Hi - my 1.4 TDI recently broke down, shortly after a failed air con recharge. I wanted to rule out a siezed air con compressor. Although it may be something far more nasty. Can I remove the belt connecting the compressor to check relatively easily? Even if I have to cut it and replace

Doesn't the serpentine belt also drive the water pump and alternator?

There would be no issue in removing the belt to manually check the AC compressor, but obviously, the other ancillaries would be disabled if you were to actually run the engine.

Edited 13 May, 20251 yr by Warrior193
typo

These compressors have a fail-safe system built in, so that if they seize up the pulley becomes disconnected from the shaft.

What were the symptoms of the recent break down?

The belt can be removed by just pulling back on the adjuster with a spanner i think it's a 17mm but not sure with your model getting at it is the issue on my old MK2 1.9 you could do this from above the engine but not sure with the 1.4 you might have to remove the wheel and plastic wheel arch to get at it but worth trying from under the bonnet first, some of these models suffered from the crankshaft pully rubber damper failing and you need to replace the whole pulley usially you can check this as the pulley will turn and feel loose good luck whatever it is

Just to add this belt only drives the alternator and air con pulleys, the water pump is driven by the timing belt as mentioned look at the crankshaft pulley rubber damper a known failiure

1 hour ago, Murdockman said:

Just to add this belt only drives the alternator and air con pulleys, the water pump is driven by the timing belt as mentioned look at the crankshaft pulley rubber damper a known failiure

👍of course, I forgot about the TDI setup.

On 13/05/2025 at 10:20, Warrior193 said:

What were the symptoms of the recent break down?

Engine was running a bit more noisily than usual - then a crunch and it stopped completely. The starter won't even turn it over. I removed the serpentine belt and tried to turn it by hand and there is no movement at all. Looks like it is the end of the road for this one.

Do you suspect timing chain failure?

On 20/05/2025 at 20:09, Warrior193 said:

Do you suspect timing chain failure?

The timing chain appears intact and still tensioned. I suspect something deeper in th engine has collided - and jammed it