affected parts and then going to my service after that. If I get 2 yr extended warranty for 5-6k that’s a better bet then going to them without and expecting 18k I’m just not sure if the 3rd party warranty needs to check up the car before giving me coverage and possibly seeing this issue
Hi Pat so my BMW dealership couldn’t match my noise so after a few days of trying they heard a little bit and said yes it’s a faulty compressor saying no further issues they would drain the lines flush them replace everything with labor 2800$ done in one day. So hoping this is the end of it and I can still keep my baby
Appreciate the video and detail. Happened to mine like clockwork around 29k miles. Pretty disgusted at the QC here. BMW should have recalled this a long time ago just to prevent everyone's expensive cars from trashing themselves. It's my first BMW and I expected better from the company- maybe I shouldn't have though.
@@jaylenpopin 2014 here. Also, just this week, my A/C failed AGAIN with a clunky mechanical noise. Just over 500 miles on it since A/C replacement. It's not diagnosed yet, but this has me nervous.
Wow man I was planning to buy an i8 but after watching this video I think I better wait for Cybertruck or any less-maintenance car; especially I live in Dubai which is very hot in summer! I don't want my AC to break down in a place where temperature raise up to 122 F!!
Thank you! The Tesla vehicles cool their batteries with liquid coolant, like the coolant that keeps an engine from overheating. So they won't have the same issue as the i8 does. However, mix water coolant with batteries and see what happens. 🤣
@@mohamedtamim5127 if you have enough money to repair it, then you can justify owning and keeping it. The only thing that will keep this car running is money.
Is this AC compressor used in any other vehicle (even non-BMW)? Do we know the actual manufacturer of the compressor (even though it's branded BMW)? Great video!
Thanks. I have no idea who actually makes the compressor or where else it might be used. I was unable to determine that from research online and I've never held a compressor in hand to see what inscription it has. All I can offer is data that I've gathered from other i8 owners, and their experiences.
My I8 is now in with BMW with Aircon noises especially when charging ... they are saying it "firstly" needs a regas as it could be low on refrigerant ... lets see how this goes , its also there for Fuel Pressure Sensor issue throwing error on as tank flap opening (FUEL SYSTEM ERROR). Like you ive got an extended warranty ;-)
UPDATE: BMW had to change fuel pump for the fuel door issue (7 hours) .... and they say the regas has fixed the aircon noise as the gas was low .... yet to test both of the above i hould have car back tomorrow.
UPDATE: Fuel Pump with integral Fuel Sensor finally took BMW tech 9 hours to fit .... and AIRCON regas COMPLETELY sorted out the aircon noise ... IMHO low refrigerant gas is causing the overheating/wear on the conditioner pump ..... aircon soooooo quiet now. FYI mine is a 2015 with 58k miles.
The AC works harder when we're in pure eDrive as the heat generated inside the high voltage battery pack increases when charging and discharging. I'm not sure about other climates, but you may be on to something!
@Pat's Garage Online Good info stuff... I drive my 2019 roadster nearly 80% of time in full electric.... I'll keep the ac off just in case - mind it's pretty inclement/chilly here in Cambridge UK most of the Sept-Mar period though!!
Thank you for sharing this valuable information. However what seems strange to me ist the fact, that I couldn’t find any similar messages in one of the biggest german i3 community forums. Only message I’ve found has to do with noise due to less coolant fluid. If it‘s really the same part in the i8, shouldn‘t it cause much more problems in the i3 due to the much higher demand of battery cooling? Really strange.
Thanks for this data. It's quite possible that the I8 electric motor is configured to provide more power quickly and therefore heat up the batteries quicker. Or the battery pack in the i3 dissipates heat better requiring less refrigerant pressure. I'm not sure but those are my initial thoughts.
@@PatsGarageOnline I have read several reports about I3s with the exact same problem. I had trouble finding references to it on RUclips, but I found quite a few in forums.
I can't pinpoint whether or not this is only happening in some climates because the folks that post about it are both in the US and EU and it's happened to them, randomly. Those who post are a small subset of owners that we never hear from.
Pat's Garage Online yeah true, I had a look too and there are some people who are having this issue on a vehicle with only 4000 miles on it! Has put me off getting one which is a shame
I just bought mine two month ago with 4,000 miles and it’s been at the dealer ship practically same time. The bill it’s up to a $8,000 now for the same reason. Too bad i didn’t know. I paid for the car $85,000 in July 20 and the ac broke 5 days later
Today i received the quote for the job. It was $17,800 My car never had a noise. One day the ac stop working. This is really bad. They don’t even know what to tell me, except that i own them a lot of money
@@joserequena4711 I was now three times each year 18,19,20 at BMW, the first time was filled with forming gas and tried to find a leak. The second time was probably only filled up. After that the air conditioning worked fine again. Now the third time I pressed harder because I already paid twice. Now a leak in the vaporizer was measured, it was replaced. But I am not sure if everything is good now.
