My A/C Nightmare - Help?!

[tartanmartin85]

I've had my '05 GTI for about 18 months now but unfortunately its been to the dealer 20 times (not exaggerating) for ongoing problems with A/C. it works for a period of time after it's been in then stops - not cold or demisting. Now I know people will say the compressor but it works after every time its been in and surely it would have just packed up for good, they can't fault the compressor at all.

They have pressure/vacuum tested it a number of times, ran dye through it several times, have replaced the pressure reducing valve, the drier, the filling nipple, the high pressure hoses and the low pressure hoses and have now completely stripped the dash out of it to get to the evaporator which they have said looks fine, but is away to get a separate pressure test. I've not paid a penny to date but because of the dash removal, they have said they will charge me ~270 for labour if they don't find anything.

Tbh I think they will tell me to p off if it stops working again but I don't know what to do next?! Help me please! Any advice?

[B1NCC 1.8T]

The only real problem we have had on the mk5s is the air con pump itself
VW have had hundreds of these fail they have actually listed it on the workshop system

The bolt/nut comes loose on the pump clutch/pulley which can cause the same issue you are having
Some times it pumps gas sometimes it doesn't

Mostly the Delphi pumps that we have been changing for this issue.

[Piefan]

I have the exact same problem, except it's only been going on for 6 months. I'm told the next step is to strip out the dash to get at the evaporator, but I've put things on hold due to the cost and the fact that it's winter.

Very frustrating.

[tartanmartin85]

The only real problem we have had on the mk5s is the air con pump itself
VW have had hundreds of these fail they have actually listed it on the workshop system

The bolt/nut comes loose on the pump clutch/pulley which can cause the same issue you are having
Some times it pumps gas sometimes it doesn't

Mostly the Delphi pumps that we have been changing for this issue.

That's the frustrating thing though, it's been to VW and they couldn't fault it when I specifically mentioned the compressor. The company dealing with it are a large Scottish Franchise called Parks. I would have thought the compressor failing would be terminal? It works fine for a few weeks at a time.

It's taken them a full day to strip it down but I have a horrible feeling they won't find it and I'll be down £270 with nothing to show for it.....

As much as you don't need it v often, it's great for demisting!