Hi - just FYI for those interested. PITA mid-summer air con failure, took me back to the days of open windows at high speeds (but with the car telling me this was not good for economy!). Below fix details, took them 2 full days and luckily I was in the final week of warranty. Interestingly on asking about the work, I was told the compressor installed was an updated part as the original has been superseded. I asked if the superseded part was a common fault and told no...??...

 

 

My car is almost 4-years old & AC is enabled permenantly without any problems. (although I guess we dont reach the same températures as in the southern hemisphere).

AC compressor is not a common fault I've seen before on the forum even with older cars.

 

Just because a part is updated doesnt mean that there was a known problem, it can also be superceeded to make the part cheaper or to change supplier, change material, production location etc.

 

Air con compressor on the mk2 octavia is a common fault, my sisters has it. The electronics fail which stops the clutch from engaging. 

The mk3 is more than 4 years old & I cant recall many compressor complains on this forum so I guess its a different design/part than the mk2.

Nope cannot remember any air conditioning failures for any mk3 on the forum.

OP is from Christchurch NZ so the temperatures do not get that high really. 

Mind you his car has possibly been shaken a few times from earthquakes.