"What is this 'NOISE' I'm hearing?" Ha, ha. More like what is this "RACKET" I'm hearing!? It sounded like a frigg'n rock tumbler. My cement mixer makes less noise! As I continue to listen about your experience with your warranty, whoa! Where's the fine print in your warranty that says in have to wait until the "situation" gets worse before your warranty becomes active. They should have a "WARNING! Warranty will not be activated until situation get worse!" You also point out soooo many questions for which there are no answers for and/or for which no one is willing to release answers/information on. I love how BMW USA plays ping-pong. 'Oh, you must contact your dealer." Then you contact your dealer who tells you, "Oh you have to contact BMW USA." Talk about a dog chasing it's tail! Lastly, it's just a matter of time though before BMW does contact you. Why? Probably to have you served a with "Cease and Desist Order." They have no idea the influence that channel originators like yourself have! Keep shouting the truth from the roof top, never give up and never stop! You are the Don Quixote of the I8 world, just stay steady and never swirl! Your day will come and songs will be sung, on how I8 Pat fought the battle and won! Save the Wave🙋🏼♂️
Yeah, Peter, the CPO warranty is not like the factory one. Any complaints about the car need prior approval before they do the work. If I was under factory warranty, my compressor would have likely been replaced. So that's why this was different. I'm not sure what will happen because of this video. BMW told my friend @evapors that they don't care about people's RUclips channels. And since the car is no longer being produced, they likely won't do anything about it. However, if this video serves as a warning to prevent a ton of money being lost by owners, I think it is a good thing. The only bad thing is that existing i8 owners may not find buyers. Me included.
@@PatsGarageOnline As to the CPO warranty, I did find that interesting. As to "if" your car was still under factory warranty, I agree, the compressor would have have likely been replaced. But that clock is kinda ticking. You would know better than I, but replacement parts only have to be made, or held in stock for a certain time period. At the expiration of that time, no matter how "friendly" your dealer maybe, or your CPO insurance company may be, it might just be a situation where you're told the part(s) are no longer available. THAT is when you I8 becomes a boat anchor. I hear you about BMW not caring about youtube, unless it's to advertise their product line, but I think it's mainly because the I8 is no longer being produced. Ergo, the door has been slammed closed on customer service and it's bye-bye Mr. Customer! Again, I applaud your video in that if it even helps just one "tire-kicker" out there from NOT buying one, well, it's all been worth it. But remember Don-Patrick Quixote, at times Windmills can be a worthy opponent. Save the Wave🙋🏼♂️
Fuc**n vehicles, why do we do this shit to ourselves? People waste so much money on cars just to drive around, most peeps don’t even think about putting money away for rainy days or retirement but they will throw it away on a stupid car or truck that drops in value right away, good luck with your Beemer😐
Hi Pat. I've ran into a simular issue with loud noise from my AC. Largely because of your video, I immediately took my i8 to the dealer. The noise wasn't always there, like you described, but I decided to replace the compressor anyway. Draining the Airco revealed that 70% of the coolant was gone. Luckily, there was no contamination, and no further damage.
The airco was still working fine, but low coolant could possibly destroy the pump because of lack of lubrication.
So checking the amount of coolant, and keeping an ear our for strange noises from the AC might save you a lot of trouble. Thanks for your video!
Thanks of the video! I'm contemplating on making my own video on the exactly same issue on my 2016 BMW 330e. Got the same noise prior to AC compressor completely failing. It's throwing faults and it's also costing me thousands to repair it. In addition, it's thrown other HV faults. Just spent $2400 replacing the flow heater, it's HV cable and now about to spend $3300 on replacing the AC compressor, which we haven't looked at it completely to see if any other issues (metal fragments) have entered the cooling lines. If so that price may go WAY up! On top of that, there may internal KLE converter faults which will be another $4300. Car is valued at around $13k and I'm about to spend more than it's value just to get it working again. There's no reason why a "premium" car should need this type of work done under 100K miles.
Hopefully BMW updated that embarassing part! If their plan is to turn a blind eye to engineering faults from their highest paying customers, well, let's just say I'll be in a Taycan sooner rather than later.
I told a bmw exec name Alec And I told The exec named Fran. They didn’t seem interested and said that youtube doesn’t matter.
Pat, I always love your videos. I would like to make one request. I am retired from a QA career at a very large tech company. The anecdotes in the video are great, but, if you have time, since you are a magnet for all this I8 forum info, please collate it into a graph showing year of car, mileage, and also any driving style notes you can get from the victims (you'll need to ask them--if they don't offer it). As a group, we should probably also contact the i3 community (I have two friends with i3s, so I could look into it) and compare notes. There may be no apparent correlation between that data and the failure, which is good to know. There might be some info that can be gleaned from that data that is not apparent to us, but, if BMW compared VINs and build sheets, they might know something we do not. Would help in a class action suit or at least, to put pressure on them. This info is 10x stronger if we have data.
Great video Pat! It’s always best to inform the public regardless of what businesses think. Keep the great content coming.
Wow! First of all thank you Pat for the video. I am in the market for the i8. The more research I do into this car regarding issues and maintenance. This is becoming a dream killer of owning one. At first I was going for the 2014 to 2016 models. Now I'm wondering should I wait for the 2019 and 2020 model. Sadly this is a money pit. The car is so beautiful. "Heart broken" right now. Thanks again for the informative video. Keep posting the video of the i8!
As long as you have a warranty, you avoid the risks. The car is repairable when things fail, but it costs a lot for repairs. I have one friend with a 2014 he had since new, never had one problem. Last month, his AC Compressor went. However, he lives in a state where it's covered under emissions, so no charge to replace.
This is the bane of many, many i3 owners... I'm sure it's the same compressor.
If this is a recurring problem, then owners need to band together and get to BMW to cover this--do you have a sense as to the volume of cars that have had this problem in your research Pat?
Thanks DoctaM3. The number of folks who post to the forums is what I have to start with as a population. That's a very small subset of i8 owners. It would be impossible to guess how many i8's were affected. I just saw a comment on this video where an i8 owner had an AC failure with no noise. He was quoted $18k for the repair.
