Broken aircon pump

[VoDoo]

Hi all, i have my skoda for over a year now. Not long time ago, i have noticed that my aircon is not working. I thought, maybe just needs topping up, so after my shift rota ended, i went to my local skoda garage. They inspected the pump and srtaight away they said "your pump has failed and damaged condenser as well". On service log book, there is no record of previous repairs or servicing to the aircon.

My used skoda waranty ran out on 25th of May.

Any known issues with the compressor or where to get a decent one to replace?

I've been quoted 1100 which is quite steep, especially that the car has been looked after and warranty just ran out few weeks ago, so I feel a bit p off... Cheers

Edited 2 July, 2014 by VoDoo

[Auric Goldfinger]

Ring Skoda UK, tell them whats happend and see if they'll foot part of the bill.

 

Does the car have a full Skoda service history

[VoDoo]

Ring Skoda UK, tell them whats happend and see if they'll foot part of the bill.

 

Does the car have a full Skoda service history

 

As far as i can tell, seems the car was serviced at the Skoda garage. The previous, first owner, traded the car at the Skoda garage as soon as 3 years warranty ran out.

[JB-)]

Do not pay £1100! I paid £200 for a compressor for my old vRS and fitted myself. I know that not an option for everyone, but it's not a big job and shouldn't cost that much. I would expect to pay about half what they've quoted you including refrigerant etc. I doubt it's damaged the condenser either. You should replace the drier though, which I think is part of the condenser so maybe that's why they told you that. However I didn't bother to replace it and the air con worked perfectly with the new compressor.

[Guest]

Without knowing exactly what is broken...

I did read a post somewhere where the op had a similar problem but instead of buying a whole new setup for silly money he bought a relatively cheap sensor which is part of the compressor and that fixed his air con, he was advised by his air con specialist that it was often the part which failed and not the more expensive compressor.

You'll have to search through the air con posts if you want more details.

[JB-)]

Without knowing exactly what is broken...

I did read a post somewhere where the op had a similar problem but instead of buying a whole new setup for silly money he bought a relatively cheap sensor which is part of the compressor and that fixed his air con, he was advised by his air con specialist that it was often the part which failed and not the more expensive compressor.

You'll have to search through the air con posts if you want more details.

 

If I remember right it's the flow valve that fails. Refrigerant is pumped around the system whether the air con is on or off, but when it's off the flow is restricted. This removes the need for a clutch on the compressor, and keeps seals lubricated so there's no need to use the air con every so often to do so. There are several types of compressor fitted to these cars though, and the supplier I bought mine from said the one that came off was carp and is why they commonly fail. They supplied a different type, but unfortunately I can't remember the make of either! I'd recognise what they look like though. Having said all that, if the flow can be replaced for a lot less cash then why not. They seem to last a good few years at least.

[VoDoo]

Thanks guys, i rang skoda and got an offer, to go to garage, so they can strip the compressor and the pump and see whats really broken.
Seems that the service sometimes quotes the entire part and does not bother to investigate, either valve or cluch or silly 25 quid fuse blown up.

If i could get hands on a proper service manual, i could fix it myself.

[JB-)]

Thanks guys, i rang skoda and got an offer, to go to garage, so they can strip the compressor and the pump and see whats really broken.

Seems that the service sometimes quotes the entire part and does not bother to investigate, either valve or cluch or silly 25 quid fuse blown up.

If i could get hands on a proper service manual, i could fix it myself.

 

The compressor is the pump, and they do tend to get replaced with a re-con unit rather than repaired. It's not really a DIY job. It's a bit specialist to change and you need special equipment. The actual unbolting of the old one and fitting the new is easy enough. It's the re-charging the system with the correct refrigerant and oil that you need to get right.

[VoDoo]

Ah, been thinking about the condensor I have found another person's post somewhere on this forums, that you have to do it right, ie clean entire system from rubbish, debris, otherwise it will fail again. Not sure what to think about their offer, a bit dissapointed with the failure and the quote... Lets book the car and see whats really broken.

[trundlenut]

If the compressor breaks up internally bits end up in the drier. There are two versions and with one the drier is part of the condenser (radiator) so it all has to be replaced. With the other version the drier is separate.

When mine failed both the compressor and condenser were replaced.

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