Has anyone else suffered from the dreaded stripped bolt syndrome on the aircon compressor unit?

I had a warning flagged up last year that the bolt through the centre of the unit had started to loosen, after having taken the car in to the dealer for something else completely unrelated, and told the whole unit has to be replaced since the bolt is an integral part, at a cost, fitted, of £1100+

After I picked myself up off the floor, they said it wasn't a dire emergency, but that it would need doing at some stage, as if it went completely it could wreck the engine

The car is now back at the dealer for a new throttle valve control module to be fitted, and they have said the bolt on the aircon unit is now standing proud further than before, and recommended that it be changed now before it is too late

The car is well out of warranty, being bought in 2008, but hasn't yet covered 40k miles, so I'm a bit miffed that this type of fault should have occurred

I contacted Skoda Customer Services who, to be fair, were reasonably helpful, suggesting that I contact the dealer to see if they had any leeway for customer good will or factory good will to contribute, and that someone from Skoda will contact me within 24 hours about it

The dealer has come down a little on price, but it's still going to cost roundabout £1000

Has anyone else suffered the same issue outside warranty, and, if so, did Skoda come up with anything special?

To my mind if the bolt is stripping it's a design fault of the unit, not just a general wear and tear fault

Do you know which type of compressor yours is Bryan?

Even an entire replacement and strip down of the ac system should be less than that.

Do you know which type of compressor yours is Bryan?

Even an entire replacement and strip down of the ac system should be less than that.

I could get one off ebay and get it fitted, but I think I'd sooner have the comeback on Skoda if something goes wrong again

The bolt screws through the unit apparently, it's not just a bolt on job, so when the bolt strips the whole unit needs replacing, which is why I think it's a **** design

I have always thought that the centre bolt coming out was a symptom of the compressor failure  ,  not the cause.

I have always thought that the centre bolt coming out was a symptom of the compressor failure , not the cause.

I don't think the compressor itself has failed as I still get cold air

The sole problem is the bolt stripping - if it shears completely the belt and pulley goes flying with the risk of causing much more damage to the car

  I didn't know that , it s nice to learn something new , thanks

Came across this article on Honest John, so it appears to be a known VAG fault

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=102957

Do you have a picture of the problem bolt, I'm starting to think I have the same issue.

Do you have a picture of the problem bolt, I'm starting to think I have the same issue.

Not at the moment - I should be picking the car up later and the dealer is keeping the old unit to show me the problem, so I'll try to get a picture up later

Cheers that would be great, I'm driving to France in July starting in morayshire. I'm starting to get a bit worried now, what makes it even worse is that I'm searching for prices for a new aircon condensor.

Cheers that would be great, I'm driving to France in July starting in morayshire. I'm starting to get a bit worried now, what makes it even worse is that I'm searching for prices for a new aircon condensor.

 

Picked the car up today and they showed me the removed part, but wouldn't let me take it away as Skoda may want it back to resolve any contribution issues

 

If you are concerned I would take the car into a dealer and ask them to check the centre bolt holding the pulley on the aircon compressor - they should be able to tell you if the bolt has started to unstrip itself or not. If they say it has they should flag it up to you, as that's how I became aware of it

Cheers no problem. Just need to get the car to Inverness.

I had one of these go on my Octavia - Skoda quoted £1200 all in to fix. Local independent quoted about £450 (new compressor from TPS, fitted).

 

I note that I'm getting hassled by Skoda to go in and get my aircon serviced. I wonder if this is to allow them to charge me to regularly check the bolt?

Yep compressors are a v weak point on Mk5/6 Golf based vehicles...and others that use the same compressor system.

My 59 plate company Mk6 Golf GT 140 CR did exactly this just before its 3rd birthday (and before it was returned)....typically it broke in the height of a particularly warm summer period and just before I was going to be undertaking a long journey for work. I was loaned an Astra H 1.3 CDTi estate by work which was one of the most scarily underpowered cars Ive ever driven but we wont go there!

Mine actually failed.....one day I just had no AC. It had a new compressor and receiver dryer but thankfully didnt cost me a dime.

I think the suggestion it will wreck your engine is perhaps a bit strong as all that typically happens is the spindle bolt sheers internally and just freewheels (not spinning any of the internals)...it could explode and take some ancileries out with it but its unlikely.

If it goes, you have to have a new reciever dryer because of all the swarf created from the breakdown within the compressor and this massively ups the cost...because they are effectively renewing the majority of the AC system. Definitely get it sorted before it costs you even more cash.

Oh sorry Bryan see youve had it sorted...a nightmare expense but something that hopefully wont trouble you for a good many years.

Oh sorry Bryan see youve had it sorted...a nightmare expense but something that hopefully wont trouble you for a good many years.

My unit hadn't packed up, it was just the bolt stripping, so 'just' needed the compressor changing

Have to say I am very impressed with Skoda customer services and Horton Skoda how the issue was dealt with, and the settlement reached, especially bearing in mind the car is 6 and a half years old (but hasn't yet done 40k miles)

My unit hadn't packed up, it was just the bolt stripping, so 'just' needed the compressor changing

Have to say I am very impressed with Skoda customer services and Horton Skoda how the issue was dealt with, and the settlement reached, especially bearing in mind the car is 6 and a half years old (but hasn't yet done 40k miles)

Yeah mine went completely without any warning at about 33 months/42k miles....just one day went to put it on and there was nothing there, no fans or clicking. Otherwise car drove absolutely fine.

Agreed its nice when goodwill is offered....probably a good reason to keep a car dealer maintained after the warranty is up.

We have a 57 reg Vauxhall Astra Design with coming up to 52k on the clock and it has full dealer history and is still under Vauxhall warranty......when the AC compressor failed shortly after buying it...then the coilpack a while later the warranty seems to have been a fair investment actually....but have no doubt we'd have seen some goodwill on the AC issue at least.

Edited 9 May, 201511 yr by pipsyp

Agreed its nice when goodwill is offered....probably a good reason to keep a car dealer maintained after the warranty is up

Full dealer service history, low mileage, and the fact I've got four Skodas in the family certainly helped

The replacement bolt for my console bush came from Horton Skoda, and although first one they sent was the wrong size , they then sent the correct one with no further charge or asking for the first one back.

 

Very helpful and great service, even for such a small item that probably cost them overall. So thank you Horton Skoda.

 

I read this post as my Air Con is buggered and fully agree about some of Skoda's **** design's Brimma.

Edited 9 May, 201511 yr by Tilt

just had the same problem , dealer wanted £700 but got an indy to do it at my home for £495

apparently the newer version of compressor does not have these issues

just had the same problem , dealer wanted £700 but got an indy to do it at my home for £495

apparently the newer version of compressor does not have these issues

 

I had a look at the old part and it was a Delphi unit, the newer ones are Sanden, so I'm guessing VAG realised there was a problem and changed manufacturers

Looks like I have the exact same problem with my pump too. The bolt is sticking out a bit on the pulley, it won't tighten or loosen. Had a look around and it seems I can get a new pump for about £220 ish. My pump is a Delphi too.

Looks like I have the exact same problem with my pump too. The bolt is sticking out a bit on the pulley, it won't tighten or loosen. Had a look around and it seems I can get a new pump for about £220 ish. My pump is a Delphi too.

That's a bargain - OEM part at RRP dealer prices is best part of £1000, plus fitting

That's for a Nissens unit too. I found it on amazon, I only looked on there for a laugh. They sell everything lol. Looking about on the net, 200/300 seems to be the going rate for the Delphi replacement.

Is a/c a necessity Brian? Just remove the compressor and fit shorter belt job done for less then £15