Mine just went out and I’m quoted $16k and I don’t have warranty 😢
@@theprajwalfamily sorry to hear that. It will help the rest of us i8 owners if you can please tell us what year of i8 and how many miles? Also, did it happen on startup or while driving? Do you mind sharing the circumstances, please? PM me, if you would rather.
@@slkttop 2015 and while Driving.
Mine has been in the shop for almost 2.5 months and the dealership is having problems fixing the compressor. It even started smoking in their shop when they thought it was fixed.
Thanks Pat. As I said in a prior video, and as another poster has also said here, I am one step closer to a Porsche Taycan Turbo. I am in California so I think I have the seven-year coverage but still, I don’t want to have to deal with this at all - especially if it fails far from home. It’s a shame because it’s a wonderful car. There is nothing else quite like it and I will certainly miss it.
I’m in the same boat and have been going over options on my RUclips channel.
Got hit with a $7.6k USD repair a couple weeks back for this exact issue. While incredibly disheartening I'm glad that this video has been up to mentally prepare me. As soon as the A/C stopped working I rewatched this video after watching it previously over a year back and vaguely remembering a big A/C problem (and just hoping it wouldn't be me 😭).
Brother keep doing you, your videos are hugely valuable, and this one in particular. Its super important, to release real information and opinions
Thank you. I've been stewing about this one for some time now. I think the urgency came about when I started to have my own compressor noise and they didn't think it was bad enough to fix it. It's weighed heavily on my mind. I haven't forgotten about you and our collab chat. Hoping to get something together with you.
Brother, anytime, I know this must have been quite the conundrum, as a fellow youtuber, I'm glad you told it straight,
Got a used i3s, added the extended warrantee, 5k, buuut ayear after i bought used it stop colling, no noise, well $14345 covered by warrante, rhey replaced all compr. And battery was droped and replaced the lines
We just gotta come together with enough complaints & until they consider doing a recall. I believe this may also be the reason why they stopped making it besides sales & it’s depreciation.
Had a 2014 I8 with 27.5K miles. Sold it as a precaution as the anxiety of waiting for inevitable was just not worth it. Amazing car - looking forward to eventually picking up a newer roadster model soon.
Sold for how much? If you don’t mind me asking and in what state?
I received $58K in Arizona - the car was in perfect condition without any issues. Was the Tera World package.
@@erron11 That's amazing! Kudos to you
Roadster will be a cast iron investment car as only 2578 made before production ended. Just make sure you get the 'depn up front' discount of 45% on the car as I did !!
Paulthorpe how did you get 45% off? And what are the numbers please? Feel free to pm me if needed
So this video is a year and half old, any updates on bmw recalling or replacing this stuff on their dime? My AC just went out as I was driving home. Never heard the noise you get though. 2015 i8. 65k miles. Also I’m in Florida, any chance we have a replacement by the state. I’m guessing not because no emissions testing here
Sadly, nothing has changed. I'm sorry to hear that your AC has failed. Please see your BMW i8 warranty guide or download a copy from BMW to see if FL is covered. A Google search should give you some results.
This may be a stupid suggestion, but would installing an extra filter/drier in the system at least prevent metal particles from causing further consequential damage? I ask because I'm about to buy a 2015 i8 (UK) and want to at least do something to avoid total disaster. Thanks
I've heard of many folks making this suggestion but I'm unaware of anyone doing it. I have sold my i8 so I didn't test this.
thank you for posting this excellent informative video!!! please post a video when your compressor finally fails and the dealer sends the almost 20k bill to your extended warranty underwriter.....then they will have a homer "doh!!!" moment!! :)
Thanks! I intend on it!
Hey Pat, thanks for the great info. Based on this video, are you saying that CA-registered i8s have a little more buy time due to CA emissions coverage (ie, 7 years/70k miles from original purchase date)? If so, that is a great relief. That almost guarantees that the compressor will be replaced once for free under CA emissions warranty, given that it should fail within 7 years or 70k miles. Keep up the great informative videos!
Definitely check your warranty guide. That was what was in mine. I only found it this week. And I'd confirm with your dealer that it is legit.
www.bmwusa.com/explore/bmw-value/bmw-ultimate-service/service-and-warranty-books.html, then look up your year and model. In my case since it's a 2014 I have till the end of this year. And I am in California, but, car was originally sold in FLA. Not sure how that works.
@@slkttop Warranty guide explicitly says that cars registered in California have the 7 yr/70k emissions warranty. So in your case, if your car is now registered in CA, then it is covered by that. Another important point I found is that if your i8 is a low mileage one, then per the warranty guide, "If your California-registered vehicle is between 7and 8 years old and has been driven less than 80,000 miles, then your vehicle is eligible for additional warranty coverage under the Federal Emissions Warranty." So that's an extra year there.
@@gregh3256 Thanks, I'll have to look that up. I have a 2014 that currently has around 1500 (not a typo) miles on it.
My 2015 i8 started making noises. Yup aircon compressor issues. Dealer checked but lucky for me: no metal dust. Replacement was about 2K euro.
bmw i3 rex compressor is covered by motor warranty in some US states under 150,000 miles
Hi Pat, thanks a million! Just changed my 2016 compressor to the now 3rd iteration of the compressor. It cost me 2000 EUR but now I can sleep better! This is really a valuable information! Thank you so much!
In Germany I paid 2000 EUR all in for the replacement of the compressor which was not shot yet - I just wanted to dodge this bullet
Sts Sta. Did you do that at BMW? And how do you know that this 3rd generation compressor would work?
