Secret air conditioning sequence? R36 2008

[Screwdriverone]

So, some good news here. My Aircon is Fixed! I took the advice of OldNavMan and sourced an RCV valve on eBay and evacuated the system, replaced the valve ( 10 min job as the Sanden PXE16 I have had the RCV valve on the bottom with a simple circlip to hold it in) refilled the system with 600g of R134a and my aircon is now as good as new!

43 degrees today and on Friday and no problems keeping the car cool at 22 degrees and below. even the compressor now shows a pressure drop during cooldown.

If anyone else has this problem, dont muck around. simply identify your compressor and buy the RCV valve and take your car to an aircon specialist and get it fixed for around 200 bucks.

Sweet!!!

Cheers,

Chris

2008 R36 Reflex Silver Wagon

[00100100]

Thank you for the feedback, I think this going to be a common problem for us in Aus since the aircon is always running. What was your car's mileage when this started to happen?

[Screwdriverone]

Thank you for the feedback, I think this going to be a common problem for us in Aus since the aircon is always running. What was your car's mileage when this started to happen?

Around 120K+ although it has been asthmatic since I bought it at 113K


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[Toine888]

Possibly the best thing I have read on the internets! I have been searching for a solution to my 2009 R36 Passats AC problem for a while now, and have even considered selling the car due to the length of time it takes to produce cold air! We have been having some extremely hot weather down in Melbourne so its been tough! Thanks OldNavMan and Screwdriverone for the solution! Just hoping I have the Sanden PXE16 unit so I can do this myself. Screwdriverone, it would be great to understand which ebay shop you used to buy the part?

thanks!

[Screwdriverone]

Possibly the best thing I have read on the internets! I have been searching for a solution to my 2009 R36 Passats AC problem for a while now, and have even considered selling the car due to the length of time it takes to produce cold air! We have been having some extremely hot weather down in Melbourne so its been tough! Thanks OldNavMan and Screwdriverone for the solution! Just hoping I have the Sanden PXE16 unit so I can do this myself. Screwdriverone, it would be great to understand which ebay shop you used to buy the part?

thanks!

Here you go Toine888 For VW AC Compressor Control Solenoid Valve For GOLF EV19 PXE16 1K0820803S CF12 | eBay


Cheers,

Chris

2008 R36 Reflex Silver Wagon

[Toine888]

Here you go Toine888 For VW AC Compressor Control Solenoid Valve For GOLF EV19 PXE16 1K0820803S CF12 | eBay


Cheers,

Chris

2008 R36 Reflex Silver Wagon

Thanks a Chris, can I ask how you manage to get the Ac compressor model? Anyway I can get a photo of it without having to hoist the car? Or do I need to hoist in order to see if I have the Sanden PXE16?

[Screwdriverone]

Thanks a Chris, can I ask how you manage to get the Ac compressor model? Anyway I can get a photo of it without having to hoist the car? Or do I need to hoist in order to see if I have the Sanden PXE16?

Just jack up the car on the right side front and remove the plastic stone guard (7screws) as the compressor is at the front right.

The ID plate is closest to the front right headlight so you could unscrew the three right hand side screws and pry down the stone guard to snap a photo of the id plate.

The funky one armed jack does a good job of lifting the lowered R36 high enough to get under and look at or work on it, however it was on ramps when the valve was replaced. For safety, make sure you support the body under the jack before getting under it.

The circlip holding in the cable is easy enough to remove. Bunnings has a circlip plier kit for about 30 bucks. Be careful removing the valve, the plastic on top of it may be brittle and break off. Just use some grippy linesman long nose pliers and wiggle it out while pulling.

Before you remove the valve, make sure the system has had the R134a has been recovered correctly as it is illegal to vent this out to the atmosphere.

Once the valve is removed and replaced, the air con specialist simply vacuum tests the system and then charges it up with 600g of R134a and tests the compressor which takes about 5-10 mins to lubricate and then pull down during compression to start getting cold. The voila! Icy cold air from the vents. Just make sure you run it on LO to tell the compressor to go into maximum cooling load.

Best of luck.


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[Screwdriverone]

A further tip, when replacing the stone guard under the car, DONT replace the Centre screw as any impact underneath the spoiler can push the screw up and puncture the radiator above. Dean from VW mobile servicing told me this. The tabs work just fine holding the guard up at the front and the 6 other screws keep it from flapping about


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[Toine888]

Thanks again Chris, I have taken a punt that i have the Sanden PXE16 unit also so bought that compressor valve you linked to me. Will get my mechanic to fit it in the next couple of weeks. Cant wait to have working ac!

[Toine888]

UPDATE: checked the compressor and it was indeed the Sanden PXE16 so bought the ebay part and had my mechanic fit and regas. VOILA! Problem solved! Perfect instant cold air as soon as ac switched on. I will be keeping the car. Thanks again @screwdriverone !