Heater/AC

[Rsolaregolf]

I was driving our 15 SEL today and I heard a pop then a hiss and detected a bit of an odor. The heater quickly stopped functioning. It was about 20F and I had the heat pump on. As the car was operating fine, no lights etc I drove on to my destination. I opened the hood and discovered the AC line covered with corrugated AL sheathing from the dryer (I believe) up to an AL tube with a capped service valve had blown off. The AC lube was sprayed about.

I plan to check VCDS codes under Comfort/Conv. 08-Auto HVAC

We bought it on 3/6/16 so it's just under 3 years and about 18K miles. It's never been an issue before. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[JoulesThief]

I was driving our 15 SEL today and I heard a pop then a hiss and detected a bit of an odor. The heater quickly stopped functioning. It was about 20F and I had the heat pump on. As the car was operating fine, no lights etc I drove on to my destination. I opened the hood and discovered the AC line covered with corrugated AL sheathing from the dryer (I believe) up to an AL tube with a capped service valve had blown off. The AC lube was sprayed about.

I plan to check VCDS codes under Comfort/Conv. 08-Auto HVAC

We bought it on 3/6/16 so it's just under 3 years and about 18K miles. It's never been an issue before. Has anyone else had this problem?

No need to check codes. You were probably running it in defrost mode, and the valve failed. Just take it in to the local VW dealership under warranty and let them deal with it.

I've never heard of what happened to yours, happen to someone else. But then understand VW only sold a bit over 4000 of these units in 2015, and I doubt even 20% of them were the SEL models with the heat pump.

 

[Rsolaregolf]

No, the defroster wasn't on, just floor and dash vents, temp set to 74F. It was clear and dry and I had driven about 10 miles when it happened. Having it towed Monday to the closest dealer, in VT. I'm not driving it without heat and especially the defroster.

 

[RonDawg]

But then understand VW only sold a bit over 4000 of these units in 2015, and I doubt even 20% of them were the SEL models with the heat pump.

I disagree, I think the majority of 2015's were the SEL's, simply because the lower-priced LE didn't come out until much later in the year, and not in very large numbers (even for an eGolf). Those are easy to spot because they are the only eGolfs sold in the US with hubcaps rather than the Astana wheels most associated with this model.

MY 2016 is a different story, as the SE was available from the beginning, although the DCFC option took a while to become available.

 

[Rsolaregolf]

it's at the dealer now, they'll look at it tomorrow.

 

[johnnylingo]

Hopefully they're looking at today because it's your last day of 3-year basic warranty!

Yes, the 2015 LEs (without heat pumps) are pretty rare. They're easy to identify due to the steel wheels, and I've only seen 3 out in the wild out of several hundred.

 

[Rsolaregolf]

My mistake the P&S agreement was 0n 3/6/16, the sell date was 3/21/16 so it's close but not just a day or 2.

They've already ordered the parts, it might be ready this PM. We'll be driving by today for another reason and will stop in to see what's up with it.

 

[Rsolaregolf]

So the car was ready this PM, picked it up, no charge....either for the repair, or in the battery!!!. Plugged it in for 1 hr at the dealer and drove part way home and plugged it in at Chargepoint in St Johnsbury VT for 1.3 hrs, made it home fine.

We're happy is was fixed so soon, not so happy they didn't have it fully charged when we went to pick it up but they did wash it.

BTW they said they never heard of this problem happening before but the parts were quickly available and sent overnight. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem. They replaced the heatpump to dryer flex hose, plastic bracket and recharged the system. As soon as i saw the problem I covered the openings to attempt to keep dust, road salt dust and other crap etc out as much as possible.

 

[JoulesThief]

Sounds like rubber product and possible rodent damage, chewing on the hose. If you own German cars, this is a constant problem. Get rat or squirrel poison and keep in the garage, but away from pets.

 

[msvphoto]

If you do find any signs of rodent damage be sure to heed JT's advise.

Not just German cars. Pretty much every carmaker is vulnerable, it is an industry-wide problem. I had no idea until recently when friends who live in the country experienced over $4k in wiring loom damage on their 2014 Ford Explorer (they had no idea, took it in dead on extended warranty and it wound up becoming a Comp. insurance claim instead). Now they have various sprays, a fake owl, and are extra observant of any electrical related faults. Once I heard this I googled it and found out the primary issue is the use of plant oils (soy, peanut, etc.) in the wiring insulation.

Glad to hear your HVAC is fixed!

 

[Rsolaregolf]

No rodent damage. The A/C refrigerant suction hose, a flex type hose, came apart from the rigid AL tube it was connected to. Looks like some kind of a swaged connection fitting. It just blew right off.

They just sent me the cost estimate that I requested for my records, $842.58 That included shipping the part from CA Next Day Air. 3.5 hrs labor, 5QE820721G A/C refrigerant suction hose, $330. $85 FREON + tax. They didn't replace the plastic bracket that broke when the hose separated. They are ordering a new bracket. Any way it was a warranty claim so nothing out of pocket for us.


There is no rodent damage. I put 1" dia X 6" long AL tubes that I've drilled numerous 1/4" holes into filled with mothballs. I have 3 of them in the eGolf and 4 in our Passat TDI under the hoods. We've never had a problem with rodents.

The service manager said they have never seen this happen before though they have few eGolfs here compared to CA. His comment was it was a simple mechanical failure. Seems to be as it's worked fine for almost 3 years.