Yes done at BMW dealership during the tune up. They knew the issues also from Minis with similar 3 cyl engines. BMW is always updating components so there are now 3 part numbers for the compressor - so choosing the latest version is more likely to at least last longer.
The extra warranty for the BMW i3 is for the REX cars only. The BEVs did not get the extra warranty in CA. Amazing how poorly the AC compressor is designed. If it is running low on coolant/oil, they should have added a sensor to tell the driver.
Best video you have made! I told Alec and Fran BMW execs that we know a lot about the i8 and common issues that occur. I asked Alec to look into this being a recall because I had talked to you and others on RUclips. Alec said it doesn’t matter what’s being said on your RUclips channel. Fran said the same when she called and I was telling her about the data we collected. She said she’s not doing anything because of a RUclips channel.
You're welcome to share this video and tag who you want 😉
They're not going to do anything E because they make money despite themselves! Plus, that "theme," or "attitude" that they have is not unique to them. Why worry about "customer service and satisfaction?" Hmmmm, where did "ethics" go?🤔 Sure, there's always the option to take legal action, but that takes time and $$$ and for the most part, most of us don't have a whole lot of either one.😢
Peter Carey you spoke all facts!!!
@@Evapors Thank you E. If anyone knows, you know! Save the Wave🙋🏼♂️
Over the weekend I had a CEL pop on with code P0CE1 (Hybrid/EV Battery Coolant Control Valve "A" Stuck on). I am aware of the A/C compressor issues that have plagued some of these vehicles but I don't recall hearing any of the noises that are usually associated with this. I did check and the A/C is in fact not functioning so I am trying to sort out a plan of attack. Do you happen to know if an issue with this control valve could cause the A/C itself to go down? Or does it sound like the compressor likely failed, sent debris through the lines and brought down the valve? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Sadly, there are no ways for me to determine if that code is causing a specific problem. You may have to go to the service center
Pat's just trying to buy a second BMW i8 so he's trying to lower the market price 😉😉
I'm kidding ofc :p Glad you're bringing attention to this major issue Pat 👌
LOL! I just sold mine yesterday. 🤣
Best comment award!! This was good!!
Well, there's a term for guys like Pat. Don't ask me I know,🤭, but that' how my lawyer referred to me, I mean "referred to it." Moving on, it's called a "Market Manipulator!" From here on out he can be referred to as the "MandM Man." And it ain't for the candy manufacturer MandM Mars either.🤣
@@PatsGarageOnline wait, you sold your I8 Pat?
@@blaek745 I was just joking 🤣
So my i8 definitely just started doing this noice tonight. After watching your video, not sure if I have this right. From what I understand after watching your video. ( thanks by the way for all you do ) The ac compressor repair will be covered by the 7/70,000 emissions warranty in the state of California? It is a 2016 and 7 years will be here in July and it only has 28k on it. So I fall into the coverage parameters. Should I be ok and covered?
2016 X5 40e, AC compressor rattling at 75k miles. In shop now for a replacement, hoping they don’t find any shrapnel in the lines. It was still cooling, just sounded terrible.
Not sure it deserves a heart or thumbs up, lol. It is right now estimated to cost $5100. Crazy for it to start to implode at that mileage and then cost so much compared to a normal car replacement. Fully negates the hybrid aspect.
Great video Pat, well done...
What does a normal, healthy compressor sound like for the i8 when you kneel down next to the front wheel? Is there a way it might begin to sound before it turns into a full-on rock tumbler?
@@royalp1687 it starts to get noisier. I can't explain it but it won't sound like a normal compressor. Best to compare it to another i8 or i3
Thanks for being honest, Pat. I will stay away from German vehicles.
Wow, that's so much work and money for an AC!
WOW, that's a sad state of affairs - we do live in the land of attorney's and this is heading toward a "class action" waiting to happen
great video!!! love the inside information about this issue.
Interesting RUclips name.
@@Evapors it's linked to a google account i have and i just picked a letter (first letter of my first name)
i just googled it and i see that it could be false interpreted but that's really not the case
@@KK-qu8xh cool my friend. That's great to hear. And this is the best i8 channel hands down! 🤝
Just forwarded your video to 2 senior executives at BMW USA to escalate and get more transparency from BMW on this issue to avoid eroding their fan base.
Do you know them, personally?
Pat's Garage Online a friend of know them and recommended that I forward to them.
@@jimwelsh844 If you get a response, please keep me in the loop. Email patsgarageonline@gmail.com
Pat's Garage Online they responded back to me and seem to have taken your video seriously. They are investigating. We should look forward to more clarity. I am confident that they are concerned and will address.
Thank you so much for escalating the issue and for the feedback!
Hi, Pat.
I just watched this video and became a bit heartbroken. I don't own an i8 but was thinking about buying one; not inmediatlely, but perhaps along next year. Obviously, your channel is turned very useful for me.
Now, my question is if this problem about the AA compressor and bateries cooling is going to happen for sure at anytime or It's just an issue that merely could appear.
Thank you so much in advance for all. And greetings from Madrid! :)
Thanks for watching. It may happen or it may not. But you need to be prepared to pay a lot to have this repaired by a repair shop that is willing to do the work. That is the risk you take with the i8.
Great Video Pat!!
Hi Pat, great video, I appreciate your integrity in bringing this issue to light. I wonder if the redesign of the facelift models with the new front vent have anything to do with this issue. as you said, the AC is in the front under the hood, so maybe this new vent help release heat and help preserve the breakdown of the AC unit. Any way to see if the facelift models have a different type of AC unit part # that can be swapped?
