After a combined total of 7 years Skoda ownership we've had our first ever fault out of 3 separate cars - the Air Conditioning packed in on our Scout (on it's 2nd birthday, ironically). We were driving down the Autoroute du Soleil on our way to Provence for a fortnight's holiday. I tend to run with the a/c on Auto all the time, rarely switching it off. But I guess the 40 degrees temps were too much for it - just south of Lyon I was suddenly aware that it seemed to have "switched" off, and the air was an awful lot warmer!

We took it to a Skoda dealer in Avignon who very helpfully checked it out (really tested our technical French) and it seems to be the switch valve on the top of the pump which has failed, leaking all the gas out. The dealer tried a recharge but it lost all the gas in minutes. It's still under warranty so we had a hot holiday (oh how did we ever get by without a/c :S ) and it's booked in. Hopefully no quibbles.

Anyone else report the same???

I had the compressor fail on my 55 reg car a month and a bit ago. Bought a replacement part brand new off ebay, got it fitted and charged professionally and the aircon worked reasonably well for a couple of weeks then stopped working again. It's in today getting checked over - given that I've spent over €400 so far getting it fixed I'd like to see working aircon at the end of it all.

After a combined total of 7 years Skoda ownership we've had our first ever fault out of 3 separate cars - the Air Conditioning packed in on our Scout (on it's 2nd birthday, ironically). We were driving down the Autoroute du Soleil on our way to Provence for a fortnight's holiday. I tend to run with the a/c on Auto all the time, rarely switching it off. But I guess the 40 degrees temps were too much for it - just south of Lyon I was suddenly aware that it seemed to have "switched" off, and the air was an awful lot warmer!

We took it to a Skoda dealer in Avignon who very helpfully checked it out (really tested our technical French) and it seems to be the switch valve on the top of the pump which has failed, leaking all the gas out. The dealer tried a recharge but it lost all the gas in minutes. It's still under warranty so we had a hot holiday (oh how did we ever get by without a/c :S ) and it's booked in. Hopefully no quibbles.

Anyone else report the same???

Could the French Skoda Dealer not order the part up for you and fit it while you were out there ?

they could have done but I wasn't really all that willing to head back to Avignon- we were camping up in the mountains - and so decided to make do...

I've been told the brand new compressor I got fitted seems to be broken (And seen the pressure readouts to confirm it's definitely not compressing anything) and though the system passed the vacuum test, while pressurised, refrigerant is leaking from the heat exchanger at the air inlet to the car vents - I was able to see it using the UV light. Does anyone know how easily that heat exchanger can be accessed? It looks like a fairly big job as it's behind the centre console of the car - trying to decide whether throwing more money at this repair makes sense... :(

Not impressed with the car at the moment as it seems that all the features that made me chose the Elegance edition over standard are the ones that are giving trouble - well parking sensors and aircon anyway...

I've been told the brand new compressor I got fitted seems to be broken (And seen the pressure readouts to confirm it's definitely not compressing anything) and though the system passed the vacuum test, while pressurised, refrigerant is leaking from the heat exchanger at the air inlet to the car vents - I was able to see it using the UV light. Does anyone know how easily that heat exchanger can be accessed? It looks like a fairly big job as it's behind the centre console of the car - trying to decide whether throwing more money at this repair makes sense... :(

Not impressed with the car at the moment as it seems that all the features that made me chose the Elegance edition over standard are the ones that are giving trouble - well parking sensors and aircon anyway...

The part you are referring to is known as the 'Evaporator' - the refrigerant enters it as a liquid and evaporates into a gas - the latent heat of evaporation is taken from the incoming air, which is therefore cooled. Replacement of the evaporator is a bit of a nightmare because it is buried in the bowels of the console/dash. Will be a good few hours of labour, plus of course you will need a flush and refill etc etc.

VAG do not have a great reputation in this department - the Sharan evaporators were notorious for failing shortly out of warranty and cost an arm & leg to R&R.

they could have done but I wasn't really all that willing to head back to Avignon- we were camping up in the mountains - and so decided to make do...

Wise move, The Avignon dealer had our car for a week when it fell into limp mode. Thats how long it took for them to get someone to drive it down the road & force the DPF to regen. Skoda UK were great & covered the extra night in a hotel waiting for the lazy French !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'s. To top it all we were loaned a Pug 306 that felt like it had a 500cc engine.

I trust you managed a trip up Mt Ventoux, Gods own driving road but keep it to ourselves :yes:

I've been told the brand new compressor I got fitted seems to be broken (And seen the pressure readouts to confirm it's definitely not compressing anything) and though the system passed the vacuum test, while pressurised, refrigerant is leaking from the heat exchanger at the air inlet to the car vents - I was able to see it using the UV light. Does anyone know how easily that heat exchanger can be accessed? It looks like a fairly big job as it's behind the centre console of the car - trying to decide whether throwing more money at this repair makes sense... :(

Not impressed with the car at the moment as it seems that all the features that made me chose the Elegance edition over standard are the ones that are giving trouble - well parking sensors and aircon anyway...

My compressor failed last summer (105PD Sept 2004) . I looked around for prices for a replacement and decided that I was not going to spend 20% of the value of the car on fixing 1% of its components.

So I took the decision to ditch the aircon (managed without it for years before the current Octy!). A quick chat with my local indy (DSB Autocare Nottm) confirmed that all that is required is to fit a shorter drive belt and by-pass the aircon pulley. Total cost including labour about £25..

I'll just open a window when it gets too hot and enjoy the saving (in fuel too!)

Dave

Mt Ventoux - yep, I did it twice... on my bicycle LOL

Mt Ventoux - yep, I did it twice... on my bicycle LOL

Your kin mad !!!! But I guess its a fantastic thing to achieve

Our Superb went into limp mode coming down & 2 cyclists overtook us, we were stuck at a whisker over 50

If you ever fancy a great drive go up very early, when theres only a few cyclists at the bottom. Ive done in the Company of a Ferrari, a Diablo, a radical & a selection of German exotics, not forgetting a Cerb on straight pipes, absolutely fantastic, totally empty road.

Its great to pack a breakfast & go up to watch the sunrise, last time a pair of French fighters came up the side of the mountain at a couple of hundred feet & barrel rolled over the top just after sunrise, Incredible.

Need to get this years fix booked soon

Re Ventoux take a look at this

Stuart - yep, it was hard, but it was a great achievement and felt good. SWMBO did get to drive the scout over it twice - she accompanied me with the support car carrying loads of water - it was 40 degrees after all! I think she rather enjoyed it...

Stuart - yep, it was hard, but it was a great achievement and felt good. SWMBO did get to drive the scout over it twice - she accompanied me with the support car carrying loads of water - it was 40 degrees after all! I think she rather enjoyed it...

Yep, definately an achievement.

If you watch Thursdays stage in "le tour" thats another great road, we played on that in June,