Replacing gates coupling for aircon/alternator

[4wheels]

Hi Folks,

Due for annual service on my 2007 Trakkadu (128Kw/4Motion). What are people's thoughts on replacing the above. Book says at 180,000Km, and I'm only up to 156K, but on the other hand it's 11 years old now. There is no 'time limit' on these in the service book, only the mileage. Still runs like new and it would not be especially convenient this year (for unrelated reasons). Is it safe to put it off for a bit longer. Will probably be at least another 3 years before I reach 180K.

thanks,

Brian

[Umai Naa!!]

I only do them if they fail.

Have seen a few vans on the original couplings, with well north of 300K on them.

Worst part is, to inspect them, you're not far off replacing them. They're fairly well buried.

[Rebuild]

mine's on 156K too.
Alternator has 1-2mm slop.Not too worried yet, will keep it in mind

[4wheels]

mine's on 156K too.
Alternator has 1-2mm slop.Not too worried yet, will keep it in mind

Hi Steve.

Thanks for your response. You might want to check your service schedule. I had the idea that the earlier motors (like your 2004) specified an earlier change over, but I might be wrong.

Also interested in how you checked the free play. I thought (and Umai confirms) that they were well buried.

Brian.

[Rebuild]

you can reach the alternator from underneath, after removing the undertray.
I thought servicing was 150K ish or so.
Checked freeplay by eye only

[Umai Naa!!]

The aircon one you can kind of see, but the alterntor is tucked right up under the intake manifold.

[Syncrotek]

My Owners manual says 150k for freewheel change, and mine (compressor) actually seized right at 150k on a trip back
from Bathurst. I was very lucky not to stuff the compressor shaft, had to repair it, would have been a $1000 compressor
job if left much longer, it was squealing for a couple hundred kays. If the servicing involves the front into service position
it would be good time to do that job, although it is a bit costly if done by the dealers.

[BrianJ]

My Owners manual says 150k for freewheel change, and mine (compressor) actually seized right at 150k on a trip back
from Bathurst. I was very lucky not to stuff the compressor shaft, had to repair it, would have been a $1000 compressor
job if left much longer, it was squealing for a couple hundred kays. If the servicing involves the front into service position
it would be good time to do that job, although it is a bit costly if done by the dealers.

When my freewheel hub seized at around 75,000k it stripped the spline completely off the compressor input shaft, that was the end of my first compressor and $2000. My second compressor failed because the control valve which is on the side of the compressor failed so the compressor can only give low output, so another $2000 which in reality was to replace a small valve worth about $50 max.

My guess is that it is more important to periodically check the freewheel hubs than the gates couplings.

[Syncrotek]

When my freewheel hub seized at around 75,000k it stripped the spline completely off the compressor input shaft, that was the end of my first compressor and $2000. My second compressor failed because the control valve which is on the side of the compressor failed so the compressor can only give low output, so another $2000 which in reality was to replace a small valve worth about $50 max.

My guess is that it is more important to periodically check the freewheel hubs than the gates couplings.

Ouch ! Man, very costly

Did you notice noises when it was failing ? - and Your guess is actually a good bit of advice.

That valve, despite what VW say is actually available in the aftermarket, it means having to find someone willing and competent to
do the job, which isn't all that difficult.

[BrianJ]

The first failure occurred without warning or any sounds until it actually occurred where there was a slight grinding noise, then no aircon. With the valve failure, the aircon shop man talked to me about his attempts to repair the compressors, but he wasn't confident enough with the repair performance to be able to guarantee his work. I cannot judge whether this was correct or whether he makes more money out of installing new compressors.

My engine has now done 260,000km with only a replacement water pump, but keeping the aircon going has been the biggest expense so far over 12 years. But I live in QLD and travel often to the northern parts of Australia, so I have to fix the aircon at any expense.