Went to the shop today, parked up as normal and bought what i needed then returned to the car.

Started the engine up to get the aircon running as car was warm while i opened a drink. After a couple of mins with the engine running i hear a loud noise starting and stopping (sounds like the starter motor turning while the engine is running) and LOTS of smoke coming from under the bonnet.

Obviously i panicked a bit and stopped the engine and lifted the bonnet expecting to see a fire, but there was only smoke but no signs of a problem.

Started car again with engine running and the same thing happened.

Managed to get the car back to camp and do some investigating and film the engine as its having its fit:

Engine fit

I think i have narrowed it down to the air con as it seems to be ok if i turn it off, but there is a strange (almost strangled) noise coming from the vents when it is on, and then the smoke happens again.

Anybody seen or heard of this before?

I have 2 weeks left on my warranty, so guess who my first phone call of the day will be to in the morning.

I would have guessed that the pump has seized and the belt for it is slipping, but a) I think the pump is on the other side of the engine that from where the smoke seems to be coming, I can't remember if the air con pump is even driven by a belt..., c) If it was I'd have thought it would be the same belt as the alternator and therefore you'd have a battery charging light illuminated in your dashboard

Hmm, interesting.

So far the battery light (nor any other) has not flickered to suggest a problem.

The aircon is run all year round, so the bearing shouldn't have seized, but stranger things have happened.

All belts are still in place and turning freely and appear to be tight as they need to be.

I'm convinced it is an aircon issue, but not sure what type of issue. I'm hoping it just needs re-gassing, but it will have to wait till the end of the month if thats the case as the warranty won't cover it and i've just forked out £230 on new front brakes.

Jammed aircon clutch then?

Good luck, hope it can be fixed easily...

Bas

If its the aircon clutch it should be covered by warranty, so i don't mind that too much.

I will try to get it booked in this week and keep the forum updated as i'm sure somebody will find it usefull one day.

Sorta looks like the air-con has sprung a leak. Good luck getting it sorted, looks like the warranty will sort it out.

Darth Vader is hiding in your engine lol.

Whatever is in there, it scares the hell out of you when it kicks off!!

Did anyone notice the camera move just before the first bit of smoke? That was me jumping back even though i expected it :(

Whatever is in there, it scares the hell out of you when it kicks off!!

Did anyone notice the camera move just before the first bit of smoke? That was me jumping back even though i expected it :(

Yes I noticed that, what does the smoke smell of - oily or rubbery smell - it didn't look like A/C stuff - it was too dark - but maybe I'm just guessing the actual colour - not too nice though!! Its not the induction tubing being blown apart is it? Did it smell like sort of half burnt exhaust stuff?

Edit, I think that I am talking crap - it does look a bit like A/C gas being dumped out with some system oil. But what did it smell like? I think that you should only run with the A/C off although eventually all the system gas will escape and inhibit the A/C running - if this is the problem - probably a hole in the condenser (stone damage?).

Edited 21 September, 200817 yr by rum4mo

I've checked over all pipe work and it seems fine, and whatever the smoke is, it is to dense to pinpoint the cause.

The smell is a burning smell, but nothing like a clutch/oil/brake burning smell so i don't know what it is, but the suggestion of the clutch going is feasable.

Stone damage is unlikely as i only drove 1.5 miles and had to wait for traffic lights to turn, meaning there was nothing in front of me all the way down the road.

I'm going to ring the dealer tomorrow and get it looked at ASAP.

Thanks for everyones suggestions and advice so far, its good to know people on here are willing to help where they can

Does sound like the a/c compressor has seized.

No clutch on it so suspect bearing failure.

Car is booked in at the dealers for Wednesday morning, so fingers crossed it will all be sorted swiftly and FOC.

Anybody on here had any dealings with Autosales Ltd in Cannock?

I haven't used them before, but this is my closest dealer so i'm hoping they are helpfull.

Yeah autosales in cannock are very good and very helpful. there master technician is a good technician there aswell

Thanks Lee, thats good news

Yeah autosales in cannock are very good and very helpful. there master technician is a good technician there aswell

Yeah, but you would say that, wouldn't you! :nono: viz.

good evening im lee and im a skoda master technician at autosales cannock:thumbup:

Oh dear!

Well spotted that man!!

That is a bit sneaky, however i now know the master technician at Skoda in Cannock is expecting to see my car dropped off before 9am so i'll be expecting excellent service from such a good bloke

That is a bit sneaky, however i now know the master technician at Skoda in Cannock is expecting to see my car dropped off before 9am so i'll be expecting excellent service from such a good bloke

you wont experience any problems with us. i got myself a cheap bit of publicity there.h:cool:

Nothing wrong with a bit of blatant self promotion, in our job its not vry often someone else bigs you up so you have to do it yourself.

you wont experience any problems with us. i got myself a cheap bit of publicity there.h:cool:

Pleased to hear it. Hopefully after tomorrow i will be giving you plenty of good publicity for free

you are right there! i am the youngest master tech in the country. 23 when i passed last april

Update:

Dropped the car off at 9 and left my contact details while i headed to a nearby Cafe and 1 hour later i get a call telling me my car is ready to collect and parts are on order.

Apparently the Aircon pump has failed, so it will be in under warranty next tuesday

So far, good service and comunication from the dealer

The car went in today for the replacement aircon part, and also an MOT while it was there.

Very happy with the service. The part was replaced and the MOT done and ready for collection soon after lunchtime, and all seems well.

Car passed MOT with NO Advisorys too, so even better. Looking at the paperwork, a certain master Tech' who is a member of this very forum carried out some of the work, and it looks like he was right in his earlier comments....

Thanks Lee and all the guys at Autosales, much appreciated

Well my car has suffered with the same problem twice this weekend, so it looks like the problem isn't resolved, and to make matters worse its no longer under warranty.

I'm not sure if i will be able to get the work done under warranty as it was reported when it was still covered, but the issue wasn't fixed, or will Skoda stick a huge bill under my nose when i collect the car?