Aircon Flap / Foam problem

[LEB]

My car was diagnosed to have a problem with the flap or the foam (I cant remember how they call it) that would prevent the outside smell from getting in. The foam is disintegrating na raw and eventually when you open the aircon you would see foam particles blowing through the aircon vent. So far I havent noticed this yet. When I brought my car to the casa they quoted me 5000 pesos labor for dismantling the dashboard plus 2000 pesos for the new foam. Now am a bit apprehensive because they did not open the dashboard so how could they diagnose this problem? Also I was told that there is an opening under the drivers side dashboard below the steering wheel and they can check if there is a problem with the aircon foam by putting a hand inside that hole underneath the drivers side dashboard. Is this true? I find this hard to believe since aircon is so far from that position. They already charge me a diagnosing fee but when I ask if they they dismantle the dashboard they said no. How could they check the foam if they dont dismantle the dashboard I was just wondering?

By the way car is an Audi and dealer PGA cars. I am thinking that the service advisor is bullshitting me!*

[BlueBimmer]

the disintegrating foam is true, more so with old 5+yr cars. the price quote is very expensive...typical of an european auto 'stealer' hehe

[LEB]

My car is 5 yrs old na ...so is that true that they can the foam check without dismantling the dashboard? How much is a reasonable price for this type of service?

[jjmichaels]

Me thinks Euro cars new and specially older ones are notorious for this kind of a problem here in polluted Manila. I would go to an aircon specialist and have the hole plugged permanently. Keeps the bad odors and bus exhausts out. Opening the windows to get fresh air is always an option anyway.

[OTEP]

Yeah, just plug the hole permanently. Unless you like running your a/c in 'fresh air' mode while driving Metro Manila.

Evem most small A/C shops can plug it for you without major surgery on the car.

Also had a similar scenario on my former Pajero. But what Norman (Mang Mario's son) did was remove the old foam from the flap. Cut up new foam (Uratex foam used for mattresses) and put new foam on the flap. I don't know how much it would've cost because sinabay ko lang sa cleaning (Php1,200).

[LEB]

Do you need to dismantle the dashboard in order to get to the flap? I dont know where exactly the flap is? Is it the one underneath the driver's side dashboard as claimed by the SA? If there is a need to dismantle the dashboard then I have no recourse but to have it done at PGA and pay the humongous price.