A/C evaporator leaking. Dealer wants $4k to fix

Mahmood07 · 01-21-2014, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderco10

yeah the SA said it's pretty common for cars in hawaii, although he couldn't say why.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahmood07

It is weird both of you in Hawaii got the same problem. I hope it's not from the humidity or my car will be visiting the dealer too! Goodluck OP.

at 56k miles, I finally got the dreaded evaporator problem. I guess it really is from the humidity, since I live in a really hot and humid country (Bahrain).

Indy shop quoted $1000, let's see what the dealership says..

Time Lord · 01-22-2014, 12:08 PM

im not trying to troll but why dont you guys buy a after market warranty?

ChrisF · 01-22-2014, 01:07 PM

Is this problem covered under CPO or excluded?

USCTROJANSFIGHTON · 09-25-2015, 11:45 PM

Just an FYI.
Anyone with M3 needs Extended Warranty. Factory warranty expire 3 months ago. Evaporator crap out. Assurant Extended Warranty covered. No hassle.

I paid 4500.00 for 100,000 miles or 5 additional years.
It just paid for itself.

Miles on car. 53000. Pretty sad for the Evaporator to crap out at 53k miles.

Yes they had to remove the dash.

Erie Von Otto · 09-25-2015, 11:49 PM

What aftermarket warranty are folks recommending? I just returned from Germany and the car hasnt had a warranty since 2013. Its a 2011 but the warranty in Germany is only for two years. Is it even still possible to get it? Car has less than 32k miles.

Honda · 09-26-2015, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erie Von Otto

What aftermarket warranty are folks recommending? I just returned from Germany and the car hasnt had a warranty since 2013. Its a 2011 but the warranty in Germany is only for two years. Is it even still possible to get it? Car has less than 32k miles.

Warranty in Germany is only for two years

Erie Von Otto · 09-26-2015, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S65-M3

Warranty in Germany is only for two years

Through military sales. They basically expect you to buy the car and move back to CONUS prior to the 2 year expiration. The dealerships usually practice whats called Kulance which is a good faith type repair/warranty, but they do not have to. So you have a blown engine due to rod bearings at 28 months and they can tell you to get bent. Now, if you return CONUS, the warranty continues until the 48 month mark. This only applies to US Spec autos (that I know of).

vegaseric · 09-28-2015, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erie Von Otto

What aftermarket warranty are folks recommending? I just returned from Germany and the car hasnt had a warranty since 2013. Its a 2011 but the warranty in Germany is only for two years. Is it even still possible to get it? Car has less than 32k miles.

Try USAA. I have their warranty, which is underwritten by Assurant, and it is awesome. They covered the A/C evaporator replacement with no issues.

808@702 · 09-28-2015, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

I have 52K miles on the car and dealer says even though the car is less than 4 years old, they won't stretch the mileage to cover the repair. Quote for the work was over $4k because they say they need to remove the entire dash to replace the evaporator. I called BMWNA to see what they will do. They said they would contact the dealer's service manager to see if they would be willing to work something out with me. Hopefully I'll hear something good but I'm already shopping around for an independent shop that can do the work.

Is it really necessary to remove the entire dash to replace the evaporator. Seems like a really bad design if that is the case. Dealer said the V8 just doesn't allow enough room to access it from the engine bay.

Unfortunately yes they do remove the dash. I had this done under warranty in Vegas and the SA said it was a $2500 job.

dgoldenz · 09-29-2015, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808@702

Unfortunately yes they do remove the dash. I had this done under warranty in Vegas and the SA said it was a $2500 job.

I had it done in Vegas and it's actually a $3400 job according to what they billed USAA

USCTROJANSFIGHTON · 09-29-2015, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

I had it done in Vegas and it's actually a $3400 job according to what they billed USAA

$4500 is what they billed ASSURANT..
Whoooaaa. Price variation. Mind was done 1 week ago

gsxrliterbikz · 09-29-2015, 10:27 PM

DIY people. Taking dashes apart isn't that hard, just time consuming.
Heres a 5 series I did an evap on recently.

And my x5. Changed a blower motor and swapped the crappy grey interior to black.

X5-User · 09-30-2015, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxrliterbikz

DIY people. Taking dashes apart isn't that hard, just time consuming.
Heres a 5 series I did an evap on recently.

And my x5. Changed a blower motor and swapped the crappy grey interior to black.

wow thats a lot of work

I don't think I will be confident doing this job by myself. I am sure I will breaking clips..etc to get dash out

mazing M3 · 09-30-2015, 08:38 PM

just an FYI about the A/C evaporator. When using the AC make sure you run the air with out the AC on for a few minutes that will dry out the evaporator. Corrosion from the moisture that is left in the evaporator is the number one cause of leaks.

JDM_CL9 · 10-01-2015, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazing M3

just an FYI about the A/C evaporator. When using the AC make sure you run the air with out the AC on for a few minutes that will dry out the evaporator. Corrosion from the moisture that is left in the evaporator is the number one cause of leaks.

