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

[gfisher99]

Add me to the list of failed evaporators. MY2011 (5/2010 build) with 38K miles. Replacement covered by 3rd party warranty (National Auto Care). Hot and humid here in Austin, TX - previously this car was in even more humid Miami, FL.

[Darkmoyle]

Add me to the list. 2008 E90 Sedan. Northern CA weather. AC on 50% of the time.

The evap has been broken for some time and I was waiting until I had a large garage to DIY it. Now I am ready to do the (dash out) job.

ECSTuning says that early cars have to brand match with Valeo. Anyone out there know if this is correct?

The BMW part number is 64119290888 at $478
The OEM Valeo part (818201) is $144 delivered from Eeuroparts and $160 on Ebay.

Has anyone tried the cheaper Hella or Rein parts with success on early cars?

[Timujin]

I will be doing this before summer.

[Dagamus_NM]

Dealer ppi showed mine leaking. It still blows cold. I enjoy driving with the windows down anyway.

2010 e92 84K

Dealer said the valeo units fail regularly and that if replaced it will likely fail again. Leak appears small enough that I can probably just recharge it when it need it. About 4 months of the year here in NM.

The smell from the A/C took me by surprise the other day. Thought there was a dead animal under my car or something. Will definitely try rolling the windows down and turning the cabin fan up all of the way for a few minutes before parking on the days where I do run the AC.

[Timujin]

Picking up my car in the AM. Sitting on pins and needles hoping everything is solid with the repair. A/C better be so cold my balls go into my chest 💯

[InnerBlueSkies]

Always think of the positive, prime time to hard wire your radar detector.

[Siajoon]

Living in SoCal I hardly use my AC. Is this a failure I should budget for?

[Timujin]

Picked up the M today and the A/C is blowing at 39F. The awful smell is gone when running the A/C.

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by Timujin

Picked up the M today and the A/C is blowing at 39F. The awful smell is gone when running the A/C.

thats mold... use some lysol disinfectant spray in the hood intake area and it will smell good as new, make sure you run the ac system for 15 mins with the spray in it.

[InnerBlueSkies]

Id argue (no data to support this), that failure to use all systems regularly contribute to their failure. I get it, but the idea of not using a component, whether that be a cup holder or the AC out of fear of failure is beyond me, impossible in Texas.

[GT3fan]

Is there any validity of turning off the AC compressor, but running the fan for a couple minutes prior to shutting down will prolong the AC evaporator life?

[wyatth]

^ I doubt we can conclude it will make your evaporator last forever, but it will reduce moisture in the system which will reduce funk and likely extend the life of seals/gaskets/rings.
I don't use AC much but I try to use it at least every few months for a few minutes, followed by just the fan for a few more minutes.
This is one job I am not looking forward to.