Hi guys,

Tried turning on the A/C on the car today (with it being like the warmest March on record ) and found that it refused to blow anything out other than tepid air even if put on LO, and this was on a 9 mile motorway drive.

Got home and did some testing based on a bit of research on here - using the climate dials I can see that the compressor is running and the speed of it goes up with engine revs - at idle it's at 9 (which equates to 900 rpm I think).

Does this simply mean it just needs a re-gas or am I looking at something more serious like a failed compressor etc? With it spinning I'm hoping that's not the case.

It has been a while since it's been used properly admittedly but it does seem a bit odd for it to not even be weak - it's not kicking in at all. The engine note doesn't change when I turn ECON off.

I'm taking it in to a local place tomorrow for them to check for leaks and possibly re-gas it but I thought I'd ask on here first.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers,

Chris.

Really need something like VCDS to read off the measure blocks and see if the valve on the compressor has bust.

I thought that mine was running OK and needed a re-gas. It appeared to be dropping revs slightly when switched on but it turned out to be full of gas and needed a new compressor. I took mine to a specialist who found the system to be full of gas and the compressor shaft broken. A new, 2012 spec Sanden compressor was fitted (Sanden apparently supply the replacement parts to the dealers) for I think just less than half of what it would have cost at Skoda for a new compressor, flush and regas.

Really need something like VCDS to read off the measure blocks and see if the valve on the compressor has bust.

Yeah I've been looking for the VCDS map on here to see if anyone local to me has it - can't seem to find it. Either that or an eBay special that will work with CAN - can't seem to find any of those either. :(

Bloody thing. Get the feeling none of this is going to be cheap. :(

Doubt the local garage to me has the equipment to read the fault codes properly. Might be a trip to the stealer if not.

Just got back from the stealer - they've said it's the compressor that's kaput and wanted £1100 to replace it.......

So I'm now shopping round for alternatives.

Mine recently went (last month), on my 56 plate. I went for a patent compressor, which cost £250, total cost of work £450. I am lucky to have a trustworthy local mechanic, but given that Skoda wanted £450 for a branded one alone, without labour, it was a no brainer....especially, when it came with a 1 year guarantee. Co-incidentally, they had 5 on the shelf, it's a common fault apparently.

I am more than happy with the one that's fitted now

Interesting. I have called my local mechanic and they said they need to see where it's located to estimate labour and will get a price on the part too. Fingers crossed it's as good a price and should come with a warranty on the parts as you say. Even having a genuine one fitted at £450 will be less overall than what they wanted if it's a 3 hour job say. @ £40 PH for 3 hours with a £450 part that's still only £684 inc VAT. Almost half what the dealer wants......

If the compressor has given up the system must be flushed and the drier replaced.

From Honest John... review of Skoda Octavia

Failure of Zexel or Valeo a/c compressors is common, usually a year or two out of warranty and dealers can quote £1,304 for new compressor, condensor and expansion valve. Sometimes goodwill of about £300 offered. But cheaper to buy a new Sanden compressor for £287 and have it fitted by an independent a/c specialist for about £150. Internet forums, particularly in USA are full of postings concerning failures of Zexel and Valeo compressors, seems a case of "when not if".

From Honest John... review of Skoda Octavia

Failure of Zexel or Valeo a/c compressors is common, usually a year or two out of warranty and dealers can quote £1,304 for new compressor, condensor and expansion valve. Sometimes goodwill of about £300 offered. But cheaper to buy a new Sanden compressor for £287 and have it fitted by an independent a/c specialist for about £150. Internet forums, particularly in USA are full of postings concerning failures of Zexel and Valeo compressors, seems a case of "when not if".

Oh dear. :(

Mine is/ was a Delphi unit according to the sticker on the side. Still failed though.

You'll soon know if it was the belt that snapped as your battery will flatten pretty quickly.

Personally I have never been a fan of Air Con...sure its great on the few hot days we get, but on every car I have ever had it has given me problems!

If you leave on you will have less problems, some turn on once a year then find they get problems

The air con on my car seems to affect the mpg, so I turn it off..... window down and drive a bit slower lol!

Just got it home after being repaired. All nice and cold again. 2 year warranty on all parts too as I had to contribute towards the cost. Not too bad an outcome considering.

Never turned my aircon off!

Never turned my aircon off!

ditto, always set to Auto and never econ, was always on with with my old MK1vRs, then my MK2 PD140 Octy, then the Superb MK2, and now the Audi. Never had an issue with any of them and have driven a total of 250K miles in total across all the cars.

It is a complete myth about the mpg dropping when the climate is left on AUTO with ECON turned off.

The compressor runs all the time BUT there is a valve in there that regulates the pressure in the system - when the A/C isn't needed, the system runs at a very low pressure, therefore no work for the compressor to do, therefore no noticeable difference to mpg.

Simples, leave it on AUTO and don't turn ECON on. Your compressor will last a lot longer, as the system is kept lubricated.

It is a complete myth about the mpg dropping when the climate is left on AUTO with ECON turned off.

The compressor runs all the time BUT there is a valve in there that regulates the pressure in the system - when the A/C isn't needed, the system runs at a very low pressure, therefore no work for the compressor to do, therefore no noticeable difference to mpg.

Simples, leave it on AUTO and don't turn ECON on. Your compressor will last a lot longer, as the system is kept lubricated.

never put it on econ what does that do?

shuts the aircon pump off.

shuts the aircon pump off.

haven't even got that button