A copy of email to The General Manager (Sales & Service) Hyundai India:
I am the owner of Hyundai santro regn. no. TN01P 3519, presently at the Ambattur works of KUN HYUNDAI, at Chennai, for periodical (non-warranty) servicing.
My car has steamed 54, 350 KM so far. I have not encountered any problem with regard to my airconditioner, except slight reduction of cooling effectiveness.
I handed over my car for general servicing on 13th instant to KUN HYUNDAI ambattur service station. Next day I was informed by the service technician Mr. SAM that there is found traces of gas/oil leak from the compressor, warranting its replacement at the renewal cost of Rs.24, 000/-. As the car is about four years new, I could not understand the reason to effect such costly replacement only after four years of use. When I visited the works to examine the problem, I was shown oil trace at the casing of the compressor. As the cooling was to an acceptable level at the time of giving the car for servicing, I instructed not to replace the compressor, but only carry out cleaning of the evaporator coil - air side. Later the same evening, I was informed that the evaporator coil too was leaking and recommended for renewal (at an approx cost of Rs.4000). I once again visited their works to appreciate the problem.
This time I found that the evaporator cooling fins were clogged severely with dust and dried up tree leaves.
It appears in my assessment that severe clogging of the evaporator coils be the main reason for the sequential overpressure of the system which resulted in joints giving way and subsequent gas leaks.
The Kun Hyundai works have confirmed to me that they have no facility for factory reconditioning of the compressor or the evaporator coil. The only remedy according to them is for me renew the components at an approximate cost exceeding Rs.30, 000/- inclusive of tax etc. THIS IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO ME AND IS UNAFFORDABLE, particularly for a car which is only 4 years old, kept under periodical maintenance care of the Hyundai authorized service agents through out.
I have found the reason for clogging of the evaporator coil fins is due to no primary air intake filter and no sieve which would screen entry of abnormal particles like even tree leaves. There is also no easy access to the fin surface on the air side to periodically clean it, without breaking open the whole unit from the freon gas system. This also warrants further recharge of refrigerant and oil, which is an avoidable cost.
Therefore I am of the view that there is a fundamental design flaw which has given rise to the expensive replacement of the compressor and evaporator units.
Further I wish to point out that there is no expert air conditioner technician in the KUN Hyundai factory. People who handle presently are not even aware of leak testing with test lamps; nor they are aware of vacuum testing of the system to ensure perfect sealing of the refrigerant system.
In the light of the above explained to you, I request you to consider my problem on merits of lack of design access for periodical maintenance by owners using Hyundai Santro cars. I request you to grant free replacement of the parts concerned. Further, I also request you to make a modification for the outer plastic cover gaining access to clean the evaporator fins on the air side, without disturbing the refrigerant pipe system.
I trust my request would receive your prompt consideration.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely
S.Govindarajan
1543, Ram nagar, Collector nagar
Anna nagar west extension, Chennai 600 101
India. Mob: 98401 23811
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