[clubsport78]

I've been having a few issues with my air con during our current hot weather on my 2007 56 reg R. I've never though it was that great (i bought the car in Feb) so had it regassed at the last service in May. As the weather wasn't that hot back then I don't recall properly testing it, but now things have started heating up, it has soon become clear that it was still not great.

I took it in to VW last week who diagnosed a faulty pressure switch (apparently a fairly common fault) and so this was duly fitted. I was on my way over to collect it and had a call to say that they still didn't think it was getting cold enough, but it could be air in the system. I hung about whilst they bled it through and it was good and cool all the way home. VW dealer said to see how it goes and give them a call in to pay if all is well.

This is where it gets odd... The air con does work and is cold, but the problem is that it takes ages to start getting cold. It just blows out normal air for about 15 to 20 mins and then it goes cold (you can smell that slight air con dry air smell as it starts) and seems to stay cool. It also seems to started coming through cool quicker if you keep it on about 20c rather than blasting it down to LO straight away, but is a bit intermittent. VW seem to think it is a knackered compressor, but I just wanted to know if it was "normal" or if anyone else had similar issues? From what I have read, the compressors on these is not great on the 06/07 years, so it wouldn't surprise me (and i have managed to squeeze a pretty good deal out of VW dealer), but I don't want to get it done if it makes no difference!

Cheers.

 

[strapper]

Sounds like a controls issue rather than a compressor. If the compressor was knackered it means it wouldn't be pumping therefore impossible for it to refrigerate and give you cold air.

 

[BManLDN]

I had my compressor changed due to a leak from it, so it is quite possible that this is infact the issue - however I am surprised that your VW service centre seem to be running trial and error dilly dallying to find out what the problem is!

I'm sure there is a specific test they can perform to check if the compressor is kaput!

 

[clubsport78]

I did wonder if it was a controls / temp sensor issue myself. When on auto and you turn it down to lo / up to 22 etc... It does change the fan speed so it seems to know that it needs to blow more or less to try and cool the car / warm it up, plus "computer says no!" according to VW, but I'm not ruling it out fully...

I think the problem with the compressor is that the main spindle / bearing breaks down on this year model (Valeo made i think) and causes small metal flakes to block up the system which confuses the matter a bit. I agree that they should probably be able to pressure test etc to see what the compressor is doing though... I will quiz them more on that.

If the compressor turns out not to be the issue, I guess I will have to battle it out with them.

How quickly do you guys usually start to get nice cold air out once you start up? Cheers

 

[G60Dub]

My Bora is failry quick to get the tmperature down even on a hot day - may be 3-4 minutes easy and less if ambient temps are cooler than the current 'Scorchio'

 

[Easybreeze]

Funny enough I was looking this up this week as mine is exactly the same... it takes about 7 - 8 minutes before it starts cooling (but you have to be moving as I pulled up to a garage and left he car running for about 10 mins but it still didn't start cooling till I went a few more miles), but it's never freezing, just cool. I found this and emailed them but am yet to get a reply from them http://www.sinspeed.co.uk/volkswagen-golf-mk5-air-conditioning-compressor-faults

Also this forum seemed to talk in depth about it: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=254699

Last year I had a weird problem where there was steam coming from the vents, eventually turned out to be a leaking heater matrix which was replaced... reading that webpage it looks like maybe the compressor broke internally and may have metal fragments which ruined the heater matrix - I'm now left with it working but not effectively like from new... really want to get this fixed but I am assuming it's ultimately a replacement compressor but obviously every problem could be slightly different, but vw seem to be useless at diagnosing problems.

 

[clubsport78]

Thanks for that info easybreeze. It is a strange one indeed! I will have a read of that link.

I left mine on the drive earlier, started it and waited 5 mins, still coming out unchilled. Waited 10 more mins and came back to find it was coming out pretty cold, so it does work when not on the move on mine. It is almost as if the a/c controller is telling it not to kick out chilled air for 15 mins or so, but that does seem a bit odd.

VW diagnostics doesn't seem great and whilst they eventually have agreed a fairly good price to do the compressor (still a fair chunk of cash!) they do seem to be very reliant on the diag tool rather than some more "old fashioned" mechanics. I am starting to wonder if I should try and find a dedicated a/c specialist to have a look, but trying to find one that is decent seems tricky.

 

[Easybreeze]

Let me know how you get on as really interested how much this will be to get fixed, well in time for next summer anyway

 

[Easybreeze]

Any

Thanks for that info easybreeze. It is a strange one indeed! I will have a read of that link.

