Having read a few horror stories regarding the air-con clutches on Octavias I was thinking that prevention is better than cure; Is it really just a case of undo-ing the retaining nut on the air-con pulley, renewing the Nyloc-type nut and adding a smudge of Loc-tite or something similar? How about using a wave washer as well as thread-lock for additional security? Maybe one of the gurus can confirm for me before I start pulling the car to pieces...

I notice in Elsa that on the VW Bora at least, that there are two different manufacturers for the air-con unit; Sanden and Zexel; there is only a warning attached to the Sanden images and the Zexel is retained by a bolt rather than a nut; are these Zexel units free of the inherent fault of the Sanden design or does the bolt work loose (with equally horrendous results) in the same way as the nut?

Regards

Loopy

The nut doesnt come loose on its own. The nyloc usually burns out due to an incorrectly shimmed clutch which drags and overheats.

The nut doesnt come loose on its own. The nyloc usually burns out due to an incorrectly shimmed clutch which drags and overheats.

Interesting ... so how does one go about a) testing to see if clutch is incorrectly shimmed and correctly shimming it if required ?

Edit ... Ignore the question ... some googling and I found the answer ....

* Refrigerant circuit does not need to be discharged to service A/C clutch.

* If A/C clutch is to be serviced with compressor installed, first do the following:

* Remove ribbed belt

* Remove intercooler (engine code ALH only)

* If A/C clutch is to be serviced with compressor removed, first do the following:

* Discharge refrigerant system.

* A/C clutch, removing and installing.

* A/C refrigerant system, servicing.

Hex nut

* Self- locking

* Always replace

* 15 Nm (11 ft. lb )

Shims

* Used to adjust gap between clutch plate and pulley

* Gap: 0.4 - 0.8 mm (0.015 - 0.023 in )

Circlips

* Always replace

* Install correctly: Flat side faces compressor.

Hmm, interesting. May have to have a look at mine for preventative purposes!!

This just happened to our Octy. NNnnngggg.

Lots of horrible graunching noises from the compressor when then clutch is not engaged (ie aircon off) & no cold air when it is.

Of course, all the posts on Briskoda about this fault seem to have appeared in the last month or so! I could have had the nylock nut checked at the big (120k) service if I'd known :(

Oh well. Going to try an in situ clutch replacement if I can get hold of a compressor from a breakers. Independent service place wants to just replace the compressor, but replacing the clutch seems worth a shot.

(Otherwise it's been a great car -- only fault has been the hazard warning switch, easily replaced with a replacement from a breakers...)

Phil

Mine fell off at just over 3 years old and just after an aircon service where they allegedly checked this.

I had words about this and got some parts paid for by skoda, which was pretty good service IMHO. What I will say is that if it does get changed, make sure you change the dryer unit at the same time.

I went for an aircon regas last week and after topping up gas found the clutch was still not cuttting in - after removing all the plastics under the engine found that the nut on the clutch was on fine and the clutch itself has broken up into three parts which were now on the undertray - it had failed on the 3 rubbery mounts / rivets - the guy found me a used one off an old compressor that he had and though it was a different design it fitted and works perfectly - plenty chill now !!

A top job and big thanks to 'cool car aircon'.

Well worth a try 'PHARM' to replace just the clutch as long as the nut has not fell off and then the splines have been wrecked = new pump then !!!:thumbdwn:

HI MY car is booked in tomorrow for a replacement compressor to be fitted and a regas because the clutch fell off when the 3 rubbery mounts / rivets failed. seems a weak point on vw air con systems. the mechanic at the aircon garage told me he does loads of them and could change the compressor blindfold. I wonder if anyone from vag looks in on sites like this to get feedback on the rate of failures and general feeling of dissatisfaction or satisfaction with vag cars

I'm pretty sure it's a different design on the new Octavia and Fabia so this sort of failure isn't possible

HI MY car is booked in tomorrow for a replacement compressor to be fitted and a regas because the clutch fell off when the 3 rubbery mounts / rivets failed. seems a weak point on vw air con systems. the mechanic at the aircon garage told me he does loads of them and could change the compressor blindfold. I wonder if anyone from vag looks in on sites like this to get feedback on the rate of failures and general feeling of dissatisfaction or satisfaction with vag cars

AcW - well worth trying to get a new clutch instead of changing the compressor as its loads cheaper - I have seen new clutches complete on the web for approx

HI MY car is booked in tomorrow for a replacement compressor to be fitted and a regas because the clutch fell off when the 3 rubbery mounts / rivets failed. seems a weak point on vw air con systems. the mechanic at the aircon garage told me he does loads of them and could change the compressor blindfold. I wonder if anyone from vag looks in on sites like this to get feedback on the rate of failures and general feeling of dissatisfaction or satisfaction with vag cars

I would have thought the ammount of compressors sent bck to them would have been a good indication of an issue.

I have a 2004 Octavia 1.9td and have been told the A/C compressor clutch has gone, they are quoting 203 pounds + 30 pounds fitting, + 90 quid to regass if necessary. is this a good deal or overpriced?

thanks in advance

Iain

Hi cost me

I would try skoda customer services and see if they will pay the cost of the parts for fitting yours. I ended up paying about