This is an interesting idea. Pat, any insight on this?
The newest i8's have a smaller hole in the hood and the ductwork under the hood has smaller holes in it in order to allow that air pressure to go somewhere. The flow through the radiators and condenser should be the same. So, the AC system shouldn't realize any differences.
the direct answer to this is: yes. BMW has a part number for a more recent compressor as Pat says in the video. They have FOUR older compressor part numbers, as a matter of fact. I plan to put the latest one into my 2014 when my California 7-year emissions warranty runs out.
Hi there pat! Does this issue come all the BMW I8 or has this be issue been rectified, if so which year?
There hasn't been a particular year that doesn't have this issue. It seems to come up only om some cars when they are 4+ years old. Newer i8's haven't shown the problem yet. So, I'd only get an i8 with warranty to cover this or many other issues that can come up with the car.
Hi Pat, im thinking of but an i8, so far it seem that there is a lot of problems with this car. is it worth buying it ? I dont want bills after bills of work to done. Seem like a big liability
It's a great car as long as you have the BMW warranty in order to mitigate your risks. Sometimes you can get lucky with an i8 and own it for several years without issues. Sometimes you end up paying tens of thousands because a coolant leak developed without warning and it needs a new engine. It's the nature of the i8. You'll have to make your decision with all that in mind.
@@PatsGarageOnline last question Pat. Does the BMW extended warranty covers everything? It might be good to make a video on what the extended warranty doesnt cover. Does the i8 come with run flat tires? i always wondered what happened if you get a flat tire if there is not spare tire
Wow thanks for that! I have been looking at used I3s, but I had heard about this issue with them as well. I am certainly interested to know if they have fixed this issue in newer models, but I will not be touching one until I have some proof that they have fixed this issue!
I personally know multiple people that own newer i3s (2017-18 and 19) and none of them have any AC issues. In fact a 2017 i3 has over 120K miles on it and the AC works just fine, so all you need to do is to stay away from the earlier production years.
I saw the first report of a 2019 i8 having the AC failure just last month
@@PatsGarageOnline well, it ain’t a 4-runner after all, so anything can happen))
Great video Pat! Thanks for doing this, as an i8 owner it’s extremely valuable. I think if BMW are smart they would actually be saving themselves money for cars still under warranty if they replaced these as soon as there was any indication of noise/failure. It would be awesome to know if this is a very limited problem, or very common. As you say time will tell with the 14/15 models. If it is common I wonder if there is anything that the i8 community can do to influence BMWs decision to replace compressors, for instance class action lawsuits etc.
Unless a safety issue arose, it would not be financially beneficial for BMW to do anything about the defects in this compressor design, unless it started to create an issue with the brand. The i8 cost them more more money than they sold it for, so they're already starting with a loss, and they were ok with that. So I'm not sure what a lawsuit would do, to be honest. Porsche has campaigns to replace working transmissions in the Cayman GT4 because so many had a weld break in the gear box. Even if you never has that problem, Porsche still had you come in for a new gear box. I'd love to see that kind of customer service from BMW.
Hmm thanks for that, as an owner of a 2019 roadster, i love the car, i had noticed that when charging the car there seems to be a fan that comes on, however i did change the charging rate, to its lowest setting, which stops that, so perhaps this may help? Also i recently had a fridge that started to stop working and the fridge guy said that i had got a leak in the system and that it is gradually loosing coolant, and thus diminishing the cooling and also the lubrication in the compressor....So just a thought as the refrigerant is the lubricant for the compressor, do you think that some sort of pressure test say on an annual basis may be an idea as any drop would likely be because of say a small pinprick leak in the tubing, thus any reduction in refrigerant would cause the compressor to overheat ..any thoughts..ps the fridge guy put his hand on the compressor and said that its too hot..and said you need a new fridge.
I'm currently charging at the 110v rate, nightly so I only cycle the AC Compressor once during a charging session, around half way full. But, it's considered a slow charger compared to the 220v, higher kW charger. It's possible that there is a leak and oil is being lost. However, I haven't found any signs of a leak while taking apart the panels and looking under the hood. I'm not sure what the BMW techs are doing in order to test this and haven't had any dialogue with them about it. Some of the techs on the BMW forums also haven't provided much information about testing. I do believe heat has a lot to do with the issues we're experiencing and the service manual indicates that heat is an issue. Also, the scrolls have metal to metal contact. So, it's possible there are a lot of things going on all at once leading to the perfect storm. I just wish I knew the answers.
@@PatsGarageOnline Im not sure what the coolant is now, but it used to be something called R22 which i believe was called Freon. The new gas has smaller molecules and unless your system is completely leak free, it likes to escape..also it is the lubricant for the compressor..I wonder if having a regular air conditioning check for preasure and volume may be a good preventative measure
Mine has started to make a little noise now. I am out of warranty and plan to get this sorted before there’s a catastrophic failure. I will insist the lines are cleaned when the job is done. Does anyone have experience of the non OEM part that’s available for around £400 in the UK . I’m wondering if it can be any worse than the original.
Have you had yours repaired yet? Did it set you back a lot and did you go oem or not? Thanks
This is interesting - I have an X5 45E that has been in the dealer for a little over a month now getting the compressor and lines replaced (under warranty). It does look like there is an issue with the compressors.
I'm sorry to hear about your issue with the X5 45E. Please keep me posted on the issuel
@@PatsGarageOnline Finally got the car back - in the shop from May 3 to July 8. The biggest issue with the repair was parts availability. They replaced the compressor, but then found metal in the lines so had to replace most of the cooler lines (including all the cooling grids in the battery) as well. The final part was flushing the system with a special fluid (I don't remember if it was magnetic or non-magnetic).
