X540e AC Compressor Whine?

[BriceApp]

I have noticed our 2016 (74k miles) has started having a sporadic whine to it that appears to be coming from the electric AC compressor. On the electric and hybrid vehicles the AC compressor cools the interior and the battery packs.

Now, looking around the internet it appears to be a large and expensive (10k+) issue that can develop on i3’s, i8’s, and some hybrids. Has anyone here with a hybrid X5 run into this issue? Did it fail over time or all of a sudden? How many miles were on your X5? Thanks.

[srybicki]

My was a crank pulley make sure that's not it.
It's less then 2k a in.

[BriceApp]

Thanks, I saw your comment on another post about the pulley. Unfortunately this whine occurs without the ICE running.

[BriceApp]

Update:

The A/C compressor sound was getting worse. Dropped it off at my local BMW independent repair shop. The quote right now for compressor, condenser/dryer, expansion valve, and a through flush is $5100. This is assuming/hoping there is no metal in the lines.

Pretty sad that the compressor is trying to implode at 75k miles.

[srybicki]

That's crazy expensive I have 110k and maybe time to get a newer model.

[BriceApp]

Yes it is. The dealer would be even more expensive. The AC compressor is around $2k by itself.

[BriceApp]

Link to video/sound of my dying AC compressor on our hybrid.

https://youtube.com/shorts/b_dIZPb_4...zcYFpSZ4HoVYrY

[srybicki]

https://www.rycompressors.com/shop/2...RoCqCQQAvD_BwE


A bit cheaper

[BriceApp]

Got the car back and the new compressor you can barely hear it running while charging or in electric only mode. I got to talk to the tech who said there was metal in the system close to the compressor, but it luckily had not made its way to the battery pack. He flushed the main lines/system, and also was able to isolate and flush the battery pack lines/system.

I don’t know if it matters or not but I filed a complaint with the NHTSA (11544290) for this compressor issue. I doubt it will ever come to anything but thought I would on behalf of hybrid and electric BMW owners, as this seems to be a defective part.

Some billing highlights for anyone else that runs into this issue.
Independent BMW Repair Facility:
Updated compressor from BMW (64-52-9-496-106) as I had an older part number $2100
BMW Condenser $700
BMW Expansion Valve $200
Compressor oil as this compressor takes special oil from BMW $125
Various o rings, flushing liquid, and R134A $190
Labor $1600