Air con compressor failed. Where to get it fixed around Leeds?

[Chrispy]

Hi guys,

As per my other post I have just been told by my dealer that the A/C compressor has failed in my 58 VRS. They want £1100 to replace it, a price that nearly made me faint so my question is does anyone know of a decent place to get it replaced that won't cost 1/10th of the cars value?

I'm based in Wakefield and the dealer in question was D.M Keith in Leeds.

Additionally I've just emailed Skoda UK to express my shock at a car barely out of warranty failing like this and to ask for a good will gesture.

I'll be giving IVC a call tomorrow to ask them as they were just closing when I popped in this evening. They did say however it would definitely be less than what the dealer had asked......

Chris.

[drefaldwyn]

The compressor on my 1.9PD failed a couple of years ago and I too was rather taken aback by the fact that a replacement was going to cost a large proportion of what the car was worth.

I took the decision to investigate alternatives and in the end decided to do without the aircon and just open a window on those rare days in the UK when it gets hot.

I asked Dave at DSB Autocare (Nottm) - (No connection) to see if he could fit a shorter drive belt, omitting the loop around the compressor pulley and Lo and Behold!!! he could and did!! Cost - less than £25.

I've learned to live without the aircon (didn't have it when I started driving in 1965 anyway!).

Dave

[Davidsr20]

Logging on here gets more depressing every day with all these problems, is this an other major fault on these cars along with DMF, dpf , swirl flap on intake and on and on :(

Oh let's not forget injectors & abs pump ;(

Also turbo failure!

Edited 27 March, 2012 by Davidsr20

[cheezemonkhai]

You can pick up a recon compressor and use an Indy to fit it for a lot less than the dealer quoted prices.

[Chrispy]

Just had a call back from local garage I've been using recently - they're quite good and very professional.

£770 all in (inc re-gas etc) but using a Hella part as opposed to a genuine one. Apparently a genuine one is close to £900 they say hence they shopped around. Still waiting on IVC to call me back.

Are there any special procedures involved in replacing it, VCDS wise for example? I'm thinking resetting/ calibration as opposed to purely the manual work of draining, removing, flushing, replacing and re-gassing.

EDIT - Just thought too, a genuine part doesn't mean much - it's got a genuine one on now and that's failed after no time at all. Pfft....

Edited 28 March, 2012 by Chrispy

[Phil-E]

That's not good.

Sure they shouldn't be failing so soon?

Is the A/C being run periodically? This keeps everything lubricated and running smooth.

If you have manual A/C then it should be switched on from time to time... if it's climate then try not to use the "econ" button. Ours is on all the time and really doesn't affect fuel economy too much at all and keeps moisture out the cabin too.

Phil

[Chrispy]

Just phoned Skoda customer services UK. They were surprised that the dealer did not attempt to get a factory goodwill gesture, but between them have got that process off the ground. The car was bought from Skoda almost new (think it's ex demo), serviced regularly by Skoda and taken to them when there were any problems (all under warranty until this cropped up).

Fingers crossed they can do something about the hideous price of this one. If they pay for the part for example and I pay for labour that's not too bad.....here's hoping.

[Phil-E]

Glad to hear it and good on you for taking it further.

I think a good will payment is perfectly reasonable given the history of the car etc.

Fingers crossed.

Phil

[Chrispy]

According to the independant (who has just quoted me £921 all in) they said with the mileage (40k), age (just over 3 years) and service history (full Skoda) that I should get a good will - they said 50% was normal. Not sure how accurate that is but that would make it a £550 bill instead of £770, £921 or £1100.......

[j0hn]

As the weather gets warmer, I would not be surprised if a lot of specialists and independents put their prices up as demand increases. I know the bloke who did mine would have put his prices up as they got a bit busier and the temp started to increase. I did well with a brand new compressor from Sanden (who apparently supply the dealers with the compressors, although not sure if this is correct).

[Chrispy]

Holy moly.....just had the dealer called me back. They've agreed a good will gesture from the factory and they're paying for 100% of the parts and 50% of the labour. Brings it to £194.99 all in...... winner chicken dinner!

[Web Ferret]

Thats excellent news.

Well done Skoda and DMK. I may have to update my signature line...

Edited 29 March, 2012 by Web Ferret

[Phil-E]

Wow. That's fantastic news!

Phil

[EoinM]

Common problem. Mine went on my Leon and Octavia just over the two year warranty period (shorter in Ireland) and Skoda covered the full cost of the Octavia and the dealer covered it themselves on the Leon.

[chr1staylor]

Thats excellent news.

Well done Skoda and DMK. I may have to update my signature line...

"Well done DMK"?!

[Chrispy]

DM Keith - the dealer in question.

I am chuffed to bits. Don't get me wrong, having to repair it at all is annoying as it simply should not fail but this is a much better outcome that it could have been. Very relieved.

[chr1staylor]

DM Keith - the dealer in question.

I am chuffed to bits. Don't get me wrong, having to repair it at all is annoying as it simply should not fail but this is a much better outcome that it could have been. Very relieved.

Yeah I know who they are, bought my car from their Hudders branch, I was questioning Ferret's congratulating of them, given that they didn't even bother approaching Skoda UK on your behalf for a goodwill payment!

Anyway, good result!

[Chrispy]

Ah I see. Yeah I do agree with you there, would have been nice to not have to go sorting this myself (as I seem to spend my life doing). But at least the outcome is good as you say.