View Full Version : Rock hit my heat exchanger
It's always something...right?
Rock punctured my heat exchanger on the highway.
Busted right through the plastic protector. Left about a thumb sized damage area and of course total coolant loss and overheat.
[headbang]
Shop replaced the HX filled it up and found a coolant shut-off and crossover pipe that also failed for three times the cost.
It never ends. [facepalm] [=(]
Just another CO rock related incident. [mad]
https://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/medium/20230505_154216-resized.jpg (https://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=101790&title=20230505-154216-resized&cat=500)
Valpo A7
05-11-2023, 05:58 AM
Too bad you could not plan this and upgrade the HX at the same time as well.
THCarpenter
05-11-2023, 06:03 AM
I have a Merc unit sitting in the garage...need to flow test it, and can get it out to you
Alabama
05-11-2023, 06:23 AM
It's always something...right? Rock punctured my heat exchanger on the highway. Busted right through the plastic protector. Left about a thumb sized damage area and of course total coolant loss and overheat.
Somewhere on AZ someone was changing their grille and mounted a fine-mesh screen behind the grille in front of the HX to catch rocks. Do you think you might consider this?
GilliamOS
05-11-2023, 07:56 AM
Just replaced the AC condenser on my wife's car for the same reason.
I have a Merc unit sitting in the garage...need to flow test it, and can get it out to you
Appreciate it, but it is already at the shop, going to go through insurance.
- - - Updated - - -
Somewhere on AZ someone was changing their grille and mounted a fine-mesh screen behind the grille in front of the HX to catch rocks. Do you think you might consider this?
Good Idea, I've seen it before, not sure yet.
First time in 8+ years it happens so likelyhood is low i guess.
MattyMarkey
05-12-2023, 05:30 AM
Geesh, when it rain it pours. Good to know an insurance company is covering this!
Just to close this out.
Grand total was $5965!!!! & 2 weeks to repair.
Glad I didn't try DIY. Since the over heat apparently affected things deep in the motor and they had to do surgery twice to track it down and fix it which is something I wouldn't be able to tackle.
Repair for the heat exchanger only was about $1600.
The check valve, gaskets, hoses, thermostat and coolant pump and associated recalibrations was the rest.
Anyway, it is gone now on a trade for an E-tron GT I pick up Friday.
...onto the next adventure.
Alabama
05-23-2023, 04:37 PM
Bet the dealer did not add that cost to the trade-in value.
Bet the dealer did not add that cost to the trade-in value.
Right, the trade-in was as if it was in good working condition. Either I was to pay for the repairs or insurance was. The trade would have been even lower if I was to leave it unrepaired.
Audibellybutton
05-23-2023, 05:23 PM
Glad this worked out for you and congrats on the Etron GT!
But i gotta say for any forum lurkers i want to say this would be the worse way to handle this situation. Don't want anyone to be intimidated by those stealership prices. Best approach would be to slap an upgraded HX on there (Merc Racing ~500 bucks)
and you're back on the road with much improved cooling. Don't need a tune for it and its way better and cheaper than the OEM unit. If you do plan to tune, its a great place to start, but a good upgrade either way. These cars run hot as is. More info on cooling can be found here
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/929617-Yet-another-cooling-(IC-HX)-thread-kind-of-nerdy
Glad this worked out for you and congrats on the Etron GT!
But i gotta say for any forum lurkers i want to say this would be the worse way to handle this situation. Don't want anyone to be intimidated by those stealership prices. Best approach would be to slap an upgraded HX on there (Merc Racing ~500 bucks)
and you're back on the road with much improved cooling. Don't need a tune for it and its way better and cheaper than the OEM unit. If you do plan to tune, its a great place to start, but a good upgrade either way. These cars run hot as is. More info on cooling can be found here
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/929617-Yet-another-cooling-(IC-HX)-thread-kind-of-nerdy
Agreed, not really the best way to handle it. There's almost always better options, and I have taken some throughout the years.
This just worked for my particular situation and getting into a brand new nearly loaded GT at a significant discount was just too tempting plus free EA.
Audibellybutton
05-23-2023, 11:00 PM
Agreed, not really the best way to handle it. There's almost always better options, and I have taken some throughout the years.
This just worked for my particular situation and getting into a brand new nearly loaded GT at a significant discount was just too tempting plus free EA.
Yeah I hear you. Definitely worked out great in your situation. For me my car is 10 years old now and higher in mileage so just not practical to spend that on a HX. I find that dealer work is not worth it at all at this age.