Evenin all

I have found out that my aircon compressor has gone caput. The system lost gas after a recharge and yesterday I took it to a man who knows about these things. He filled the system with gas (nitrogen I think) in order to search for leaks, and the compressor started making a screeching noise.

My question is - has anyone else with a duff compressor experienced this?

It worked fine whilst still charged with gas, but presumably the screeching noise indicates the bearings have had it and concurrently causing the leak. I suppose I'm looking for a backup diagnosis.

A new compressor seems to about £216 on ebay plus shipping. Quite expensive, plus fitting of course. I may wait until next spring before I replace it as funds are tight.

The impellers normally break on the compressors, therefore not generating any high system pressure therefore no cold air. You can see this with VCDS. That's why they recommend replacing condenser, in case any debris is in there which could lead to premature failure of the new compressor.

You could buy a warranty wait for weeks say air con not working and they will investigate the cause. Compressors are covered buy warranty and a warranty is not far more expensive that the price you mentioned above. I did this and saved well over £400.

Depends on warranty. Some require a check over first before policy starts.

Hmm its a thought.

With my last car I looked into the AA cover, which not only covers breakdown, but parts and labour for defective parts. It seemed an incredible deal until I typed in the milage of my old Rover 75, then the premium went through the roof.

The Octavia has 77,000 which is about right for a 6 year old car. may look into it again. Thanks for reminding me.

My octy is 56 with 88k miles and needed a new compressor. Went to Skids UK who gave a hood will gesture towards £840 dealer price. Sadly it has only solved prob for 5 days! Need to get back to skoda UK....

I would guess then it either wasn't the compressor or the system wasn't flushed and now the new one is goosed.

If you paid towards it (as in wasn't 100% good will) then you have 2 years warranty on parts and labour. It's only if they cough up the whole lot, or it's a warranty job there's no cover like that. Crazy really.

My aircon compressor went the day i picked my vRS up from the dealer 06 plate , to say i wasn't impressed is an under-statement made them pay for my meal before setting off home in july heat and no aircon , they ordered the new compressor but was on back order so had to wait a month but when all was fitted i was told how much the bill would have been if not under warranty i just drove off plus new coilpacks done under re-call so could'nt complain too much , may be a good idea about the waiting and claiming on a warranty though otherwise its an expensive job

My octy is 56 with 88k miles and needed a new compressor. Went to Skids UK who gave a hood will gesture towards £840 dealer price. Sadly it has only solved prob for 5 days! Need to get back to skoda UK....

This is what worries me. I could replace the compressor and still find there is a problem.

I would guess then it either wasn't the compressor or the system wasn't flushed and now the new one is goosed.

How can you find someone who will diagnose problem correctly?

Phil,

I had an aircon problem and after having the dye in the system it pointed to a leaking compressor.

Due to cost I didnt get it fixed until this year. Common fault with the compressor is the bearings cease up and the shaft snaps.

I got mine replaced with a new unit (12 months warranty) fitted and gassed for £541.20 which is the cheapest quote I had. Skoda dealer wanted about £1k.

Phil,

I had an aircon problem and after having the dye in the system it pointed to a leaking compressor.

Due to cost I didnt get it fixed until this year. Common fault with the compressor is the bearings cease up and the shaft snaps.

I got mine replaced with a new unit (12 months warranty) fitted and gassed for £541.20 which is the cheapest quote I had. Skoda dealer wanted about £1k.

Thanks for that. The screeching sound from mine sounds like bearings going - so your post gives me some good feedback. I am looking into the options, since its a pity to not have the climate system not working. Its a nice system when working.

I collected my 06 vRS with the aircon not working, after 10 days in a skoda dealers its finaly working,seems these fail so often skoda UK can't stock enough! warranty Claim was well over £1k :-O

I collected my 06 vRS with the aircon not working, after 10 days in a skoda dealers its finaly working,seems these fail so often skoda UK can't stock enough! warranty Claim was well over £1k :-O

Yes its a poor show and Skoda should do something about it. The last four cars I've had, all had AC and none of them had compressor problems even at 200,000 miles. Its a poor design that fails at 80,000 miles. Its disappointing since I bought the Skoda for its reliability record.

I am presently looking for a good used compressor off a written off low mileage car. I've had 12 replies so far from breakers yards, with prices varying from £80 to £192. The cheaper ones have done 50k miles which are not worth even considering.

Apparently the typical failure mode is the bearings going and then breaking up. Mine screaches when filled with gas.