CJay

Thanks JR, appreciate the insight.

I wanted to update this thread...I finally got a chance to check the compressor and I can confirm that one of the shear plate straps has broken. I attempted to remove the plate and in the process, messed up one of the hex bolt heads . I tried using a bolt extractor tool to remove the nut to no avail, there wasn't enough depth in the bolt to get good contact. Its awkward enough working in the driveway using axel stands and my gut tells me that I should bring it to a pro. The new kit I got included a hub..what are my chances of drilling out the bolt, binning the old hub and replacing both the pulley and the shear plate in one go? Is there a circlip holding it in place?

Thanks, on inspection, the straps appear to be intact. Either way, its looking more likely that the shear plate is the problem....however it was replaced a few months back which makes me question the quality of the part (it was £20 off ebay)...

I had a close look with a light this morning, the shear plate does not appear to be rotating - at least the black side which faces outwards is not, neither is the centre nut. I can move the plate with a screwdriver so its not locked in position. That 'tinkling glass' sound is quite evident by the way...heres the video:

Andy, out of curiosity, what was the problem with the pulley? Was it a worn spline or some other issue?

I suspect you are correct...this is what was replaced: Good advice on a garage...

I'm sure...in fact the clutch was replaced last year due to failure, a pertinent point that I forgot to mention...

Thanks Wino, appreciate it. There are a few variants of the 5N0 820 803 compressor, some research on alternative manufacturers reveals cross-compatibility (C, H, HX) although one would wonder what the difference is between the variants is in terms of reliability. The model on the far has a clutch, I note your reference to the control value, the question is whether is part of the issue of unrelated.

Should have mentioned...1Z3 CEGA diesel

I visited my local dealership in my 2010 Octavia vRS to have a noisy pulley checked out, on assessment, they stated that the a/c pulley is gone and that it can't be replaced directly. Instead, the whole compressor assembly needs to be replaced.....at a cost of €1400. I've heard some mad figures coming out of dealerships but that takes the biscuit. The a/c clutch is fine I should add (I asked) so its not that. Can anyone tell me if the a/c pulley is in fact built into the compressor assembly or can it be sourced and replaced separately? Alternatively, any recommendations for an alternative pump instead of the Skoda mandated option? Thanks