Can someone point me in the direction of a good air conditioning expert in The SE, specifically Sussex?  Our Octy ii hasn't had its air con working for quite a while.  I took it to our (usually very good) mechanic to get it sorted and he can't work out what the problem is and recommends I go to a specialist!

The emergency lies in the fact that we're off to Provence on the 10th July so air con will be a necessity rather than a luxury.

 

Anyone able to point me in the right direction?
 

Many thanks,

 

Nic.

many fast fit places will re gass it, you could try that, just pop out to your local kwik fit and see how that goes. But I suspect it might be more serious. When you say "not working for a while", how long? I very much doubt you will get it fixed in time so a quick regass "might" see you through your holiday.

Not a re-gas.  Apparently the compressor is not running - might be failed, might be electrical, might be another component.  This is where the mechanic is getting unstuck...on the diagnosis.  It's not just a leak that needs a re-gas, sadly.

 

Nic.

Edited 25 June, 201510 yr by NicRobinson

Ok, guess it will need booking in, cant suggest anyone other than yell.com for a mobile AC engineer, might be quicker and cheaper. But I expect it will be quite costly.

It's not got the bolt missing out of the centre of the compressor pulley has it?

I'll ask!  Yes, a mobile engineer might be the best bet.  If I can't see a way to sorting it I might have to go for a cheap replacement car for the interim.  Was thinking about getting a new one in the autumn anyway.

 

Cheers,

 

Nic.

My compressor is also dead! just had it regassed but still no good.

 

The bolt is still there, so it's a new compressor for me :(

 

You could do it this way, same as me. £180 off eBay for a new compressor, and then any mechanic can fit it.

Like this one?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TSP0155997-Compressor-air-conditioning-/351321741559?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&fits=Car+Make%3ASkoda%7CModel%3AOctavia&hash=item51cc6858f7

If you're stuck you could try Bob here http://www.caraircon.co.uk/ He's sorted me out a couple of times.

 

He's in Kent which isn't a million miles away if you're looking at something as drastic as getting a new car!

Like this one?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TSP0155997-Compressor-air-conditioning-/351321741559?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&fits=Car+Make%3ASkoda%7CModel%3AOctavia&hash=item51cc6858f7

 

This one fella

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271176490532?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Thank you!

May be its the time of year as my 2010 tdi cr170 air con seems to have given up the ghost as well.  Took it for a re-gas and was told it had plenty of gas and the pressure was OK and no leaks, then to top it all off there appears to be no fault codes registering either.

May be its the time of year as my 2010 tdi cr170 air con seems to have given up the ghost as well. Took it for a re-gas and was told it had plenty of gas and the pressure was OK and no leaks, then to top it all off there appears to be no fault codes registering either.

Check the torx 30 bolt in the centre. Chances are it has started to come loose. As you look down the alternator belt the A/C pump is at the bottom closest to the front of the car. If the centre bolt is anything but completely flush then it has started to come loose. You can fix this by tightening the bolt (from underneath with lower wheel arch liner removed) you will need a "3/8 buzz gun" or similar to get the bolt started then you can nip it with a ratchet

Thanks for that mattvrestate, will have a look this weekend.

Edited 30 June, 201510 yr by Aero71

Thought I'd add my name to the list of people with a failed compressor this month!

 

2009 FL VRS Cr.

 

First thing to go wrong in my ownership over the last 2.5 years. Feared the worst given the apparent unreliability of these compressors, had it re-gassed for £35 at local independent who say that there are no leaks and compressor has failed. They say its the 3rd VAG compressor they've seen gone in the last 2 weeks!

 

They quoted £440 all-in. Local Skoda dealership quote £680ish. Say given FDSH and bought Skoda used-approved may be eligible for some goodwill from Skoda but want £90 just for diagnostics before they can go any further. 

 

Can cope without air-con for next few months (got bills coming out of my ears at the mo) - anyone know if leaving it for this time will do any harm to the rest of the system?

Its costing me £300 all in for a new compressor and fitting

 

Got the one off the ebay add i linked to earlier, and its £120 to have it fitted by my local VAG Indy.

 

I did check the bolt Matt mentions, but sadly it was all ok and new compressor needed.

 

Roll on Wednesday when its fitted, as this heat is killing me 

Yep mine turned out to be the compressor that was at fault, all fixed now though