The part number of the compressor used was 64-52-9-496-112 which I am hoping is one that resolves the issue. Since it was a warranty repair, I don't have a price on the invoice, but with a 2 1/2 month rental car, and all of the parts and labor to replace, I don't think it was a inexpensive repair.
Hi Pat! I just replaced the ac compressor, condenser and has the system evacuated and flushed, however when I got the car back it’s not blowing cold. I’m surprised they have the car back like that. Any clue what’s up with it, waiting to send it back now
I don't know. It will take the service center to diagnose this.
Great info, Thanks
Is that scroll compressor plate made from aluminium? If so, I am wondering if it might be worth it for people who have cars that are at risk of this to take the part and have one made from titanium or something that is harder and more resilient to heat.
According to the service manual, there is metal on metal contact as the scrolls touch each other. I would assume Aluminum was not used. But, I've never cracked open a compressor to find out. However, there are videos on the web of HVAC scroll compressors being disassembled and the results are unreal.
@@PatsGarageOnline i opened a dumped i8 compressor and took a few photos. What i did is to take a rubble ring for replacement in my i3 compressor. Please check the FB page BMW i3 Worldwide Group - The A/C compressor can wear like this.....
So I’m getting same noise- I have a 2015 i8 and it’s def my AC compressor when we open the hood- it’s coming right from it! It only makes noise when the heat/AC or vents are on but when I shut it all off noise goes away, also my heat and AC still work totally fine! Noise just started this morning.
I'm sorry this problem developed in your i8.
Today i received the quote for job. It was $18,000. My car never had a noise. One day the ac stop working. This is really bad. They don’t even know what to tell me, except that i own them a lot of money for my repair. But everything that pats just describe it happened!!
Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear this!
Thanks. But hopefully your video will help a lot of i8 owners or people considering buy one. Keep up the good work and thanks again!!
I have a few questions to help us understand your climate and conditions. What is the year and mileage of your i8? What country are you in? Did you buy it from the BMW dealership? Is it at a BMW service center?
My i8 it’s 2014 with 4,800 miles. I bought it from a friend two month ago. Now it’s at BMW service center at puerto rico
Thank you so much ❤
Would this lead one to reason that driving the car in electric only will shorten the life of the AC compressor? Might there be a way to add a kill switch to turn off the compressor if it starts shredding itself? Or is there still so much cooling demand that it would be more dangerous to do that?
If the compressor doesn't run, the car will display a fault and you can't drive. The high voltage battery is required to be operational even in gas mode. So cooling is necessary. Some owners have taken their cars in for a recharge and re-oiling as a preventative step. I'm waiting to see results.
@@PatsGarageOnline a
Ahhh, got it. What do you think of the idea that minimizing or eliminating electric-only driving might actually impact the longevity of the system? Sounds ridiculous, and of course we shouldn't have to think like that, but does it stand to reason?
@@royalp1687 I wish it was possible and still able to retain the electronics in the car. Too many of the systems need to talk. If the electronics were completely replaced with aftermarket and a larger gas engine dropped in the car, it would be faster and more reliable but the costs would be so expensive to do this that it would be better to own a Lambo
Hi Pat, great videos, love the car. My air con has stopped running cold. It’s a 2015 with only 28k miles. I’ve had it re gassed and main dealer said that there is no leak. They then said the 12v battery needs replacing as when it was low, it shut down the compressor. Had that changed but now saying it needs a new compressor. Car drives fine with no noises and no fault codes. My question is, how could the HV battery get cooled if the compressor isn’t operational? Do you think it’s ok to just leave it for now? Thanks, Steve
@@skimeister1620 hi Steve. First off, the HV battery runs the compressor so BMW replacing the 12v battery won't fix that. Not sure why they did. Secondly, the compressor needs to work to keep the HV batteries cool. You may get a drivetrain failure and the car won't run if the HV battery gets too hot. They need to diagnose the issue better.
Can I extend the warranty if it runs out on a 2015 i8? I'm looking at one with 28K miles, but the warranty ran out if anyone could help that would be nice thank you.
Just came across this video Pat. I am based in the UK where the temperature very rarely requires the A/C to be turned on. Do you think this problem might affect i8 cars in countries with higher ambient temperatures? I ask this as i only bought the car in Oct 2020 and i decided against going for a warranty till the HV battery warranty runs out in 2023.
I don't have enough data to be able to say that this only affects certain countries or certain climates. I just know that if you do drive the car in eDrive very hard then it definitely will engage the air conditioning in order to keep those batteries cool. The same can be said for preconditioning where it will warm up the batteries. It can do so by reversing the flow of the refrigerant. Same holds true for charging. Charging generates heat and it requires the air conditioning refrigerant to cool the high voltage batteries. It's possible you may be okay in your climate but I'm not sure.
@@PatsGarageOnline i think i might not charge my car up as often as i do. I think once a week will suffice. Thanks for highlighting this issue Pat
Good gravy. If I was facing a $10k labour bill I think I would buy a lift. Then buy one of those $6,000 engine lowering tables. Then do a course on working on EV's safely. Then do the work myself. Well, you know, I think I'd do that :) But really, sounds like you have to keep $1500 per annum aside every year to build up a fund for preventative maintenance for this item. Scary times .... But I still would love one. What's wrong with me ha ha !
My i3 makes no noise but aircon does not work to cool cabin. Have had car for nearly 2 years. No fault code for hot high volt battery. Drives fine.
