Air con pipes?

[1963paul]

Hi all...fairly new on here, Z3 2.0 owner since July. Had to do a few normal "Z3 type" maintanance things, un-jam the rise and lower mech on passenger seat...(then dry the carpet out, then find the leak in the door membrane, then buy a airbag re-set tool)
Whilst looking around the engine bay, I noticed a small black metal pipe, approx 10-12mm in dia', behind the grill, in front of the electric fan...is this pipe part of the A/C?...its quite rusty along the bottom of the run, nothing leaking out, but I think it wont be long. The A/C works fine....
Paul.

[Mike Fishwick]

If you follow the pipes you will see that it is the cooling system for the power steering.

[alec.m]

And very expensive if they need replacing as I found out a couple of years ago!

[1963paul]

And very expensive if they need replacing as I found out a couple of years ago!

Oh....define "expensive"...tens or hundreds

[Alan W]

Common issue, I gently rubbed down the rust, painted it with some good rust killer / primer and painted over with black gloss and has been fine..

[1963paul]

Common issue, I gently rubbed down the rust, painted it with some good rust killer / primer and painted over with black gloss and has been fine..

Thanks...that was what I was thinking of doing, now I know what it is...thanks all.

[alec.m]

And very expensive if they need replacing as I found out a couple of years ago!

Oh....define "expensive"...tens or hundreds

There are two pipes, from memory one is about £100 and the other shorter one £40ish plush some fluid.

[1963paul]

And very expensive if they need replacing as I found out a couple of years ago!

Oh....define "expensive"...tens or hundreds

There are two pipes, from memory one is about £100 and the other shorter one £40ish plush some fluid.

Thanks...I think I will try the cleaning and re-painting method 1st, before it starts to leak...thanks for all the info.

[lightning]

I just painted the pipes with a wax based rust proofer. I guess you could rub down and paint it first.