I left mine on the drive earlier, started it and waited 5 mins, still coming out unchilled. Waited 10 more mins and came back to find it was coming out pretty cold, so it does work when not on the move on mine. It is almost as if the a/c controller is telling it not to kick out chilled air for 15 mins or so, but that does seem a bit odd.

VW diagnostics doesn't seem great and whilst they eventually have agreed a fairly good price to do the compressor (still a fair chunk of cash!) they do seem to be very reliant on the diag tool rather than some more "old fashioned" mechanics. I am starting to wonder if I should try and find a dedicated a/c specialist to have a look, but trying to find one that is decent seems tricky.

Did you ever get anywhere with this? Looking to get this fixed very soon but reckon I'm just going to jump in a get the compressor replaced as it seems to be a common fault... getting quoted around £500 so I would like to know it's actually going to fix it but anywhere cheaper would be better

 

[clubsport78]

Hi. Apologies for not getting back to you with an update.

I did indeed get this fixed. New compressor fitted at local VW main dealer on Friday last week and it seems all good again now. After some haggling, they did it for £550 all in (including the pressure switch they had changed earlier) as the car has total VW history and they have submitted a goodwill claim to VW. (Original price was £1250!).

I personally think that it was probably just the RCV (refrigerant control valve) which needed changing, but apparently they have to replace the whole unit and I didn't really want to go down the route of trying to get just the valve part changed if it did make no difference, especially given the fact that the compressors on the 2006 and 2007 cars do seem to be a known weak point.

Hope you get yours all sorted soon

 

[Easybreeze]

Hope you get yours all sorted soon

Thank you... my understanding is that a replacement compressor includes the RCV as well, is that correct? I just want it done and dusted

Does the aircon now come straight on and much cooler?

My car is 2006 so I don't imagine VW will do anything for me now so don't think there's any point in me trying them but great info.

 

[clubsport78]

Hi, yes RCV is a part of the compressor.

I know what you mean, I just got to the stage where I wanted it sorted! AC now on pretty much instantly, as you should expect, and nice and cold

My car is a Feb 2007 (56 reg), so could be worth quizing your local VW dealer and see what they say. I imagine they will only be interested if you have a full VW history though.

Good luck!

 

[clubsport78]

Just for info, I also spoke to an independent AC place. He said that he normally only changed the compressor and did not seem to know much about an RCV change and said he had never changed just that part (seems to be more common in the US from what I have read).

Also confirmed that the price I had got from VW was a pretty good price and that he would not be able to do it for that. VW warranty it for 2 years as well.

 

[Easybreeze]

Excellent information, thank you

 

[Easybreeze]

Looks like I have 3 options:

AMD to supply and fit for £555
AMD to fit only and I supply part from Sinspeed.co.uk @ £280 then £195 fitting = £475
or
Pay VW Dealer £65 to investigate and try to claim goodwill from vw (which they say is possible but no word on figures) = ???

I would like VW to do it with the warranty and courtesy car but just worry I'll get stung for the £65 then they quote (With goodwill from vw) more than AMD anyway.

I'm thinking just go AMD route and supply the part myself.

 

[PaulW]

I'd risk £65 to not waste 475

 

[clubsport78]

As Cheempeej has said, it may well be worth risking £65. I think that there is a 75% chance it will be the compressor, but you never know and if VW will do some goodwill, you could come out better off. It could just be the pressure sensor on yours like mine was originally thought to be.

Out of interest is £65 your local dealers hourly rate? Mine is £100 (East Sussex)

!

 

[Easybreeze]

As Cheempeej has said, it may well be worth risking £65. I think that there is a 75% chance it will be the compressor, but you never know and if VW will do some goodwill, you could come out better off. It could just be the pressure sensor on yours like mine was originally thought to be.

Out of interest is £65 your local dealers hourly rate? Mine is £100 (East Sussex)

!

Thanks for the responses... I think the hourly rate is £120 or something - it's honestly laughable!

I asked about the full price and have been quoted around 5 hours labour

even tho AMD quote 2 and the part at £600 whereas AMD have it at £360. Potentially coming out at £1400, I cannot imagine the goodwill covering £900 or a 64% discount.

The problem is that my car is from feb 2006 and has done 120k miles so I don't hold much hope for a good discount. I can see your point about paying £65 to confirm it but it looks pretty certain. Oh I dunno, I may need to sleep on this one.

 

[Easybreeze]

Air Conditioning Compressor replaced by AmD and all now working perfectly - I tested it out in the morning and my hand nearly froze within 20 seconds... I would be more happier if it wasn't for being £550 lighter

Annoying now the weather is so cold but in the wet it used to take an age for the window to demist, now it's almost instant - so worth getting fixed.

 

[clubsport78]

Glad you got it sorted... Shame the weather has now taken a turn for the worse though, as you say!