R36 Pneumatic Bolsters

[prn31]

When I think about it, the only time my R36 was covered with due and I tried to demist the interior, I just made things worse - had to drive with the windows down for 5 minutes - should have twigged then...

According to what I've been told (and what is on my invoice) the pressure control valve has stopped working. But I imagine that to access the PCV and replace it would cost just as much in labour as replacing the compressor. Plus I've been told that they would need t check the quality of the oil in the compressor and that if there are metal fragments then it would probably have contaminated the condenser down stream.

It is all conjecture until they inspect the compressor - it may well be a faulty PCV that initially failed, but I suspect it may have damaged the compressor and will need to be replaced.

[slipshot]

Ok, as an update. My friendly garage man in Brunswick had the car in today and I'd also done my research on the compressor. As prn31 has said, sometimes when it fails the actual compressor does get metal fragments in it and this eventually leads to failure. There's no easy way of checking if the compressor has failed (I believe) so for those who want to try the quick fix it would make sense to order it and give it a go.

I had a look at mine when it came off and the model number was 1K0 820 859Q so from what I've seen this was a later model. However it was also used across quite a few different cars and often has failures. The Garage had an R36 in just last week with the same model and the same issue.

I now have a new compressor (Denso I think, I can get the model number if required) fitted and the whole system re-gassed (because it has to be emptied of gas before removing the compressor). This is what takes the time - removing the undertray and compressor is about 15 mins. Ditto replacing it. But I now have lovely and instant cold air which is 'freezing' as opposed to chilled which I was occasionally getting before. Not cheap but should last longer than the 10 years the current unit has lasted....

[Jakeys]

Ok, as an update. My friendly garage man in Brunswick had the car in today and I'd also done my research on the compressor. As prn31 has said, sometimes when it fails the actual compressor does get metal fragments in it and this eventually leads to failure. There's no easy way of checking if the compressor has failed (I believe) so for those who want to try the quick fix it would make sense to order it and give it a go.

I had a look at mine when it came off and the model number was 1K0 820 859Q so from what I've seen this was a later model. However it was also used across quite a few different cars and often has failures. The Garage had an R36 in just last week with the same model and the same issue.

I now have a new compressor (Denso I think, I can get the model number if required) fitted and the whole system re-gassed (because it has to be emptied of gas before removing the compressor). This is what takes the time - removing the undertray and compressor is about 15 mins. Ditto replacing it. But I now have lovely and instant cold air which is 'freezing' as opposed to chilled which I was occasionally getting before. Not cheap but should last longer than the 10 years the current unit has lasted....

Great news mate. Mine is an MY10.5, takes about a couple minutes to properly demist the front windscreen on extremely cold nights, which I assume is not normal because it's annoying as hell and my old Mitsubishi Verada did a much better job, but it otherwise works perfectly so I'm not too worried about mine in the short term I think, it heats and cools just fine. Except in Summer, the Verada unit was a complete powerhouse. Could be 45C outside and you'd be wearing a jumper in the Verada it was so cold, those Aussie made cars have proper air cons!

[vagr36]

Oh god I thought mine was fine but mine also takes a very long time to demist. Is this not normal??? I just replaced my Haldex, I don't want to spend the same again on air con.

nahh dont think thats normal if i turn mine on it instantly demists hrrmmm could it just need to be regassed?