Just got back from the handling day and noticed on the way back that the aircon was not performing at all well, despite being set to max chill. Switiching it off actually didn't make any difference to the air temp, so I'm thinking there's a problem with it. Had a quick look under the bonnet and couldn't see any loose hoses or anything obvious, so plugged in VAG-COM and ran an autoscan.

It turned up the following fault:

Address 8 One fault found 00818 sensor for evaporater outlet temp (G263)

30-10 Open or short to B+

Anyone know if this is a problem I can fix myself, or is it a dealer job, and if so what do I need and how much is it likely to cost?

Thanks!

Chris

Sounds like a regas as you have a leak. Have you been using the air con regularly and just found this, or has it been on holiday(the air con). If you dont use it on a regular basis the compressor seals dry out then it leaks.

A regas will cure it I,m sure.

Air con is on constantly and was working just fine this morning!

Chris

Blows thaqt iadea out of the water then.

Perhaps a sticky relay for the compressor... I have had that before.

Ive had the air-con go bang on 3 occassions, usually associated with masses of white smoke and green dye all over the engine bay. Seeing how you may have a small leak going looking for the dye, with a uv lamp is best as it is also a uv dye.

I hope for your sakes it isn't what I had - a stone through the radiator grille taking out the condenser. I had mine regassed, and you could see the gas emerging from the small hole.

I don't know about the Furby, but on the Octy it was going to cost over

also another very common problem is the nut on the end of the pump works it self off.

Thanks K - can you tell a non-techie where in the engine bay to look for the pump

Chris

driven off the alternator belt should be just underneath the alternator will have to get underneath to look

K, does it happen on the Fabia with the clutchless air con compressor aswell?

I know it happens alot on the Octavia/Golf/Leon/A3 just hadnt heard of it effecting the new types of compressor.

Get the system checked out and regassed if required, they should also add UV dye and then they will be able to trace the leak with an ultraviolet light.

Hmmm - well took the car out this evening and thought I'd try the air con and see whether it worked or not ...... and it's back to chilling air as it has done previously!!! I also notice both the fans behind the radiator are spinning now too - but they were not on the way back after the handling day. Is this related? :confused:

Think I might get it regassed anyway as the car is a smidge over 3 years old and I can get them to test for leaks at the same time.........

Chris

Ok a quick update. Have just had the system degassed, vacuumed and regassed and the pipe work is apparently in excellent condition, although they said there was not enough gas in the system, but that was expected after 3 years. So, they said the problem seems to be with the compressor clutch not kicking in and that it could be sticking, so Andy might be on to something ..... do you know where the relay is?

Anyone know if this sounds feasible, especially as Ross suggested it's a clutch-less system And if it is, how much work is involved in "unsticking" a compressor clutch or worst case replacing the compressor on the Fabia TDI?

Thanks, Chris

A new compressor is circa

Cost me 60 quid and the guys came to my house to do it and it took them just under an hour.

Chris