Air Con Fault ... cost £463 !!!

[kev.whitehead]

I had the aircon topped up a few weeks ago and it only seemed to work for a few days, then started just giving out 'cool' air .... so straight back to my local garage with it.
They found, after doing a pressure test and not the original vacuum test, that the condensor rad was leaking. In fact, it had 2 small stones embedded in it!! The grill under the number plate has quite large holes in it, and so stones and other small'ish bits can go straight through and damage the condensor!! I think some mesh type of grill is in order now.
£278 for the condensor rad, £90 for the gas service (again), and £94 labour !

And on top off all that, the engine light has come on showing a EGR fault ... arghh!!!!

[chewy71]

hmmmm... bet this is what mine has!!! Mine drains after 4 weeks.

[Bigtee]

£278 for the condensor rad

They can be repaired at a radiator specialist, about £50.00 for 2x small holes.

Yes the mesh grill is a good idea it's been discussed before.

[MadOnVaux!]

That seems expensive for the condensor!!

and as for the mesh, what sort of mesh would be suitable and how would it be fitted??

Just that my Dad's Elite has just gone in for a new condensor and we discussed fitting mesh behind the lower grille to solve the stone damage issue.

[plasma]

condenser rad for these cars are no more than £120 and thats an OEM part

[cont1204]

There's a 'how 2' guide on here I think to change the a/c condenser yourself too. See if you can dig it out and save yourself a lot of money!

[MadOnVaux!]

condenser rad for these cars are no more than £120 and thats an OEM part

Yeah, that's what it's costing us.

[Bullylad]

I had to have my rad replaced last year and then they said it was a common fault for stones to damage it.

Common fault or design fault?

Iv never had a problem with any other air con system on any other car regardless of age or miles. Still had to stump ur the reddies tho?

[markm]

condenser rad for these cars are no more than £120 and thats an OEM part

I just paid £108 for a new one with 2 year warranty and fitted it myself, then took it to the dealers for a regas and two tyres ballanced for £40

[sb1uk]

I had a new condenser put in mine last year for £150 fitted.