Air Conditioning Compressor Fail

[Tom Watson]

Hi All,

Air con is a bit slow to cool, it takes up to 10 mins to start pumping cold air so went to get it serviced. It has been gradually getting slower to kick in and I don't think its as cold as it was when new.

Mechanic sais the compressor has failed and needs to be replaced.

Searched high and low for info, came up with various threads that talk about similar issues.

Any recommendations on which brand / type of compressor I should get fitted, and also an approx cost?

Cheers

[Antiplastix]

Might help if you give the year and model !

[Red dust]

Might help if you give the year and model !

I got the same problem, was told compressor failed and was quoted $2000 after discount

Can not grasp where they got that crazy number from, they might want me to buy a new car :-0

I got an Octavia sedan 2010 model (2009 plated) 2.0 TDI, surely that engine must be popular in many other cars that also utilise the same a/c compressor?
Any recommendations where I can get one installed in Brisbane area?

I do not mind to have the windows down, it actually work even close to 40 degree but becomes a pain when it start to rain plus high humidity.

[Tom Watson]

Might help if you give the year and model !

Its a 2009 TDI VRs

[wfdTamar]

If it really is the compressor I'd be asking if you can source it yourself as you'd likely get it from OS cheaper than here (if you're confident about what model to get and not in a super hurry). I'm no AC expert, but it may be another component leaking that has let refrigerant out (but then I wouldn't expect it to get cold at all).

Found this (sounds very likely):

octavia 2 a/c compressor cure - Skoda Octavia II (2004 - 2013) - BRISKODA

[Tom Watson]

If it really is the compressor I'd be asking if you can source it yourself as you'd likely get it from OS cheaper than here (if you're confident about what model to get and not in a super hurry). I'm no AC expert, but it may be another component leaking that has let refrigerant out (but then I wouldn't expect it to get cold at all).

Found this (sounds very likely):

octavia 2 a/c compressor cure - Skoda Octavia II (2004 - 2013) - BRISKODA

Hi, found this as well, seems a bit hit and miss.

Was told the system pressure is fine, no leaks, the compressor does not 'kick in' straight away.

[wfdTamar]

Hi, found this as well, seems a bit hit and miss.

Was told the system pressure is fine, no leaks, the compressor does not 'kick in' straight away.

I'd be exploring that before rushing to replace if $2000 is the cost. I've found non VAG specialists (i.e. the average A/C place) may not be familiar with every little peculiarity of a little worked on model. They would rather play it safe and sure and fully replace a suspect component if they didn't know about some issue like this. Would it be worth raising it with them? I know blokes (usually blokes) that work on cars are not the easiest to question though.

[Tom Watson]

I'd be exploring that before rushing to replace if $2000 is the cost. I've found non VAG specialists (i.e. the average A/C place) may not be familiar with every little peculiarity of a little worked on model. They would rather play it safe and sure and fully replace a suspect component if they didn't know about some issue like this. Would it be worth raising it with them? I know blokes (usually blokes) that work on cars are not the easiest to question though.

Cheers for the advise. Fully agree about the perculiarity of the newer vehicles and how things work. Will do some more digging as I am not in that big a rush to get it fixed.

Cheers

[wfdTamar]

I dunno if this is the correct model for your car but this is what I'd prefer to be paying (actually looks to be for the Mk 3):

Audi A3 VW Golf VII Skoda Octavia III 5E Clima Compressor 5Q0820803C | eBay


Here's one that actually mentions the Mk 2 Skoda but it's used:

VW Golf 6 VI EOS Passat 3C Audi A3 8P Skoda Octavia 2 Klimakompressor 1K0820859Q | eBay


A new Mk2 Skoda one in Australia $900!

NEW Genuine Skoda Octavia 1 6 1 4L 2 0L AIR Conditioning AC Compressor | eBay


$500 from Russia (with love no doubt)
1K0820808A NEW Klimakompressor Skoda Audi Seat VW | eBay

Heaps available.

[JustCruisn]

There has been a lot of cases of stuck control valves on MK5 Golf/Jetta compressors.
I would assume the Octavia is similar or the same. Symptoms are poor performance on startup, or intermittent cooling.
You need the part, a gas service and 10min swapping out the part.
VW Jetta and Golf sanden ac compressor control valve replacement | VW TDI forum, Audi, Porsche, and Chevy Cruze diesel forum



If you need a compressor: For comparison on my Mk4 Golf.
Was quoted $720 new or $570 reco + $480 labour + Gas costs, from a local mobile AC guy.
I sourced parts from JM Auto Air 02 97182209 $350 for a MK4 Golf.
Did it myself $350 + $200 extract and reload gas.
The Octavia could not be too much dearer than that, even double would be cheaper than some of those prices above.


As with anything, it will be cheaper to diagnose it properly before throwing parts at it.