- Messages
- 1,578
- Reaction score
- 4,475
- Points
- 303
- Location
- Lancashire
- First Name
- mark
- Elgrand
- E51
- Region
- North West
That will explain the price and shut me up then!if i remember correctly they are double skinned
That will explain the price and shut me up then!if i remember correctly they are double skinned
Some machine made the originals.someone made the originals
Because the pipes are very non standard and basically, a pipe within a pipe.The Elgrand I have just bought has had the rear blanked. I wonder why it costs so much to fix?
Because you can't use second hand pipes due to the weird connections. And a new one is over £1000 from Japan, because it's from a car that stopped being made 10 years ago.The Elgrand I have just bought has had the rear blanked. I wonder why it costs so much to fix?
ahhh, I see. So, you can't get them off the shelf anymore? I'm surprised nobody made aftermarket/copies.Because you can't use second hand pipes due to the weird connections. And a new one is over £1000 from Japan, because it's from a car that stopped being made 10 years ago.
Unfortunately it's not a part that was ever available in the UK, it's a very complex part, and twin Aircon setups are very rare. Putting the joints behind the back wheel in way that promotes galvanic corrosion is a stupid design flaw too. Some people say they can fix them, but the fact that nearly everyone blanks it off like yours when it fails tells you how easy it is to do! To be honest it's probably the only thing on my Elgrand that hasn't broken yet.....ahhh, I see. So, you can't get them off the shelf anymore? I'm surprised nobody made aftermarket/copies.
That would be possible... But the problem is the fittings at the ends of the dual concentric pipe.If you really wanted to fix it you could probably get an air con firm to run two pipes, rather than the original concentric one, as there are individual high and low pressure connections at either end.
But I doubt it would be cheaper than sourcing the genuine part.
Great write up and advice. A job for this weekend me thinksThis is not necessarily a common problem, but it happens more than it should.
The problem hear is that the Aluminium Aircon Pipes that run to the rear evaporator corrode over time. This might not seem like such a big deal, but when you take into account that replacement pipes are £1000 PLUS, then you have cost of labour to fit them etc... even if the problem is not a common one, prevention is better than cure.
This also adds to the "underseal" thread, also in this section.
On the E51 isa box underneath the vehicle, at the rear on the passenger side. Inside this box you can see the air con pipes. When you get the car undersealed, ENSURE that whoever is doing the work opens this box and coats the pipes thoroughly with underseal. Also, ensure that the inside and outside of this box are thoroughly coated as well.
The box provides the outer protection for the pipes, so looking after that is one part of the problem. But also coating the pipes will act as a secondary level of security to this issue.
it is not the be all and end all of everything if you lose the air con, but we all know how nice it is on a hot day to whack it on and drive in comfort, after all, why pay for a luxury car that you have to drive sweaty and clammy.
For anyone who has had this issue already, or for any E51 owners that find their aircon does not work. Check this area first. If it's broken, there are two options:
1 - blank off the rear air con. This means you'll still be able to use the aircon up front, but you won't get any cold air through the rear vents. If the system is gassed correctly though, the fronts should be enough to help cool the WHOLE interior down, albeit it will take a little longer.
2 - replace the pipe, which as mentioned above, can cost well over £1000 to repair.
Please see below link to see pictures of the affected area, the pipe that needs replacing, and screenshots of purchase price for replacement parts.
https://flickr.com/photos/9778891@N04/sets/72157659861402231
EDIT: Thanks @Phil for correcting the side the box is on . And thanks @MrRob_in for the images linked, this will be extremely helpful to future members
Check behind the greasy sponge foam type material, this is where the moisture collects.Checked mine and all good, bright and shiny with no corrosion. Will need a small tin of underbody sealer
Good reminder. I'll do mine this weekend too. I covered mine in waxoyl just before the gritters started last year, having no time to do it properly but I'll do it nowUnderbody of the van is mint apart from this...
View attachment 74583
It was in reasonable good nick considering where its positioned...
View attachment 74584
but as I'm all for preventive maintenance, I'll get rid of the sponge (as previously mentioned) treat inside & around the pipes with marine grease...& Refurb the cover...