2014 Octavia Tour De France [4x4 model]

Had a coolant leak, found was the inlet manifold. Had the dealer do it, while there he found the a/c pulley bearing was on the way to failing.

.Pondered whether to pulley change or complete unit. Have a great relationship with local parts guy, knows Im away for much of the year when a/c would be used. He questioned whether I should even bother. ''Why not remove and install a belt without a/c provision'

Think its 4 yrs I last was in country for summer..or weather that needed a/c

Im assuming its more complicated that just omitting the pulley drive?

Keith   

16 minutes ago, Dogsb said:

Think its 4 yrs I last was in country for summer..or weather that needed a/c 

So you've never driven in wet weather when the windows mist up? AC is a lot more than just cooling, it also dehumidifies the air and hence is useful 365 days of the year.

 

The other issue with not driving the AC compressor is that the lubricant in the AC liquid won't be effective on the compressor bearings, so you could end up with a seized AC compressor - which isn't cheap to replace.

Thanks for that. Did answer a worry I had [besides...what to do with everything that is there, condenser, pipes, electrics etc]  then not being used

Seeing as dealer quoted 1500 to deal with it I thought I may make an attempt. I did hear the pulley is not replaceable, whether or not true I found the whole thing [compressor etc] was around 300..plus belt of course.

Only remaining question is [apart from charging of course] difficulty of replacing new for old [am assuming one has to evacuate the system?]

Tks again for the note 

59 minutes ago, Dogsb said:

[am assuming one has to evacuate the system?

Correct, and MUST be done by someone with the correct kit to avoid the refrigerant escaping into the atmosphere.

Or just do what your parts guy suggests. If you don't use it, there's no point in having that pulley spinning.