Ford Warranty/Goodwill

cla73

I have a Fiesta (2018) that is just a couple of weeks out of warranty. I’ve had it serviced using Ford parts twice, mileage is below 14,000 and it’s just been MOT’d for the first time. 

The air conditioning has failed. I was advised to get it ‘recharged’ which I did but there’s a leak in the system so the gas escaped. 

Having now had it diagnosed I’ve been advised there’s a leak in the pipe and the condenser is not in great shape - some signs of corrosion & it may go on for some time / may give up in the near future. Anybody’s guess! 

Phoned Ford, but because this check was done by a local auto-electrical place they won’t accept it and need it done by a Ford garage. 

The million dollar question ... is it worth shelling out another £120 for diagnosis? The pipe is the cheap bit, so if that’s all they’d consider covering I’m still left with a large bill. Even with a condenser I’m looking at spending the same on labour. 

Any experience or thoughts? 

BOWFER

I'm maybe missing something, but surely the cheapest option is to get 'anyone' to replace the leaky pipe and take a chance that the condensor is fine?
It can't be in that bad shape after only three years.

daveyjp

You can only ask the question of Ford.  Aircon pipes are cheap enough to replace if a leak has been proven, you can leave the condenser if there are no signs of any leaks,

I've just had an aircon condenser replaced on a 2 year old vehicle under warranty with no hassle whatsoever.

cla73

BOWFER said:

I'm maybe missing something, but surely the cheapest option is to get 'anyone' to replace the leaky pipe and take a chance that the condensor is fine?
It can't be in that bad shape after only three years.

You’re not missing anything. That’s my feeling - replace the pipe and leave it at that. My issue is that I’m being told the condenser is corroded and I’ve no idea what to look for. I’m inclined as you suggest to get the pipe done and take my chances. 

born_again

Before you take it to Ford. Check that Aircon is covered in the Warranty. Might not be, so there would be no offer of good will.

TadleyBaggie

BOWFER said:

It can't be in that bad shape after only three years.

They can be, I had a 1 year old Renault Laguna that had a air-con leak that look several trips to the dealer whilst they changed various bits. Eventually the condenser totally gave out in a spectacular cloud of engine dust.

molerat

TadleyBaggie said:

BOWFER said:

It can't be in that bad shape after only three years.

They can be, I had a 1 year old Renault Laguna that had a air-con leak that look several trips to the dealer whilst they changed various bits. Eventually the condenser totally gave out in a spectacular cloud of engine dust.

Had a Ford with an aircon leak in the first year.  They couldn't find the leak and just recharged it as it held - lasted about 3 months.  Ford have a track record for leaky condensers - porous welds apparently.

scrappy_returns

At less than 5thousand miles a year I'd no worry about it if ford dont want to fix it.

Jumblebumble

cla73 said:

I have a Fiesta (2018) that is just a couple of weeks out of warranty. I’ve had it serviced using Ford parts twice, mileage is below 14,000 and it’s just been MOT’d for the first time. 

The air conditioning has failed. I was advised to get it ‘recharged’ which I did but there’s a leak in the system so the gas escaped. 

Having now had it diagnosed I’ve been advised there’s a leak in the pipe and the condenser is not in great shape - some signs of corrosion & it may go on for some time / may give up in the near future. Anybody’s guess! 

Phoned Ford, but because this check was done by a local auto-electrical place they won’t accept it and need it done by a Ford garage. 

The million dollar question ... is it worth shelling out another £120 for diagnosis? The pipe is the cheap bit, so if that’s all they’d consider covering I’m still left with a large bill. Even with a condenser I’m looking at spending the same on labour. 

Any experience or thoughts? 

Big question
Were the services carried out by Ford or by a third party using Ford parts ?
Ford are far less likely to make a goodwill payment if it has been serviced out of their network

Ibrahim5

With a leak in a system the best thing to do is to replace the bit that leaks