A/C Expansion Valve and Cut Off Valve

[Gio129]

Hi everyone,
I registered a few years ago, when I leased my first e-Golf (2015) but forgot logon and password, so, I re-registered and apologies.
I'm on my second e-Golf, SEL Premium, 17,780miles, bought this time in 2018.

My issue: A/C was working intermittently so, on Friday, I took it to Cherry Hill VW (NJ) and Bob Redles, very nice service guy, left a message saying that the A/C was working but the car needed a part, possibly under warranty, pertaining to the high voltage.
I called on Monday to get a status on the part and he tells me that the A/C is not working and the expansion and cut off valves need replacing. The grand total is a whopping $2010.81, $320.17 in parts and $1547.88 in labor.

Needless to say the blood drained from my face when I heard that and I'm engaging VW America to see what gives.

Can anyone with knowledge, please confirm this is an honest pricing?
How many hours does it take to replace these valves? I think a heart surgeon will take less time to replace 2 coronary valves, though the price tag would certainly be much higer.

...asking for a friend!
Giorgio

[f1geek]

I looked up the parts. I think you mean "shut off valve". The parts do cost about $240 if you buy them yourself. I'm guessing installing them isn't that hard, either, but the refrigerant will need to be captured prior to breaking any seals, and then once everything is reassembled, refrigerant will have to be replaced. Maybe get a quote from an independent mechanic?


If you bought the car in 2018, did the bumper to bumper warranty just expire?

[Gio129]

"If you bought the car in 2018, did the bumper to bumper warranty just expire?"

Hey f1geek,
It did, about 2 months ago, my luck!
Not sure about shut off Vs cut off, the estimate lists cut off valve, whatever that is.
In the meantime I talked to VW America; I was told that if the AC compressor was to be replaced, that would fall under warranty and, subsequently, those valves as well.

[manybees]

I just had my 2018 e-Golf SEL at the dealer to fix a similar issue with the AC intermittently cutting out, and they fixed it using TSB 87-17-15. Seems that this is a very common issue with most VWs produced between 2012 and 2020.

Took them almost a week to complete the work on my car because they didn't have the valve in stock. They also found a problem with the right temperature control door not working properly and so replaced it as well. All done under warranty, luckily.

[stevestrange]

I have my 2018 in the shop today, and just got a call back that I have this same issue. After reading this post, now I forgot if he called it a cut-off or shut-off valve, but apparently that is the issue causing intermittent failure of the A/C (blows hot on particularly hot days, but then recovers later in the day or the next day and works perfectly fine). Cost is around $1400, which is painful. But we kinda need A/C these days. It was 106F here yesterday.

[Thorallophon]

Hunh... so it is a thing. I was wondering. The HVAC on my 2017 is just out of warranty and has just failed as well, and the dealership told me "we have had problems with this model and its heat pump".

The thing that gets me is that "they are out of stock and there are no valves left in North America due to shortages and shipping issues. They are back-ordered and It might take up to a year to get the part." I mean we may not be talking about the exact same valve here, but...

Is this true? IS there such a shortage?

And, if there is such a problem with the heat pumps / HVAC system, should not VW have considered this and be producing a warehouse of them? Are they not legally required to have parts available for 10yrs after the discontinuation of a model?

So, am I gullible? Are they just soaking me for as much as possible* and hoping I will trade in the vehicle and buy something new (not bloody likely)?
Thoughts?
Jon.

*approximate costs so far:
$415 CAD for an AC gas check
$350 for a board replacement that took a week to receive from BC plus another week for an available appointment
$200 for the valve. Labour (@ $120/hour) to be added on once the part is received

[f1geek]

Have you looked online for the part? How about you get it yourself and/or have an independent shop replace valve. Could you please let us know the part number?

[Thorallophon]

So my memory was obviously a little hazy; the part in question cost $117.50 plus applicable taxes, so from what I've seen online it's about right.

According to the invoice the part number is 4mo-595-603-e

So I see them online, so I'm not sure what the &%$@# is the problem. The first two google links have it in stock. I guess it has to do with who they are allowed to purchase parts from, or some other franchise nonsense.

By the look of the description the same part is used in the ID4, so this may explain the rarity at VW.

Anyway, thanks F1geek for the push to do my own due diligence. I may actually be able to get this fixed before the snow flies! I'll update with any further shenanigans.
Jon.

[Thorallophon]

So an update:
Still no part, either from online, other vendors or from the dealership. No ETA either.

Today I received an email from VW Canada in response to an email I sent them a number of weeks ago. They repeated what the dealership is telling me: no ETA.

Once the weather starts to get colder and a potential for ice build-up becomes a reality, it will become increasingly dangerous to be on the road. As it is now, the fog / condensation on the side windows on the early morning commute is starting to make it difficult to see for lane changes and cross traffic at intersections.

I have purchased a small 12v heater/fan but it is almost useless, and I don't want to start spending a whole lot of money on direct battery or kerosene heaters when I will be (should be) selling this vehicle in the near future.

Not sure what else I can do other than keep pestering the poor kid at the parts desk. Anybody have any recommendations?
Jon.

[f1geek]

Your car has a PTC heater, too. And don’t forget about the windshield resistance heater. So you don’t get any heat through the vents, even if you set a very warm set point?