turned the air con on, on the way home, it was blowing warm air out:-(

listening carefully it sounds like a fridge coming from behind the glove box, when it blew out cold it sounded like this. I am hoping it is just a regas.

Is there a simple way to find out what the problem is

Was it a gentle hissing noise?

If so then vapour is passing through the TEV. Probably just short of gas. A shot of 134a and you'll be nice and cool again.

The (larger) suction pipe onto the compressor should be cold to the touch and be covered in condensation if properly charged. I can't remember if the Mk1 has a sight glass on the drier or not.

It doesnt have a sight glass no.

Does sound like its low on gas, might be due to age or you may have a leak. Get it regassed and a leak dye added so it can be checked.

thanks, how much should i expect to pay for regas

£40-£100 depending on what you want.

when you say what you want? That is a big price range? Main dealer, independent? or is it more complicated than that?

regas say £40

regas and leak check may be more

VW currently do a £99 offer that regasses your a/c, checks for leaks, uses an ultrasonic cleaner on the evaporator (gets rid of the old socks smell), a new pollen filter and a safety check.

Kwik-Fit do a check and re-gas for £45..

I had exactly the same symptoms as you, air-con not working, and a gurgling/wooshing sound from behind the glove box.

Took car to Kwikfit, who have a machine for aircon.. they took the blower temp with the aircon on, then connected machine which measured pressures... then removed old stuff, vacumn tests it and tnen puts new stuff in.

If its happened suddenly it may be a leak, but if its gradual and youve just noticed it, probably just needs re-gassing.. The early Octys are getting to that age now

Cant believe I'm doing it but my car is going into Kwik Fit today for regas :eek: Will be keeping a very close eye on them :scared:

I had the works done on mine when it went in for a service at the beginning of this week, I paid £75 all in iirc, my A/C is now icy cold and smells of flowers...

used my air con today and it was cold? not very cold but definitely cooler than it not being on? So i guess it is working just not very effectively.

Had mine regased today and it had less than half the R134A refridgerant than it should have and virtually no oil. Pressure test found no leaks either so its now working as it should.

My brand new Octy Vrs Tdi (07) is doing this, hope it is just a regas, although thinking leak at this age should be a warranty or garage job anyway as was only delivered yesterday.

Had mine regassed twice, worked for 2 days after first time then stopped as it has now. Is it expensive to diagnose what is wrong if sensor or something? Any suggestions would be most appreciated. (Ocatavia 2000 1.9 TDI)

All, unless it's a warranty claim or you're pretty sure it's just a regas when Kwik-Fit might be cheaper, check Yellow Pages for an automotive aircon specialist near you and take it there.