I need some wise counsel. The A/C on my b7 S4 blows cold as can be for about the first hour of a highway trip but then gives up the ghost and blows lukewarm air after that. The fan doesn't kick up to keep the car as cold as I've set the internal themostat on the A/C control panel.

The Vagcom says that the freon is fine, the compressor is fine, and that the problem lies in the two engine fans, both of which the local audi authorized service guys want to replace to the tune of $1500.

Now, before I say yes to this, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts. could it be a clogged orifice tube? could it really be both fans going out? Anybody have similar experiences?

I'm grateful for any of your thoughts.

 

At least one fan must be on when the AC is on. Have you looked under the hood? And $1500 for the fans is insane. At highway speed there should be no need for the fans to be working. Have an AC shop look at you system. I had an Audi that used to do the same thing, and it turned out there was too much refrigerant which caused the outside of the evaporator to freeze up after about 1/2 hour into a trip. When this happened no air could flow through the evaporator and all that came out the vents was warm air.