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Aircon Repair, Cooling Coil Leak


TopGear
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Confirmed that my BMW (316 96model) cooling coil is leaking. After topping up gas, the aircon is cold. After few day, when I on the aircon, smoky particles was blown out and afterthat, not cold anymore. [furious]

 

The workshop recommended to use OEM copper coil which is cheaper ~$400+ and more durable (at least 4-5 year no problem) rather the original coil which is aluminium, more ex. ~$1,100, though faster cooling but may leak again in just 2-3 year time.

 

The whole repair work cost ard $750 which inclusive labour + materials (copper type cooling coil, dryer, expansion valve) + 6 month warranty.

 

Is the cost reasonable?

Anyone can recommend a good repair workshop and price reasonable?

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Neutral Newbie

hi,

 

did u check with the mech if it is possible to weld back and plug the leak ?

 

is the leak due to corrosion ?

 

 

 

hope it helps..

 

bTW I'm not a BM owner.. just someone who's had the aircon portion fixed before.. condenser, cooling coil and some hoses.. cost ard 900+ after discount and OEM parts, labour inclusive.

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Neutral Newbie

air con repairs are usually quite expensive. even more so if it's compressor (heart of aircon system)

 

also mine could have been cheaper if I had not gone to CAS.

 

was originally 1k plus, but bargained (begged actually) until they give up and reduced by a little bit.

 

took me 6 mths to pay it off (installment plan)

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Hi Topgear,

 

Just change my parts similar to what you quoted in Jun'03 for about $400+.Me driving Mazda 323 but no harm in getting another ref.quote from the workshop I visited.Call Billy from Mova @ 64763333 to give you a quote & quite a nice guy to bargain.

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Went to Mova at Alexandra Village also (Same place?) The service foreman Mr Pang quote me $1,200++ for oem coil. [crazy] More exp if use back original coil (coil alone cost $1,100).

 

 

Someone from MCF recommend Falcon Air Auto at Sin Min Autocare. Mr Thomas quoted me $795 + GST $31.80

copper cooling coil + expansion valve + receiver dryer + refill gas + labour (3month warranty) [:|]

 

 

Found a shop (Fresh Air Auto Aircon) in JB. Place look big like STAR workshop. Mainly specialist in aircon not like those small shop in town ard sentosa areas.

a) Cooling coil

i) malaysia make RM$800 (copper coil quite fast cooling) or

ii)malaysia make RM$500 (copper coil slow cooling) or

(Option (i)&(ii) copper coil last at least 5years as told by mech)

iii) original aluminium coil RM$1,100 (last only 2-3years as told by mech)

b) expansion valve RM$96

c) receiver dryer RM$148

d) refill gas RM$30

e) labour RM$300

 

If I go for original coil can last only 2-3 year and cost ard $1,674 (S$775)[sweatdrop]

Malaysia make but fast cooling can last longer and cost ard $1,374 (S$636)

assuming S$1 = RM$2.16

 

 

Can anyone advise whether to go to malaysia for repair? workmanship worthwhile? [confused]

or go to Falcon Air Auto as recommended by MCF member here? Anyone know this workshop and whether their service is good?

[gossip]

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i had the same problem nine months ago... 7/96 316iA...

 

did the job at CAS for S$1.3k++... got two years warranty, original BMW parts... PML should be doing this for around S$1.6k++, checked with them before awarding the job to CAS.

 

our cooling coil is a common problem, especially in our hot climate...

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"Found a shop (Fresh Air Auto Aircon) in JB."

 

Hi! there, TopGear,

 

I've been to that a/c w/shop, but I don't use it. Mine is done at Fresh Cool Auto which is nearby at Tangki Air, that's near to Courts furniture store, which is at the end of the road from Fresh Air, if you turn left on the way out.

 

There's another a/c w/shop nearby too, it's Syarikat Sama Car Cooler, which is opposite my car mechanic's w/shop.

 

For original parts, get it in SG, as it's cheaper.

 

Rgds

 

Paul Yong

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why dont you try to go markcool at woodlands for a quote. quite good review from many of the guys from delphi forum. personally tried once, quite good and price reasonable.

 

look for ah huat.

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Neutral Newbie
i) malaysia make RM$800 (copper coil quite fast cooling) or

ii)malaysia make RM$500 (copper coil slow cooling) or

(Option (i)&(ii) copper coil last at least 5years as told by mech)

iii) original aluminium coil RM$1,100 (last only 2-3years as told by mech)

 

Faster cooling = thinner metal = next replacement is nearer? [sweatdrop]

Slower cooling = thicker metal = longer lasting? [thumbsup]

 

I've been using this method to try to prolong the evaporator coil's life, tell me what u think:

 

30 sec or less before reaching yr destination, turn off the thermostat or press the A/C button so that the compressor doesn't operate, but let the fan continue its operation to blow dry the coil (can't dry out completely lah, but better than not doing it). The idea is to reduce the water condensation on the coil, which is the main cause of corroded coil (due to the water reacting with dust/chemical particles in the air and becoming acidic).

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Yeap, being doing that method for many years.

normally switch off aircon and let fan operate 5 mins before reaching destination.

Read this advise from local auto mag.

Also will prevent odour building up at the cooling coil in the long run.

 

As for slower cooling coil, will it be cause faster wear & tear to the compressor and the compressor must work more harder to compensate for the set temp.

Edited by TopGear
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Hi, Schneider 79

Can u pm me the contact?

Have u done any similar aircon repair there?

How is there service quality?

eg service x/10pts

workmanship x/10pts etc

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