White Powder!

mobileadam · 03-23-2011, 05:20 PM

I got mine sorted earlier this year under the AUC. I recall that the actual build date is important - is that written in the engine comparment?

I would ask BMW for a goodwill gesture - could you claim for the 40 quid thing (does this also cover parts?) and then ask nicely for BMW to cover the rest seeing as it is a known problem???

I got turned down for some warranty work on a Z3, I wrote a letter to BMW bracknell and they offered me a 50% discount. Wrote another letter thanking them most kindly but would they please pay the whole bill - got a call a couple of days later to say yep they would.

Worth a try.

chris1440 · 03-25-2011, 11:21 AM

Thanks for the reply. I'll check the build date if it is under the bonnet.
The warranty covers parts up to £1000 plus up to £40 labour.
I'll have a chat to BMW, see if they are prepared to give a discount on the labour costs so that the 3rd party warranty can cover it.

sorryd · 11-24-2011, 11:35 PM

Sorry for digging up this old thread. I have experienced the problem and I was wondering if anyone actually knows what the white powder is. Theories I have seen/heard include:
1. Flakes of dried antifungal? coating
2. Aluminum oxide caused by oxidation of the surface of the evaporator
3. Flux (Aluminum Potassium Fluoride?) used in the production of the evaporator

I'd really love to know because I breathed a fair bit before i managed to shut the A/C off and the dealer has only been able to offer vague reassurances so far.

92-2T · 11-25-2011, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sorryd

Sorry for digging up this old thread. I have experienced the problem and I was wondering if anyone actually knows what the white powder is. Theories I have seen/heard include:
1. Flakes of dried antifungal? coating
2. Aluminum oxide caused by oxidation of the surface of the evaporator
3. Flux (Aluminum Potassium Fluoride?) used in the production of the evaporator

I'd really love to know because I breathed a fair bit before i managed to shut the A/C off and the dealer has only been able to offer vague reassurances so far.

Aluminium oxide and failed protective coating (coating = a paint/lacquer)

The problem is cased by a faulty coating on the evaporator surface. When the coating fails the moisture gets under it and aluminium oxide builds up, until it gets to the point when it all lets go in a big snow storm.

Jules59 · 11-26-2011, 02:06 PM

Never seen anything like that except when the car was parked with the window open close to where I was doing DIY (jigsaw on plastic sheet) in the garage.
So is it an external contaminant from the environment or is it emanating from the ventilation system ? Collect a sample into a sterile container and contact the public health lab and see if they would be interested in analysing it.

BigBanana · 11-27-2011, 04:47 PM

I had this start to happen on my 2007 325dse saloon, (which i'd had from new), towards the end of year 4.

I knew it was a recognised quality issue and many people had had a replacement under their (3 year) warranty. I just didn't have the powder signs in the earlier years.

I thought it would be covered by the extended warranty and asked for it to be fixed on a service visit.

Ended up with a bill for £250 because 'the item had not actually failed -
the powder was a consequence of internal corrosion' or a description something similar. My extended policy was changing from a £100 to £250 excess at the time and I think this is what the charge was based on.
However, if it had happened within the 3 year period, it would have been free!

So, be sure before hand, that the warranty will cover it if thats what you are looking for. I was advised the cost was far more than £250.

Subzero2003 · 11-28-2011, 06:57 AM

I had this on my car when i picked it up and had no idea what it was!

I just hoovered it up and got on with it. I rarely use the A/C but i can imagine that when i do - it'll all come back.

Might have to get it booked back in for them to have a look at this - is it covered under the extended warranty? I have £0 excess.

03-23-2011, 05:20 PM	#67
mobileadam Private First Class 8 Rep 162 Posts Drives: 320d e92 M Sport Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Berkshire iTrader: (0)	I got mine sorted earlier this year under the AUC. I recall that the actual build date is important - is that written in the engine comparment? I would ask BMW for a goodwill gesture - could you claim for the 40 quid thing (does this also cover parts?) and then ask nicely for BMW to cover the rest seeing as it is a known problem??? I got turned down for some warranty work on a Z3, I wrote a letter to BMW bracknell and they offered me a 50% discount. Wrote another letter thanking them most kindly but would they please pay the whole bill - got a call a couple of days later to say yep they would. Worth a try.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2011, 11:21 AM	#68
chris1440 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: E92 320d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Swansea iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the reply. I'll check the build date if it is under the bonnet. The warranty covers parts up to £1000 plus up to £40 labour. I'll have a chat to BMW, see if they are prepared to give a discount on the labour costs so that the 3rd party warranty can cover it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-24-2011, 11:35 PM	#69
sorryd Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 320i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Japan iTrader: (0)	Sorry for digging up this old thread. I have experienced the problem and I was wondering if anyone actually knows what the white powder is. Theories I have seen/heard include: 1. Flakes of dried antifungal? coating 2. Aluminum oxide caused by oxidation of the surface of the evaporator 3. Flux (Aluminum Potassium Fluoride?) used in the production of the evaporator I'd really love to know because I breathed a fair bit before i managed to shut the A/C off and the dealer has only been able to offer vague reassurances so far.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-26-2011, 02:06 PM	#71
Jules59 Lieutenant 57 Rep 540 Posts Drives: Still searching ... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wilds of Warwickshire iTrader: (0)	Never seen anything like that except when the car was parked with the window open close to where I was doing DIY (jigsaw on plastic sheet) in the garage. So is it an external contaminant from the environment or is it emanating from the ventilation system ? Collect a sample into a sterile container and contact the public health lab and see if they would be interested in analysing it. __________________ Jules
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-27-2011, 04:47 PM	#72
BigBanana Lieutenant 81 Rep 427 Posts Drives: Beemer F30 335D Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Staffordshire iTrader: (0)	I had this start to happen on my 2007 325dse saloon, (which i'd had from new), towards the end of year 4. I knew it was a recognised quality issue and many people had had a replacement under their (3 year) warranty. I just didn't have the powder signs in the earlier years. I thought it would be covered by the extended warranty and asked for it to be fixed on a service visit. Ended up with a bill for £250 because 'the item had not actually failed - the powder was a consequence of internal corrosion' or a description something similar. My extended policy was changing from a £100 to £250 excess at the time and I think this is what the charge was based on. However, if it had happened within the 3 year period, it would have been free! So, be sure before hand, that the warranty will cover it if thats what you are looking for. I was advised the cost was far more than £250. __________________ F30 Estoril Blue 335D MSport.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-28-2011, 06:57 AM	#73
Subzero2003 Captain 19 Rep 668 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I had this on my car when i picked it up and had no idea what it was! I just hoovered it up and got on with it. I rarely use the A/C but i can imagine that when i do - it'll all come back. Might have to get it booked back in for them to have a look at this - is it covered under the extended warranty? I have £0 excess.
	Appreciate 0 Quote