It appears that the AC compressor is dying in my 2005 E53 4.4i. The symptoms point to something in the clutch causing intermittent operation. I have looked for a replacement clutch but it appears that the clutch is not available separately from the compressor. A BMW brand compressor is $1300 to $1500 but there is a plethora of aftermarket brands available in the $200 to $500 range. Does anybody out there have any experience with aftermarket compressors? I usually buy only BMW brand parts, but in this case the potential savings is high and my X5 has 140K miles on the clock. Looking for some feedback.....
AceEngineer
My better half's DD.....2005 X5 4.4i
My DD.......................2008 X3 3.0si
You cannot fully and accurately diagnose the ac system until you charge the system to the correct amount of Freon, if the pressures are off the system won’t work correctly
I'm not asking how to diagnose an A/C system. I'm asking if anybody has any experience with non-BMW brand compressors. The system works just fine when the clutch engages but intermittently the clutch will refuse to engage for days, but occasionally it starts working for a while. I've checked and there is power applied to the clutch just no engagement. It appears you cannot buy the clutch separately from the compressor and my clutch seems to have an intermittent failure mode.
AceEngineer
My better half's DD.....2005 X5 4.4i
My DD.......................2008 X3 3.0si
You have to buy a complete compressor, what brand compressor are you looking at
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