Hi I've been trying to fault find all day with my ac I've regassed the system and it didn't work now after reading other threads I have come to realise that something is not engaging on the compressor and I believe it to be the clutch , now there is a small disk in the middle of the compressor and that spins freely , but I'm not sure if there is something missing , also even if there is something missing surly the electromagnet should still engage ?? And I've connected 12v straight up to the 2 pin connector at the bottom of the compressor and still no movement , could someone take a look at the picture and tell me if there is more missing , because there appears to be a circular ring where something looks like it used to rub and I can't see what is supposed to be rubbing it ??? Please help

From memory with aircon on both the inner and outer parts of the pulley should spin. If the inner bit doesn't move then the clutch is probably bust, if it does then there is a fault elsewhere or the spindle connecting the pulley to the compressor is knackered

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Your clutch has gone awol

It looks like the nut is intact but the clutch plate itself has removed itself from your vehicle if i am correct.

Yep. Can get a new clutch for it and shim it up.

Cheers for clearing that up for me guys , it did look a bit odd , anyone know where I can get the clutch from and isn't gong to cost an arm and a leg

Best bet is ebay for a unit and removfe the clutch i think. You need to compare the part number to the one on your AC pump, there should be a big blue sticker IIRC with the part number.

I've never seen the clutch for sale on its own although someone did send me one through this forum once.

A few people breaking octys in the for sale section

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I'm not sure weather I go down the path of sourcing another clutch or just buying a whole new compressor as I do not know the condition of mine , are there any checks I can do prior to going down that route ??

Undo the centre nut from the remains of the clutch and prise it off the splines, inspect the condition of the splines, mine disintegrated and I replaced the whole unit.

I may have a used clutch if you cant find one

Well I've searched eBay and can only find whole units , how much would you be looking for the clutch ??

£8 posted recorded, we'd need to check to make sure the splines are the same etc.

Ill try get it off tomorrow night and have a look at it , thanks for that. Ill be in contact tomorrow .

My AC had been broken for at least at a year although I think much longer. I only fixed it after owning the car for 6 months and the AC fired back into life nice and cold straight away. There was a slight smell to it but nothing that made me nauseous. As Dox says if the splines are okay you should be good to go.

Errr I believe this may be a completely pointless venture as I have just checked the gas pressure and found that most of the 45 psi has leaked out so I think it might be pointless trying to get the clutch if there is a leak in the system I could end up spending loads

You need to get the system degassed and pressure tested with a UV dye, the leak could just be a £1 seal, this cost me £50 last year for 2 trips to my home address as the pump spline was rotted away, I fitted my own used pump and the aircon guy returned pressure test and regas it.

You're not supposed to use UV dye now. The system should be charged with oxygen free nitrogen and tested for leaks using a sniffer or bubble spray.

You're not supposed to use UV dye now. The system should be charged with oxygen free nitrogen and tested for leaks using a sniffer or bubble spray.

I stand corrected, thanks

I stand corrected, thanks

Not a correction as such, just a bit of information. I think they can still add dye during servicing etc so future leaks can be detected, its just illegal now to add R134a to a system with a known leak and vent it to atmostphere.

Not a correction as such, just a bit of information. I think they can still add dye during servicing etc so future leaks can be detected, its just illegal now to add R134a to a system with a known leak and vent it to atmostphere.

The latter bit I did know, hence having mine vacuumed out before I changed the pump

I fitted a Golf V5 pump I already had to a 130 tdi, the same physical appearance but different part numbers, its still working 12 months on