Condenser unit damage

sergeremi · 03-23-2012, 11:25 AM

Ok, so can someone explain this to me. I had the AC unit malfunction, blowing zero cold air. I took it in and I'm told the condenser unit was punctured all the freon leaked out. Their best guess was that maybe a rock or something got in there. A freakin rock?

In my garage I have not seen any leaking fluid anywhere so it must have happened on the road, but i don't even remember hitting anything or hearing anything that would remotely indicate that something hit the car with enough force to puncture something.

So, can someone tell me is this something that's common? Is there are way to add protection to the area so this doesn't happen again? I've never had this happen before. How invasive is the repair, do they have to take a bunch of stuff out and put it back together again?

Lester · 03-23-2012, 11:38 AM

Freon is a gas, so if it leaks out you won't really be able to tell.

robertm · 03-23-2012, 11:49 AM

Sux man. You should be able to find the puncture point on the condensor to confirm it came from the front.

If BMW won't cover it I would definitely 100% not have BMW do the work. It will end up costing you 2 to 3 times as much as doing the work yourself or having an independant do it. I'd shop it around. Also if you don't mind doing it yourself you can buy the part online for a significant discount then just have a shop recharge the system.

sergeremi · 03-23-2012, 12:14 PM

Well, !@#$!#$. Too late now.

DriveHard · 03-23-2012, 12:45 PM

Rocks hit condensors... just like rocks hit windshields.. it happens.. it was just an unlucky hit on your part..

labor wise the dealer shouldnt charge you much more then about 3.5 hrs or so.

1.5 of that would be diag and recharge... 2.00 for condensor swap

parts aint cheap though..

p.s. radiator and splash pans and fan shroud need to come out...

all i can say is make sure they bleed the cooling system..they are sometimes a little finiky

good luck

sergeremi · 03-23-2012, 12:59 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Guess I'm just miffed at having to already pay out of pocket for a brand new car especially after all the pampering done to make sure it's well maintained. Then some random "rock" throws it all out the window. Grrrr.

robertm · 03-23-2012, 01:04 PM

If you have a low deductible insurance might pic up most of the cost. Would be worth at least the phone call.

03-23-2012, 11:25 AM	#1
sergeremi Lieutenant 41 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 1 Series M Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Ok, so can someone explain this to me. I had the AC unit malfunction, blowing zero cold air. I took it in and I'm told the condenser unit was punctured all the freon leaked out. Their best guess was that maybe a rock or something got in there. A freakin rock? In my garage I have not seen any leaking fluid anywhere so it must have happened on the road, but i don't even remember hitting anything or hearing anything that would remotely indicate that something hit the car with enough force to puncture something. So, can someone tell me is this something that's common? Is there are way to add protection to the area so this doesn't happen again? I've never had this happen before. How invasive is the repair, do they have to take a bunch of stuff out and put it back together again?
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03-23-2012, 11:38 AM	#2
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Freon is a gas, so if it leaks out you won't really be able to tell.
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03-23-2012, 11:49 AM	#3
robertm Major 450 Rep 1,358 Posts Drives: 2020 M2 Comp Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: dfw iTrader: (0)	Sux man. You should be able to find the puncture point on the condensor to confirm it came from the front. If BMW won't cover it I would definitely 100% not have BMW do the work. It will end up costing you 2 to 3 times as much as doing the work yourself or having an independant do it. I'd shop it around. Also if you don't mind doing it yourself you can buy the part online for a significant discount then just have a shop recharge the system.
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03-23-2012, 12:14 PM	#4
sergeremi Lieutenant 41 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 1 Series M Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Well, !@#$!#$. Too late now. __________________ there is no effing automatic
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03-23-2012, 12:45 PM	#5
DriveHard Colonel 115 Rep 1,998 Posts Drives: X1 and R58 JCW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	Rocks hit condensors... just like rocks hit windshields.. it happens.. it was just an unlucky hit on your part.. labor wise the dealer shouldnt charge you much more then about 3.5 hrs or so. 1.5 of that would be diag and recharge... 2.00 for condensor swap parts aint cheap though.. p.s. radiator and splash pans and fan shroud need to come out... all i can say is make sure they bleed the cooling system..they are sometimes a little finiky good luck __________________ X1, R58 JCW, M2 in my future if planets align
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03-23-2012, 12:59 PM	#6
sergeremi Lieutenant 41 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 1 Series M Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info guys. Guess I'm just miffed at having to already pay out of pocket for a brand new car especially after all the pampering done to make sure it's well maintained. Then some random "rock" throws it all out the window. Grrrr. __________________ there is no effing automatic
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03-23-2012, 01:04 PM	#7
robertm Major 450 Rep 1,358 Posts Drives: 2020 M2 Comp Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: dfw iTrader: (0)	If you have a low deductible insurance might pic up most of the cost. Would be worth at least the phone call.
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