Hi all, 

 

The other day i turned my aircon on for the first time in a few weeks and it started with a gurgle, crackle and hiss before blowing mildy cool air at me..... but while it remains on it never gets any cooler and the noise remains and, if anything, gets louder! 

 

any suggestions what it could be? the vehicle is still under warranty...will it be covered? i have t booked in for when i return from holdiay next tuesday (16th) just looking for you guys to shed a few possibilities...

 

thanks

 

Mike

It's possible the refrigerant just needs topping up, but if you have it booked in anyway I'd have them take a good look at it, just in case.

 

The Octavia's A/C compressor is notorious for failing after a few years, but I'd imagine that yours is far too new to have suffered that fate so chances are it just needs a re-gas.

 

Good luck

Edited 4 July, 201312 yr by ethel

Had mine in today for a new condenser fitting, replaced under warranty as the old one was leaking due to a manufacturing defect.

Excellent service from Listers in Coventry

Mine was making the gurgling noise as you describe and over time leaking

Regards all

Juan

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Gurgling and hissing noises from behind the dash = low refrigerant

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I had the hissing noise and squeaky fan, however everything went after i had a re-gas..

Hi. Is it normal for the car to nees a re gas this early on?

No, you have a leak so get back to the dealers. Don't let them fob you off with the usual excuse of they need a 're gas every 2 years line, they shouldn't do. I have had cars that have gone 5 plus years without needing to be 're gassed.

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A/c gas shouldn't escape a sealed system, if your low on gas and your system is making hissing noises you will have a leak somewhere.

Had mine in today for a new condenser fitting, replaced under warranty as the old one was leaking due to a manufacturing defect.

 

 

 

 

Same here Condenser replaced under warranty about 3 months age, now like sitting in a fridge

Aircon should be used fairly frequently I believe it contains a lubricant for the seals in the system, not using it for long periods may damage it. Its also the best way of demisting a car in the winter, not just for summer use

If you have climate it is running to some extent all the time anyway, unless you turn econ on.

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As above, don't be fobbed off that it just needs 'topping up'.

 

It does, but at the same time the leak needs to be found and fixed, before the warranty expires.

 

I've also read that the the system is primed all of the time on the Octavia so the 'you need to run it regularly to keep the seals moist' does not apply on the Octavia, as with many modern A/C systems these days.

Exactly, they don't have a clutch like they did 10 years ago so all this needs to be run regularly is hogwash.

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Thanks guys, ill go in monday morning armed with all your info!

Do they just replace the condenser and re charge the system all under warranty?

Cheers

Hi, it depends on why its leaking......my briskoda sticker in the back window might have helped.......it's location does leave it exposed to stone damage

Regards all

Juan

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If you have climate it is running to some extent all the time anyway, unless you turn econ on.

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Mine doesn't have " Econ "

Hi, it depends on why its leaking......my briskoda sticker in the back window might have helped.......it's location does leave it exposed to stone damage

Regards all

Juan

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What do you mean 'briskoda sticker might of helped'???

You never know, seeing the sticker the service manager might have thought "bit of publicity here".............

As it was the feedback on this forum was all very positive

Regards all

Juan

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So i managed to get my car seen today by a skoda garage. they had it all day and at 1600hrs they called to say it was ready...

 

when i went for the car they told me my gas level was at 1/5th of what it should be so have 'topped it up' all at a cost of £59.99!!!

 

i tried to say it should not need topping up and that there must be a leak somewhere for the gas to suddenly excape over a week...his response was 'this type of A/C unit needs topping up about every 3 years...' i tried to explain mine is only 2 years old..his responce..'just unlucky..'

 

i have kept the invoice so if it does leak over the next week it'll be straight back to them and havinga  refund!

 

your views guys...did he fob me off?

 

cheers

Yes he fobbed you off.....to loose the gas that quickly there is a leak.

Do you have to take your domestic freezer or fridge for re gassing every two/three years?

Did he leak test it?

Regards all

Juan

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So i managed to get my car seen today by a skoda garage. they had it all day and at 1600hrs they called to say it was ready...

when i went for the car they told me my gas level was at 1/5th of what it should be so have 'topped it up' all at a cost of £59.99!!!

i tried to say it should not need topping up and that there must be a leak somewhere for the gas to suddenly excape over a week...his response was 'this type of A/C unit needs topping up about every 3 years...' i tried to explain mine is only 2 years old..his responce..'just unlucky..'

i have kept the invoice so if it does leak over the next week it'll be straight back to them and havinga refund!

your views guys...did he fob me off?

cheers

Yes, they did.

Get someone with VCDS to measure the pressure when it is set to ice cold then check it again in a month.

Get screenshots of both, if the pressure has dropped go back and ask them to find the leak.

It shouldn't drop below the minimum pressure in 2 years.

Try logging a concern with SUK now so they have it on record for when it needs topping up again.

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Cheers guys. My thoughts exactly....but atleast i have an invoice to prove it has been re gassed so that in a months time and it fails, which im sure it will, ill be chasing for my money back!

It might take longer to lose most of the gas, hence why I suggested getting the pressures logged.

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