Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone could help with a strange air con problem on my octy vrs.

Since buying it, approx 18 months ago, the air con has always not seemed to be that cold, on auto or Lo mode. With the weather being so nice over the last few days I took it to my local garage and asked them to have a look. They checked it for leaks (non shown up) and did a full re-gas.

When i picked it up last night it was great, like a fridge...for about 5 mins and then it started to blow normal, cool air again. I left it on LO all the way home (45 mins drive). It went cold again briefly when i pulled up to some lights but then quickly went back to how it has always been.

I've searched the forum and found that problems with the compressor can be common. My questions are:

1) If the compressor is knackered, would it still be possible for cold air to be produced?

2) Is the compressor easy to locate and can you see any damage..what do I look for?

3) If it's not the compressor, any ideas on what it could be, it seems strange that it worked briefly twice last night.

I have spoken to the garage this morning and i'm going to take the car back on friday, my wife has it today and I've asked her to check to see if it happens again today.

I would appreciate any help. Cheers

The normal issue with the compressor is the nut that holds the drive clutch onto the spindle coming undone. If this happens, the clutch can shunt back and forwards on the spindle, leading to low output and eventually rounding off the shaft, at which point the compressor is scrap.

Thanks for the reply.

Is there any way of preventing it coming off before it breaks and is it easy to see if this is happening?

Check if the clutch is floating at all; If it is, undo the locknut, apply thread sealant, do up the nut, and peen the end of the thread if there's space to do so.

In worst case, when you need a new compressor, give the job to an automotive a/c specialist, who'll charge half what a Skoda dealer would for the parts and regas.