[coralrover]

Hi, need some help or guidance. I'm a Brit and live in Germany. Today I took my car to my local dealer for an oil change and A/C check, as it was not getting cold anymore. I had the same problem 2 years ago and they refilled the A/C with fluid.

Went to collect the car tonight and was told that the A/C Condenser is not "dicht" - that means not sealed, I thing it's loosing pressure when they tested it. Maybe caused by a flying stone. Cost of a new condenser is Euro 690 all in !!.

I don't believe they did a detailed visual inspection as they appeared not to be sure what the damage was.

My question is,  How can I know if the condenser IS damaged (maybe a small hole) or maybe just a loose connection in one of the pipes.

I've done a check on the internet tonight in Germany and can get a brand new non OEM for a quarter of the price.

On the written estimate, the dealer lists the part number as 97606-2L600. Several of the ads I seen (some on eBay) give the same 'original hyundai' part number.

One concern I have is that in a couple of the ads for that part number, it states " for Manual A/C not Automatic" I have Automatic - so I'm confused how a part number appears to have variations for manual/auto.

Has anyone had any experience with this issue.

Wouls eally appreciate some help/comments

Thanks

[Dazzler]

A tricky one .. Hope one or more of our savvy members can help 

[Phil №❶]

Don't purchase anything yet. Your air cond needs filling with gas containing a dye which shows leaks under UV light. There are many areas where a leak can occur, so don't automatically assume it is the condenser. Have this test done and confirm the leak location.

[Asterix]

I agree with Phil, sorry for not mentioning this in the PM earlier today.

On mine there was also a defect valve where the low pressure is connected to the machine.

[coralrover]

Thanks for the advise. I'm off to the UK tomorrow so will try to get a Hyundai dealer to carry out the test there before I decide what to do - I sure as hell are not going to pay Euro 690 for an OEM part.

Could have it fitted and the next day another stone !!

Cheers

[jon d]

I had the same problem and took it to local garage who changed the condenser in the end and paid £200 less than  a Hyundai garage would have charged

[UKRTornado]

Sorry for a bit of thread necro, and hi!

Have exactly the same issue in my i30, and I'm not the only one, had mine tested with dye and apparently the condenser lit up like a Christmas tree under UV. Hyundai cost of replacement... over £600!

A lot of research I have seen has said this is caused by "stone damage" which, with my limited knowledge, I call rubbish. Not a chance I am going to pay 1/10th of what the car cost to fix it, so does anyone have any experience or advice for how to bring this price down? The car is no longer under warranty and, to be honest, I would not have trusted my dealership to do it under warranty anyway. They would only tell me if it was covered once they had charged me almost £200 for taking it to bits...

Thanks in advance for any advice anyone has.

[Dazzler]

  UKR

If it is that easy to be damaged it is a poor design IMHO..

There should be a cheaper alternative, hopefully someone can come up with one to help you guys who are out of warranty.

If it were me i would visit a few Air Con specialists and see what options they offer 

[UKRTornado]

Hey Dazz, and thanks for the welcome. I have heard great things about this community and its such a shame that my first contribution is not just one problem, but two (I will leave you in suspense about the second for a while! )

Kwik Fit (a pretty large UK chain, for those who haven't heard of them) have quoted me much lower but I am concerned that they will pull the old "finding its much more complicated when they are half way through it" trick and rack up the charges. With winter coming, I may not bother doing anything for a while to be honest...

[Phil №❶]

With any work on cars I get a written quote first and hold them to the price. If you state that unexpected incidentals are their responsibility and they agree, then they get the job.

I would check out AC specialist companies too, after all it's their business. It is likely that a cheaper condenser will not be a genuine Hy part. I'd also be looking at some sort of stone barrier as well, behind the grille to reduce / eliminate further damage.

[UKRTornado]

Hi Phil, thanks for the reply.

At this stage with the car out of warranty I'm not too concerned about using genuine Hy parts. I've quizzed one or two places who pretty much flat refused to do the work, which I found very odd - kwikfit and Hyundai are the only quotes I have, Hyundai because I bullied them into telling me how much it would cost and Kwik Fit because it was them that found the problem! I'll try and find some others.

[Phil №❶]

I'm very surprised that companies don't want to do the repair. Air conditioning is designed to do a particular job, that said, the designers at Hy have done all the hard work determining the size of components to adequately cool your vehicle. So, if I was in that business, I'd simply replace the condenser, with one of equal area and thermal performance and the job is done.

I and the rest of the forum, would be very interested in your input as to the reasons some companies won't replace your condenser. I can not see any reason to turn work away. 


Please keep us posted. 

[tohis]

I'd also be looking at some sort of stone barrier as well, behind the grille to reduce / eliminate further damage.

That's what I'm thinking too. Some fine steel mesh at the inner side of the grille would protect the condenser from flying stones and insects. It could quickly save its price 50-fold.

Furthermore, the A/C in GD i30 is filled with that new R1234yf refrigerant which isn't cheap either, and definitely not covered by warranty in the case of stone damage.

[UKRTornado]

Hmm, one who simply replied "We have no stock of that condenser at the moment."

Well, suit yourself sir...!

[Phil №❶]