More of a rant at the dealers incompetence really, but can someone confirm the following...
If the technicians diagnose that a small stone has holed the air con condenser, am I correct in thinking that the aircon wouldn't work at all (ie produce uncooled air)?
Been thinking that the aircon on SWMBO's car is a bit feeble for some time. Main dealer told us last year that they re-gassed the system. But they have now backtracked and said yesterday that 1) the system was fully pressurised last time and they couldn't/didn't add any more gas, and 2) hey, the condensor is holed, pay us 750 quid for a new one.
Told them to get lost and took the car back from them, drove it home and hey the air con is (still) working...
So is the dealership manned by jerks, or do I have absolutely no idea how aircon works?!?! (or both!)
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Firstly,if the condenser has been holed by a stone,consider yourself very unlucky.I have been in the auto air business for over 40 years and the number of condensers that have genuinely been stone damaged can be counted on one hand.A leak in the condenser this bad will mean no gas pressure in the system and no cooling function.However,as this part sits right at the front of the car,the aluminium material does eventually become porous/corroded due to external influences(eg road dirt/salt).It is very possible that the condenser has a slow leak,that may not be easily detectable on initial inspection.If this part does need replacing,take the car to an a/c indy specialist who should be able to complete the whole job for around half this price.
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Had to fit a new condenser on my 307 as it had a very obvious (when removed) impact damage hole in it...
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>> or do I have absolutely no idea how aircon works?!?!
Um... What's the outside temperature been today where you are? Aircon won't have any detectable effect at ambient temperatures of 4°C or below.
I never turn my a/c off; partly through laziness but also because it defaults to "on" every time I switch the climate between manual and auto - but I haven't been able to detect its effect for a month or more.
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BMW X3 E83 SUV - 11 2000 Aircon condenser query - carmalade
