Knackered Aircon...

[MancBen]

So... I was driving down the road with the air-con on. The revs momentarily fluctuated,  I also heard a feint grating noise.

The aircon immediately started to blow warmer and had that funny damp smell you get when it hasn't been use for a while. Car runs fine, but air-con no longer works.

So, what's happened and how much ££££ to fix ????

Cheers !!
Ben

[bacillus]

Don't take this as gospel but it sounds like you AC compressor has seized.
As for costs, iirc it's around £600 for a new one.   

[danishmkvgti]

Don't take this as gospel but it sounds like you AC compressor has seized.
As for costs, iirc it's around £600 for a new one.   

I bought one from this guy, straight and simple, has no VW partnumber but is the same Sanden pump as the vw one

http://cgi.ebay.de/Klimakompressor-VW-Golf-V-2-0-TDI-SDI-GTI-GTD-/220393068749?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Autoteile_Zubeh%C3%B6r&hash=item33507358cd

[mclovin]

Well my AC has been running a bit strangely recently, I've been getting that damp smell and sometimes it either won't kick in for ages or it's not particularly cold but this morning it finally gave up - In a big way!

I pulled out of a junction and pulled away quite sharply due to traffic conditions when suddenly there was a bang like a rifle shot and a strong smell of what I thought was engine coolant. When I stopped the car I noticed the front of the engine bay was splattered in fluid and there were small aluminium shards everywhere. I had a number of meetings this morning so I let the car cool in the office car park and took another look at it at lunchtime, there was a very small puddle under the car but nothing serious and the expansion tank reservoir level hadn't dropped so I thought it would be safe to drive. Sure enough the car felt fine but I had no AC at all.

On the way home I popped into my local VW specialist and my AC compressor hasn't just failed - It exploded! It is completely cracked in half and my friendly mechanic suggested that it's probably not the best idea to drive it as the compressor could just lock up and screw up the belt and God knows what else.

He rang around and eventually got an exchange unit at a reasonable price, I'm looking at about £550 +VAT all-in for the job.

[mclovin]

Picked up my car today, the exploded compressor had left aluminium shards absolutely everywhere so the dryer unit was probably contaminated and was also replaced as a cautionary measure. This hit my wallet hard though, total bill was an eye watering £771.17 +VAT.

Shame, as I was going to get the my 18" Monzas refurbed and get a few bits sorted by my local Chipsaway guy, now that will all have to wait.

[icenutter]

Much the same happened to me. I stalled pulling into a roundabout, then stalled again part way around.  Then aircon was broken. Fixed under warranty for a little over £1000.

[LouCyffer]

Nightmare. Sdaly it's a common problem it seems.

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,15231.msg234596.html#msg234596

Time for a better unit, VW

[mclovin]

The worst thing about this is that Evo Magazine featured a Mk5 GTI buying guide in this month's issue and I noticed when I read it the other week that they specifically mention A/C compressors as a common (and expensive) failure. I recall thinking to myself "Well, my compressor is just fine"... Doh!

[LouCyffer]

Yup, aircon and ABS failures.

[Top Cat]

Thats not a very nice repair bill. 

bad luck chaps. 

[danishmkvgti]

Thats not a very nice repair bill. 

bad luck chaps. 

aren't you at GTI international, or are you already home again TC ??