Golf MK6 Air Con Condenser damaged by stone!
Discussion
My Mk6 GTD is in the dealers right now as the AC isn't working, they've just called me to say it cannot be fixed under warranty as the fault is due to stone damage to the condenser (aircon rad) itself which sits directly behind the front grill. They've offered me a GOOD WILL price of £493! The service agents says the stone can be visibly seen (whilst the bumper is off) so I have asked for a picture to be taken whilst the bumper is off so I can see said damage for myself.
Anyway, as you can imagine, I'm pretty annoyed by this, as the car is under warranty, but their angle is the fault has been caused by damage so it's not covered under the warranty on the vehicle. I understand that the grill needs to have holes/vents in it to aid cooling of the engine etc but all I have done is driven the car as I should, sat up and down the M6 everyday on my commute, it's not like I've done the Dakar rally in it!
The rough breakdown of the quote is £300 parts, £200 labour, including the goodwill gesture.
Does anyone think it's worth contacting VW Customer Services about this? You simply cannot prevent the possibility of a stone travelling through the front grill and damaging the radiator, it's not been caused by mis-use and I've not damaged it through any fault of my own. Not overly impressed with having to part with the best part of £500 and am keen to explore other options. If I did pay out and got it sorted what's to say it wouldn't happen again, it clearly could!
The stone has damaged the condenser, as you can now see from the pics they have leak tested it, and the green dye is leaking from the stone indentation.
It's only done 23,500 miles FFS!
Anyway, as you can imagine, I'm pretty annoyed by this, as the car is under warranty, but their angle is the fault has been caused by damage so it's not covered under the warranty on the vehicle. I understand that the grill needs to have holes/vents in it to aid cooling of the engine etc but all I have done is driven the car as I should, sat up and down the M6 everyday on my commute, it's not like I've done the Dakar rally in it!
The rough breakdown of the quote is £300 parts, £200 labour, including the goodwill gesture.
Does anyone think it's worth contacting VW Customer Services about this? You simply cannot prevent the possibility of a stone travelling through the front grill and damaging the radiator, it's not been caused by mis-use and I've not damaged it through any fault of my own. Not overly impressed with having to part with the best part of £500 and am keen to explore other options. If I did pay out and got it sorted what's to say it wouldn't happen again, it clearly could!
The stone has damaged the condenser, as you can now see from the pics they have leak tested it, and the green dye is leaking from the stone indentation.
It's only done 23,500 miles FFS!
It's probably worth mentioning that VW actually sell an inner grill which is there to protect the condenser, but it's not a standard fit, who knows why! I've emailed and tweeted VW UK now to see what they say, but as you guys say, it's unlucky and I'm unlucky that it'll probably end up costing me near on £500.
Its with VW UK now they are looking into it, but I will definitely be getting the inner mesh grill fitted as an extra when the repair is under taken to avoid this happening again.
I'd like VW to do the work really, not because I like giving money away, but the compressor itself is also a common weakness on the Mk6 (and Mk5's I believe) and should I experience future problems with my AC I don't want to give them the opportunity to say that the condenser I had fitted elsewhere had caused a fault.
I'm hopeful now that I know that an inner mesh is available to prevent this from happening that VW UK will be more forthcoming with a decent offer towards the repair.
I'd like VW to do the work really, not because I like giving money away, but the compressor itself is also a common weakness on the Mk6 (and Mk5's I believe) and should I experience future problems with my AC I don't want to give them the opportunity to say that the condenser I had fitted elsewhere had caused a fault.
I'm hopeful now that I know that an inner mesh is available to prevent this from happening that VW UK will be more forthcoming with a decent offer towards the repair.
An update on this. After raising a case with VW Customer Care, they have agreed to lower the cost of the repair by a further £100.
A little win on my side, rather than backing down and just agreeing to pay the price they originally wanted.
Now i've asked if they'll fit the extra grill during the works, to hopefully prevent it from happening again.
A little win on my side, rather than backing down and just agreeing to pay the price they originally wanted.
Now i've asked if they'll fit the extra grill during the works, to hopefully prevent it from happening again.
Woah, this escalated.
Gottans - Opinions are like belly buttons, everyone's got one.
Campo, SteBrown91 and NPI - Thanks, as you said, nothing ventured, nothing gained. £100 is better in my pocket than VW's and does restore some faith in the dealership.
Next week I'll have a new condenser, a system clean, re-gas and a nice protective grill. All for about 60% of what they wanted to charge me originally. If i'd have rolled over and paid the original £693 would VW have sent me a Christmas Card? I think not.
VW advised that the inner grill isn't fitted in the UK as our roads are considered to be decent, but it is fiited elsewhere in Europe, they've agreed to fit that for no additional cost, which will at least give me piece of mind to at least prevent it happening again during my 18k pa travels.
Gottans - Opinions are like belly buttons, everyone's got one.
Campo, SteBrown91 and NPI - Thanks, as you said, nothing ventured, nothing gained. £100 is better in my pocket than VW's and does restore some faith in the dealership.
Next week I'll have a new condenser, a system clean, re-gas and a nice protective grill. All for about 60% of what they wanted to charge me originally. If i'd have rolled over and paid the original £693 would VW have sent me a Christmas Card? I think not.
VW advised that the inner grill isn't fitted in the UK as our roads are considered to be decent, but it is fiited elsewhere in Europe, they've agreed to fit that for no additional cost, which will at least give me piece of mind to at least prevent it happening again during my 18k pa travels.
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