Scirocco Central

Hey guys, so I went to get my air con regassed at galfords at the weekend and there was no compression. So the guy said the compressor probably needs replacing, from what I've read it's quite common to go. Got a quote from my local garage of £460 to replace! But I've seen some new ones on eBay for 180-200 which at denso brand, would this be any good or would I be better off spending the money and getting a vw part? Also does anyone know the part umber so if I do but one off eBay I get the right one?
Thanks!

Need more than just the compressor. Also need the drier and pressure valve, and the system needs to be flushed. At least, it's recommended.

The shaft snaps inside the compressor and the two ends grind against each other producing loads of small metal shards. These get circulated round the system, hence the need for a flush. If you don't flush it then the new compressor will get damaged by the metal shards.

Ah ok I didn't realise that, are those parts expensive?

I don't know. Just had a quote myself of £400 for the repair. I'm going to ask if that's just the compressor or the full job.

Cool that's not a bad price, let me know mate

Will do.

Did the Halfords guy confirm that the gas was OK as the compressor won't engage if the gas pressure is low.

I and many other Scirocco owners have had Condensers replaced under warranty due to manufacturing defects causing leaks.

Compressors do fail but make surevthat's the cause and not the symptom before shelling out for a new Compressor. Even the pressure sensors have been known to fail.

You're not having much luck with your new car.

The gas also seemed to be empty, but he said there was no click when you pressed the air con button to on or a change in revs like you normally get, maybe I should get it checked properly in that case

I know I hope there isn't anything else wrong with the car! Although the steering/suspension seems ok now so it's just the air con, I can live without it but it's been pretty hot recently

I do have a vag com report that was done last week would it say in that's what's wrong?

If there was no gas in the system you wouldn't get the click as the compressor will be disabled . I'm not sure about VAGCOM but first thing would be to get it gassed up and the dye put in for checking leaks.

Ok cool I will do that, can any garage do that or would it need to be VW to check for any leaks?

Any garage that does air con should be able to do it, however VW know how their system works. I think you've demonstrated that Halfords don't:-)

Yeah true, do you have any idea what VW charge for this kind of check? I'm guessing it wont take that long

They normally charge an hour's labour for diagnostics.

The other option is to book the car in for an air con service which is normally a fixed price of £79. While carrying out that they should be able to identify the issues.

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cool thanks mate, I was thinking about maybe taking out a VW warranty actually if that's even possible, I looked and saw used car or extended warranty, but I bought my car private rather than from a garage, do you know if I can take one out/

Yes, you can take out the extended warranty which is administered by Mondial but it will be more expensive as the warranty has lapsed. Details are on the VW website.

Ok so I called them and for the top level of cover for 1 year is £500, that seems pretty good, seems like a no brainer as the air con alone wouldn't be far off that, does that sound good or am I missing something? she said it covers all electrical and mechanical

It is a good warranty, I have it my self. Mine was around £300 last year but it was within warranty when I renewed it.

I normally don't bother with warranties but this one is as close to the manufacturers one as I've seen but as always double check the exclusions, claim limits and small print to make sure it suits.

Yeah it seems good for a year, and I bet a couple of things come up that need doing in a year, I cant claim for a month and faults existing faults are not covered, can they tell when the air con packed up?

Wouldn't have thought so, unless the previous owner had it investigated / reported at a VW Franchise