Air conditioning clutch bolt - compressor replacement

[MartinL]

I have an 08 Skoda Octavia Elegance 1.9TDI Estate. I took it in for its 20,000 service recently to a Skoda Dealer and was told the air conditioning wasn't working. I'd been driving it a lot in the past 2 weeks and not noticed any issues with the A/C. When I mentioned this the Garage told me it's intermittent which also wasn't correct, I was then told, "well it may go at some point".

The healtcheck check list shows "Pulley bolt for AC clutch loose". I was told this would be a new A/C compressor at a cost of £450.

I am a little dubious (particularly as this was a service on a service plan) about this as I haven't had any issues with the air con even in relatively hot weather . This does raise a few questions:

1. Should I get a second opinion?

2. Is this a valid fault needing a replacement compressor?

3. If I leave this will it be a case of the air con will fail to work at some point?

The car is 4 years old and has only done 22,000 miles, surely these compressors should last longer than this?

[countryboy]

I would get a second opinion from an aircon specialist. If the bolt is loose then why didn't they tighten it to see what happens. As far as I know all the air con pumps have their clutches held on by 3 bolts.

Ian

[pete8tch]

Theres a shear plate that goes if the compressor locks up,wonder if tha'ts what they think this is, mine was locked solid but the outer turns so as not to throw the belt

[silver1011]

Skoda dealers aren't air con specialists, in fact some aren't even Skoda specialists.

It's far easier, quicker and cost effective (for them) to condemn the compressor than spend time correctly diagnosing the real issue.

Find a good local automotive A/C outfit and get a second opinion.

The compressor is a known weak point on the Octavia.

[MartinL]

I completed a Skoda questionnaire detailing my concern at being presented with a £400 bill and no real justification. Skoda UK phoned me to follow up on this and will be speaking to the Dealer to confirm further details.

Thanks for the advice, Ill take the car into an air conditioning specialist.

[rwbaldwin]

Theres a shear plate that goes if the compressor locks up,wonder if tha'ts what they think this is, mine was locked solid but the outer turns so as not to throw the belt

+1

There is no magnetic clutch. The compressor runs all the time and is controlled by variable displacement. The 'shear plate' is known as a shear clutch or driver clutch which sometimes adds to the confusion. The link between the pulley and the compressor shaft is designed to be the leakest part but I've never known it to shear when the compressor was not faulty.

You do need a replacement compressor.