XF a/c

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Simpo Two

Original Poster:

85,422 posts

265 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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Just swapped my ageing S-Type for a lovely XF and getting to grips with how much bigger it is!

I viewed the car at a (non-Jaguar) dealer and, despite their assurances of how many things they check pre-sale, evidently they didn't check the a/c as it was totally ineffective, just blowing hot air at me. They took the car round the back, diagnosed a chipped condenser, said it would cost them about £300 and that the part would be delivered next day. Next week they delivered the car and the a/c was fine. The driver even commented how cold it was (presume he hadn't seen how to turn the temp up?).

Three days later and the a/c is totally broken again. Hence I wonder whether they really fitted a new condenser as implied, or just cracked a fried egg into it and hoped? So my question is - can anyone tell me how to find the condenser, so I can look at it and see if it's new or not. Google isn't playing ball.

DuraAce

4,240 posts

160 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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It's in front (or behind) the coolant radiator. Looks just the same as the radiator, perhaps slightly smaller in size. Will have rigid pipework connected to it as opposed to the rubber hoses of the coolant radiator.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

85,422 posts

265 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
quotequote all
Thanks. I can't see anything from inside the engine bay as it's so crammed full of stuff, but looking through the front grille with a torch I can see what appears to be a medium-sized radiator with a taller one sticking up a few cm above it. The front (smaller) one is labelled 'Nissens Denmark' and although I can't see any pipework, it has a vertical grey column about 1" diameter running up the left side (as viewed through the grille). It does seem new, so I wonder why the a/c has failed again? Maybe the condenser appeared damaged but the fault is eleswhere?

And if they are prone to stone damage, perhaps a smaller mesh grill behind the plastic showy one might be an idea?

DuraAce

4,240 posts

160 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
quotequote all
Could be leaking from anywhere. If there is any gas left in it you might be able to hear it hissing.

Failing that, it needs pressure testing (often with some UV dye added) to see where your issue is. Pray it's not the evaporator or you'll need the dashboard removing!

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

85,422 posts

265 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
quotequote all
There's certainly no gas in it. And I was told they used dye to find the fault in the first place. Car has only done 33K miles.

I'll talk to the dealer before doing anything; I don't want to give them any grounds for not paying for the repair. Thanks for the info smile

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

85,422 posts

265 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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Hmm. They say that because it was a part/repair they fitted that might have failed, they have to have the car back to look at it. That's 160 miles away and contradicts what I was told about the warranty, namely that if work was required I could take the car to a local garage.

Does that sound true or are they just being awkward?

DuraAce

4,240 posts

160 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
Harsh but fair I think. No attempt to sound like a prat here, but it's not the dealers fault you live 160 miles away.

If the condenser has failed (been fitted badly?) then I can't see how they can claim that under warranty. Their guys would need to remove it and swop it with their parts supplier. The condenser seller won't pay a garage of your choice to change it.

Personally, I'd take it to a local place for an opinion on what's required. Can't take more than 30 minutes to put some nitrogen in and see where the leak is.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

85,422 posts

265 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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I refered it up to the Sales Manager, a jolly geezer gorblimey fellow. He was under the impression that the car had been delivered with a broken a/c. When I told him it was working fine on delivery but broken three days later, he said that was different, and was a warranty issue after all - and the car's going to be looked at on Wednesday by a local garage.

Whilst on a winning streak I mentioned that their 'customer charter' says all cars will be supplied with at least 6 months MOT, but mine has only 4. He offered me a 'deal' whereby I can spend five hours and half a tank of fuel getting a free one from them in January. banghead

Geezers, the lot of them.

Jaguar steve

9,232 posts

210 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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I'd get it MOT'd independently right now at your own expense whilst it's still under warranty. If anything else crops up after doing so you can go back and have a full and frank exchange of views about whose paying for that too and then give the Cheeky Geeezah a smaaakinnnerfaaarkinmarrrf as a leaving gesture.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

85,422 posts

265 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
Well now he says 'Let me know the cheapest cost for an MOT near to you'.

But he says he's not going to authorise any a/c repair work until I sign the 'demands and needs' form about financial products (which I didn't take). He seems very keen that I sign it... I sense this gives me a bit of leverage...

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 22 August 21:32