We experienced an air con compressor failure on our 06 reg 2.0 FSI engined Octavia estate. The whole system was flushed and a new condenser/drier, expansion valve, receiver drier and a Sanden compressor were fitted.

After a resent 150 mile journey with the cabin temp set 2 degrees below ambient for some of the journey and working fine, ie cooling nicely, I was unloading the car when I noticed a heavy water leak forming under the car R/H front side, thinking that I had been very lucky to have made it home with no problems and a hose had just failed I lifted the bonnet to investigate and found that the low pressure solid pipe to the compressor had about 1/8" of solid ice along it's whole length front to back of the engine bay and it was this melting that was producing the water. Note this was not the usual condensation you usually see but thick solid ice!

Has anybody else experienced this? Could it be that the expansion valve is not working correctly. Any info would be appreciated.

I guess not. If the aircon is working OK forget it meanwhile.

not a clue but will be keeping an eye on this one for any further developments