Could it be the valve that directs refrigerent/coolant to battery at fault.?
Scanner says no info about aircon
Sadly, there are too many components involved and it would require more troubleshooting before I could suggest the valve being at fault. I believe the service center will have to troubleshoot.
Thanks@@PatsGarageOnline
where can i find the california emission warranty part list? i want to show it to my dealer since they said it is only 4 years
Google search for: BMW Service and Warranty Book
You will find a link to the BMW site which allows you to search for, and download, a copy of the warranty book for your i8. Near the end of that PDF will be a list of items covered under Cali Emissions.
@@PatsGarageOnline thank u so much..dealer is willing to pay for it only after i showed them the warranty
una pregunta
no es posible ,colocar otro compresor ,similar en tamaño y potencia?
es que si cada 4 años, muere
uffff
Hi Pat I’m starting to hear this exact noise on my 2015 i8 19k miles it happened out of sudden on road I thought a leaf got caught in my fan… but no it’s the compressor noise, what are the chances of the worst case scenario with metal fragments ? And what’s the best case scenario could it at all be just refrigerant or just replacement of air compressor. Is there any way of someone doing it outside of BMW like a local BMW expert ?
BMW is your best bet. Someone else may do it cheaper but if there is a problem you'll end up back at BMW. So, buy once, cry one, I suppose. I can't assume how bad the problem is. I haven't gotten enough feedback from i8 owners to be able to predict that. Let me know what your service center finds out.
Pat's Garage Online also I’m considering purchasing extended warranty ASAP that covers all these affected parts and then going to my service after that. If I get 2 yr extended warranty for 5-6k that’s a better bet then going to them without and expecting 18k I’m just not sure if the 3rd party warranty needs to check up the car before giving me coverage and possibly seeing this issue
@@pilpilnyc501 definitely read the sample contract that the warranty company has to provide to you in order to ensure you meet all the requirements.
Hi Pat so my BMW dealership couldn’t match my noise so after a few days of trying they heard a little bit and said yes it’s a faulty compressor saying no further issues they would drain the lines flush them replace everything with labor 2800$ done in one day. So hoping this is the end of it and I can still keep my baby
Oh yeah this is PilPilnyc just my different account
Appreciate the video and detail. Happened to mine like clockwork around 29k miles. Pretty disgusted at the QC here. BMW should have recalled this a long time ago just to prevent everyone's expensive cars from trashing themselves. It's my first BMW and I expected better from the company- maybe I shouldn't have though.
I'm sorry to hear you've had the same problem. It's very frustrating for owners to go through this.
Just happened to me and no warranty here
What year model do you guys have?
@@jaylenpopin 2014 here. Also, just this week, my A/C failed AGAIN with a clunky mechanical noise. Just over 500 miles on it since A/C replacement. It's not diagnosed yet, but this has me nervous.
Jeremy Enos hey did you have any updates on this?
Wow man I was planning to buy an i8 but after watching this video I think I better wait for Cybertruck or any less-maintenance car; especially I live in Dubai which is very hot in summer! I don't want my AC to break down in a place where temperature raise up to 122 F!!
Thank you very much for the video, it's really informative and helpful. Keep it up brother!
Thank you! The Tesla vehicles cool their batteries with liquid coolant, like the coolant that keeps an engine from overheating. So they won't have the same issue as the i8 does. However, mix water coolant with batteries and see what happens. 🤣
@@PatsGarageOnline man but I still love i8.. Is it worth to buy it only for its looks?
@@mohamedtamim5127 if you have enough money to repair it, then you can justify owning and keeping it. The only thing that will keep this car running is money.
@@PatsGarageOnline 💔 such a harsh reality.. Thanks for informing me about this
Is this happening on later models eg 2018
Yes. There was no update to the system in later years.
Is this AC compressor used in any other vehicle (even non-BMW)? Do we know the actual manufacturer of the compressor (even though it's branded BMW)? Great video!
Thanks. I have no idea who actually makes the compressor or where else it might be used. I was unable to determine that from research online and I've never held a compressor in hand to see what inscription it has. All I can offer is data that I've gathered from other i8 owners, and their experiences.
Not sure about the i8, but the i3 has one made by Hanon Systems/HVCC in Portugal. This may have changed over different revisions/years, so ymmv.
My I8 is now in with BMW with Aircon noises especially when charging ... they are saying it "firstly" needs a regas as it could be low on refrigerant ... lets see how this goes , its also there for Fuel Pressure Sensor issue throwing error on as tank flap opening (FUEL SYSTEM ERROR). Like you ive got an extended warranty ;-)
UPDATE: BMW had to change fuel pump for the fuel door issue (7 hours) .... and they say the regas has fixed the aircon noise as the gas was low .... yet to test both of the above i hould have car back tomorrow.
UPDATE: Fuel Pump with integral Fuel Sensor finally took BMW tech 9 hours to fit .... and AIRCON regas COMPLETELY sorted out the aircon noise ... IMHO low refrigerant gas is causing the overheating/wear on the conditioner pump ..... aircon soooooo quiet now. FYI mine is a 2015 with 58k miles.
Thank you for this
I wonder if we will see more failures In hot countries/states where the unit has to work harder?
The AC works harder when we're in pure eDrive as the heat generated inside the high voltage battery pack increases when charging and discharging. I'm not sure about other climates, but you may be on to something!
@Pat's Garage Online Good info stuff... I drive my 2019 roadster nearly 80% of time in full electric.... I'll keep the ac off just in case - mind it's pretty inclement/chilly here in Cambridge UK most of the Sept-Mar period though!!
