JonnyLP Posted June 21, 2006 Report Share Posted June 21, 2006 I have just taken my 2002 S3 back to the dealers to look at an air con problem. I got the air con re-gassed with dye in it around the same time last year and during the recent 'heat wave' realised that the air con unit was warm and not getting really cold. I booked it in 3 weeks ago and as I have the Audi / Mondial Warranty I expected it to be fixed without any issues. I received a call from the dealers advising that the air con unit had no pressure and a fault code was registered as 'low gas', to which i replied is this due to a leak. They confirmed that after visual checks there is signs of damage to the outside of the condenser perhaps cuased by a stone. Due to this 'impact damage' its not repairable under the warranty and an estimation intially is £751.92. I queried this as I feld that as there are no visible stone chips to the bonnet, skirts, front bumper etc I am amazed that a stone has found its way through the bottom grill and caused this much damage !! What I asked the dealer was : Is the condenser sub-standard quality ? Is this a regular occurance ? Should there be a wire mesh behind the grill to prevent this and hence a design fault ? I also asked if it was worth speaking to Audi and they told me to ring the customer service number !!! If anyone on here could give me any advise I would be much appreciative. Or even your thoughts as you may want to take preventative action if possible. Cheers and sorry to go on long winded, its a little frustrating when I take so much care of the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted June 21, 2006 Report Share Posted June 21, 2006 An auto air-con specialist might be able to give a better indication of what the problem is or maybe even repair the condenser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyLP Posted June 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2006 Cheers Vic will try that but just frustrated that the dealers are saying a small stone looks like it has caused the possible damage to the condenser. It seems odd that the condenser is so temperamental. Nothing definate but this is all they came up with and its NOT covered under the warranty !! So much for that ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted June 21, 2006 Report Share Posted June 21, 2006 I'd have thought the condenser (which looks like a small radiator in front of the cooling system radiator) would have to be pretty tough due to the internal pressures that it has to handle? How often do you hear of a main radiator being damaged by a small stone? They must be built to handle the rigours of where they are located and the job they have to do! Strange Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyLP Posted June 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2006 Exactly what I was thinking Vic. I know the car is now coming upto 4 years old however I had it regassed last year so if this is the problem then the car was less than 3 years when the condensor got damaged. Going to contact Audi Customer Service but not holding my breath. Anyone any tips on dealing with Audi direct, any specific names I could write into ? Anyone suggestions would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3Bangs Posted June 22, 2006 Report Share Posted June 22, 2006 Hmmm.. I'd say try and get a second opinion first. If the diagnosis is the same, I dont think you'd get much sympathy from the dealers and would have to pay up to be honest. If that be the case, ring up Audi UK, and see if you can get it done as a goodwill gesture. As you have the extended warranty they might just be a tad sympathetic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyLP Posted June 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2006 Will give that a try and see what they say. Going to get a second opinion today from a air con specialist as the delaers advised they couldn't see any dye leaking from the location on the condensor that they think is damaged ! I was under the impression that the dye would show up under UV light if there was a leak ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scheemy Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 Hi I have a Volvo S40 and i had a new condenser fitted when the car was just 12 months old. My front bumper does have a big unprotected section where a stone has hit the condenser. I mentioned this to Volvo and they are aware of it but will do nothing about it because they sell condensers and claim its not a warranty job! They told me to go to Halfords and get some mesh to put behind the bumper! I ended getting an after-market condenser. Apparently they are all made in the same place anyway. Good Luck getting it sorted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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