Help needed: Audi Q5 30 TDI air conditioner not working

The car has so far been serviced at Audi dealerships only and I'm uncertain whether I should undertake such costly repairs outside of Audi.

BHPian ajindal recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi Everyone,

I have a 2016 model Audi Q5 30 TDI. The car has done about 137000 kms. Last week suddenly the A/C stopped working. I have sent it to the Audi Delhi West workshop where they have returned with an estimate of Rs. 1.43 lakhs (estimate enclosed) for replacement of compressor, condenser, valve and other parts. They are offering a 15% discount on all of the parts. I had sent it to GoMechanic workshop also and they reverted with an estimate of Rs. 85,000 approx. I'm going to speak to SA again to sweeten the deal but I'm not sure how much accommodating he will be.

• Haven't seen such issues in Honda/Toyota etc, what could be the problem here?
• Has anyone else faced the same issue?
• If so, how much did it cost you to repair and where did you get it done?
• Any other pointers.

The car has so far been serviced at Audi dealerships only and I'm uncertain whether I should undertake such costly repairs outside of Audi.

Kindly redirect to appropriate forum if the post doesn't belong here.

Thanks

Here's what BHPian vishy76 had to say on the matter:

Welcome to the VAG club. It is actually surprising that the compressor on your car has pulled on for 1.4L km. The usual life is around 1.1-1.2L km tops.

Coming to the issue, Audi has given you a fat estimate as expected. They have a huge margin on parts especially for the air conditioning. Once the compressor wears out, it will start contaminating compressor oil and gas causing black dust to form inside the system. This abrasive black dust will shoot through the system at high speeds like a projectile and coat all pipes, condenser, cooling coil etc. Thus, it's advisable to change the condenser as well when changing the compressor since it's impossible to flush the condenser. If you simply put a new compressor, you will end up with the black dust destroying the new compressor too.

In totality, the amount of parts being changed isn't alarming or abnormal. Having said that, the costs are on the higher side. Take it to a specialist AC mechanic in Delhi and take a second opinion whether the compressor is gone or the solenoid valve which controls the volume of refrigerant being compressed is bust. Looking at the age of the car and symptoms, I think it is the compressor gone bust, but won't harm taking a second opinion. And you will save a handsome amount of cash getting it done outside of Audi, no doubt. The cost of the compressor and condenser can be halved easily IMO and you will save a lot on labour too. Just find a skilled ac technician who knows what he's doing and uses superior quality equipment. You don't want moisture going into the system with the AC gas. That will again cause the same black dust or as it's called in popular culture "Black Death".

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