Hello,

I had my fabia mk1 re-gased and the aircon (at kwik-fit) lasted about 2 weeks. I took my car to colbornes in Woking (a skoda main dealer) and they tell me it would add up to £600 to fix it.

they said it was "most likely a stone has hit the aircon compressor so we'd need to replace that.".

I took off my bumper to replace my fog light and I saw the compressor behind that (it's a silver radiator looking thing as far as I can see).

my question is, would it be worth me buying one and fitting it myself or is this something the professionals need to do?

I'm thinking that if the compressor is near 200 quid and then get kwik fit to re-gas and it should be fixed!....hmmm?

anyone have any advise, pretty please.

kind regards

G

The compressor lives near the alternator, on the auxilliary drive belt, and looks like a pump, not a radiator. I think you've found the condensor, or quite possibly the intercooler since you've a TDi.

I'm not convinced that a stone could readily hit the compressor with any force since it's between the radiator and the engine block, and beneath the alternator, so the stone would have to be going pretty much straight up!

Hi Thanks for your reply, I'm being really dumb, I meant to type condenser, I couldn't think of the word!

Ahh I see that now, you're quite right that is the intercooler I have seen (correct, I have a TDI)

So it'll be a rad looking Item in the engine bay presumably near the radiator?

Would it be straight forward? and would it be likely that this con what has a leak?

Did the Skoda garage put any UV dye in to confirm the problem or are they just guessing?

If the problem isn't confirmed, take to an indy shop that specialises in A/C and they will tell you exactly where it is leaking and what needs doing.

No you can't really find the problem yourself, you will have to find a good a/c repairer to go through a process of finding out whats wrong.

Hopefully it's just a leak in which case they inject a dye, about £25, into the refrigerant system and you go back a couple of days and a leak can be detected with a UV light, the seals can then then be fixed.

Next item as you say is the condensor, about £200, which could be holed and will need replacing together with a drier.

Worst case and most expensive part is the compressor which has a common problem of a broken clutch and the whole compressor has to changed to cure this, costs about £450 - £ 500.

Well the compressor can be replaced by youself but unless you can guarantee it has been completely "un gassed" its a potentially dangerous task. I changed the compressor on my Volvo and it took all day as it involved removing aux drive belt alternator bumper etc etc yes it was far cheaper than a garage but it was a hell of a lot of hasstle.

I would strongly reccommend a professional to do the job

If you want it regassing for free though I used a little trick on the Volvo get a aux belt for a the car for a model without a/c and swap them before regassing then when they refill the a/c it will show no improvement, it will be free, you go home and put the right belt back on!

If you want it regassing for free though I used a little trick on the Volvo get a aux belt for a the car for a model without a/c and swap them before regassing then when they refill the a/c it will show no improvement, it will be free, you go home and put the right belt back on!

You sure that's a good idea mate? All the refill tutorials I've seen say you should run the compressor as the system is being filled. Otherwise how will the gas circulate to the high pressure side past the compressor?

Concerning replacing the condenser, don't think it will be difficult at all. As long as the system is empty all you will need to do is remove the bumper, remove the pipes from each end of the condenser by removing the bolts holding the flanges together, then undo the 4 retaining screws holding it to the radiator and hey presto. Of course, in the new condenser you'll need to make sure theres a dessicator fitted inside. Also, replace O-rings to ensure a good seal.

Well at least I hope it's that simple as I'll be doing it tomorrow.

hi, how did this work out for you iaino?

it's been ages but I've finally ordered a new condenser. £80 bargain.

(another garage confirmed it's the condenser at fault)

going to try to replace this myself. I'll get it ungassed first of course.

It's been ages. Just to let you know I did the job last year and it's been perfect.

So that was a new condenser and it's o-rings.

:-)