^^^ I have been doing this for the past two cars I've owned, haven't had an issue. Usually when I'm 10 to 15 mins from home, I'll switch off the AC and put the fan up to full blast. (Think it helps with the bad musky smell too)

Z K · 10-01-2015, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDM_CL9

^^^ I have been doing this for the past two cars I've owned, haven't had an issue. Usually when I'm 10 to 15 mins from home, I'll switch off the AC and put the fan up to full blast. (Think it helps with the bad musky smell too)

I do this to blow out the smell mostly. I didn't know it actually helps with corrosion?

Beemdog · 10-01-2015, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

I do this to blow out the smell mostly. I didn't know it actually helps with corrosion?

It might help. If you keep unprotected aluminum wet for extended periods, particularly with lots of ions in the water, it does corrode. Maybe have the new evaporator alodined before installing it as a replacement...???

X5-User · 10-01-2015, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

I do this to blow out the smell mostly. I didn't know it actually helps with corrosion?

Do you know from where this smell is coming from? It is bothering me and anyone who rides with me in the car. I am trying to figure out a way to remove this smell permanently

Beemdog · 10-01-2015, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer-M3

Do you know from where this smell is coming from? It is bothering me and anyone who rides with me in the car. I am trying to figure out a way to remove this smell permanently

Permanently, probably not. I use that Einsznett Klima-Cleaner A/C spray occasionally. It will cure the problem for a while.

Here's the thing: even on a brand new car (just delivered to the dealer, not held on the lot) I have smelled the A/C odors pretty badly, especially right after switching back to non-A/C mode. Observed this on several cars fresh from the dealer and manufactured within the last couple months. So it would seem to be difficult to ever get rid of the smell on a permanent basis if brand new cars already have it?

808@702 · 10-02-2015, 06:05 PM

This is what it looked like...

gsxrliterbikz · 10-02-2015, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808@702

This is what it looked like...

Nice Job.
Did the metal reinforcing bar have to come out too?

admranger · 10-04-2015, 10:41 PM

My 2011 M3 had the evaporator replaced as did a buddy of mine (2008).

Seems like another flawed product from BMW.

01-22-2014, 12:08 PM	#68
Time Lord BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 125 Rep 698 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NW Florida iTrader: (5)	im not trying to troll but why dont you guys buy a after market warranty? __________________ 2018 F80 ZCP
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01-22-2014, 01:07 PM	#69
ChrisF Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 203 Posts Drives: '11 M3 ZCP, '10 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marin iTrader: (1)	Is this problem covered under CPO or excluded?
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09-25-2015, 11:45 PM	#70
USCTROJANSFIGHTON Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 217 Posts Drives: Car. Vrooom. Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Diego,VEGAS,IRVINE,LA,MOON iTrader: (1)	EVAPORATOR LEAKING. 4300.00. Extended Warranty Just an FYI. Anyone with M3 needs Extended Warranty. Factory warranty expire 3 months ago. Evaporator crap out. Assurant Extended Warranty covered. No hassle. I paid 4500.00 for 100,000 miles or 5 additional years. It just paid for itself. Miles on car. 53000. Pretty sad for the Evaporator to crap out at 53k miles. Yes they had to remove the dash. Last edited by USCTROJANSFIGHTON; 09-26-2015 at 12:30 AM..
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09-25-2015, 11:49 PM	#71
Erie Von Otto DT///M 149 Rep 1,370 Posts Drives: 2014 F31 Touring Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Rocket City, AL iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW Touring [0.00]	What aftermarket warranty are folks recommending? I just returned from Germany and the car hasnt had a warranty since 2013. Its a 2011 but the warranty in Germany is only for two years. Is it even still possible to get it? Car has less than 32k miles. __________________ "With great power comes great responsibility." -El-Superbeasto
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09-29-2015, 10:27 PM	#78
gsxrliterbikz Second Lieutenant 33 Rep 226 Posts Drives: E93, E38, E53 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: NH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Bmw m3 [0.00] 2001 BMW x5 [0.00] 2001 BMW 740 [0.00]	DIY people. Taking dashes apart isn't that hard, just time consuming. Heres a 5 series I did an evap on recently. And my x5. Changed a blower motor and swapped the crappy grey interior to black. __________________
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09-30-2015, 08:38 PM	#80
mazing M3 Private First Class 16 Rep 130 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Mass iTrader: (0)	just an FYI about the A/C evaporator. When using the AC make sure you run the air with out the AC on for a few minutes that will dry out the evaporator. Corrosion from the moisture that is left in the evaporator is the number one cause of leaks.
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10-02-2015, 06:05 PM	#86
808@702 8th BMW, 520th Surfboard 494 Rep 1,215 Posts Drives: My girlfriends crazy! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Las Vegas, Nv. and Honolulu, Hi. and Seattle Wa. iTrader: (0)	This is what it looked like... Attached Images
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10-04-2015, 10:41 PM	#88
admranger Retired Curmudgeon 2985 Rep 4,047 Posts Drives: ‘19 X3M40i, ‘18 m550i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (1)	My 2011 M3 had the evaporator replaced as did a buddy of mine (2008). Seems like another flawed product from BMW. __________________ '19 X3 M40 Carbon Black/Oyster, '23 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit, Past BMWs: '18 M550i, '18 330 GT, '16 X5 40e, '11 E90M3, '06 X5 4.4, '03 330i ZHP, '02 M3, '97 Z3 2.8, '95 M3 (2x), '94 530i (manual), '92 525i (manual), '88 M3, '87 325iS
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