Thank you for sharing this valuable information. However what seems strange to me ist the fact, that I couldn’t find any similar messages in one of the biggest german i3 community forums. Only message I’ve found has to do with noise due to less coolant fluid. If it‘s really the same part in the i8, shouldn‘t it cause much more problems in the i3 due to the much higher demand of battery cooling? Really strange.
Thanks for this data. It's quite possible that the I8 electric motor is configured to provide more power quickly and therefore heat up the batteries quicker. Or the battery pack in the i3 dissipates heat better requiring less refrigerant pressure. I'm not sure but those are my initial thoughts.
@@PatsGarageOnline I have read several reports about I3s with the exact same problem. I had trouble finding references to it on RUclips, but I found quite a few in forums.
what milage were these vehicles experiencing the issue? and what climate? has this happened to anyone in the UK?
I can't pinpoint whether or not this is only happening in some climates because the folks that post about it are both in the US and EU and it's happened to them, randomly. Those who post are a small subset of owners that we never hear from.
Pat's Garage Online yeah true, I had a look too and there are some people who are having this issue on a vehicle with only 4000 miles on it! Has put me off getting one which is a shame
I was looking to buy an i8 but I think I'll avoid now which is a shame.
to me today!!! 22,000 miles.... 16 built car.
I just bought mine two month ago with 4,000 miles and it’s been at the dealer ship practically same time. The bill it’s up to a $8,000 now for the same reason. Too bad i didn’t know. I paid for the car $85,000 in July 20 and the ac broke 5 days later
Oh wow. I'm sorry to hear it. The previous owner probably knew about it and never disclosed it. I wonder if you have an legal recourse.
Hello this is really bad! Can you say how the defective announced itself. Did it not cool the interior or by noise?
Today i received the quote for the job. It was $17,800
My car never had a noise. One day the ac stop working. This is really bad. They don’t even know what to tell me, except that i own them a lot of money
Oh no 😮
@@joserequena4711 I was now three times each year 18,19,20 at BMW, the first time was filled with forming gas and tried to find a leak. The second time was probably only filled up. After that the air conditioning worked fine again. Now the third time I pressed harder because I already paid twice. Now a leak in the vaporizer was measured, it was replaced. But I am not sure if everything is good now.
Wow....if only it was just a relay! Lol.
I wish!
I want an i8 to retool into a non electric and where it's going it won't need A/C
Sam might sell his to you if he can't get his fixed
GOOD 👍 NO1 USA
Might start looking to selling my baby
"What is this 'NOISE' I'm hearing?" Ha, ha. More like what is this "RACKET" I'm hearing!? It sounded like a frigg'n rock tumbler. My cement mixer makes less noise! As I continue to listen about your experience with your warranty, whoa! Where's the fine print in your warranty that says in have to wait until the "situation" gets worse before your warranty becomes active. They should have a "WARNING! Warranty will not be activated until situation get worse!"
You also point out soooo many questions for which there are no answers for and/or for which no one is willing to release answers/information on. I love how BMW USA plays ping-pong. 'Oh, you must contact your dealer." Then you contact your dealer who tells you, "Oh you have to contact BMW USA." Talk about a dog chasing it's tail!
Lastly, it's just a matter of time though before BMW does contact you. Why? Probably to have you served a with "Cease and Desist Order." They have no idea the influence that channel originators like yourself have!
Keep shouting the truth from the roof top,
never give up and never stop!
You are the Don Quixote of the I8 world,
just stay steady and never swirl!
Your day will come and songs will be sung,
on how I8 Pat fought the battle and won!
Save the Wave🙋🏼♂️
Yeah, Peter, the CPO warranty is not like the factory one. Any complaints about the car need prior approval before they do the work. If I was under factory warranty, my compressor would have likely been replaced. So that's why this was different.
I'm not sure what will happen because of this video. BMW told my friend @evapors that they don't care about people's RUclips channels. And since the car is no longer being produced, they likely won't do anything about it.
However, if this video serves as a warning to prevent a ton of money being lost by owners, I think it is a good thing. The only bad thing is that existing i8 owners may not find buyers. Me included.
@@PatsGarageOnline As to the CPO warranty, I did find that interesting. As to "if" your car was still under factory warranty, I agree, the compressor would have have likely been replaced. But that clock is kinda ticking. You would know better than I, but replacement parts only have to be made, or held in stock for a certain time period. At the expiration of that time, no matter how "friendly" your dealer maybe, or your CPO insurance company may be, it might just be a situation where you're told the part(s) are no longer available. THAT is when you I8 becomes a boat anchor.
I hear you about BMW not caring about youtube, unless it's to advertise their product line, but I think it's mainly because the I8 is no longer being produced. Ergo, the door has been slammed closed on customer service and it's bye-bye Mr. Customer!
Again, I applaud your video in that if it even helps just one "tire-kicker" out there from NOT buying one, well, it's all been worth it. But remember Don-Patrick Quixote, at times Windmills can be a worthy opponent. Save the Wave🙋🏼♂️
No way I would buy a BMW especially the i8. These things are money pits... I'll stay with Audi...
Fuc**n vehicles, why do we do this shit to ourselves? People waste so much money on cars just to drive around, most peeps don’t even think about putting money away for rainy days or retirement but they will throw it away on a stupid car or truck that drops in value right away, good luck with your Beemer😐
This is happening to me nowwwww
I'm sorry to hear this
I8 or i3. Terrible compressors.
Goodbye i8...