i have a 2000 W Skoda Octavia SLX 1.9TDI with climatronic climate control. About a week ago, the cold air stopped. The car is out of warranty and therefore rather the main dealer is up a ramp in a local air con specicalist. The compressor clutch has sheared off (that's the best technical description i can give), and some of the clutch landed on the undertray.
The specialist is trying to find out if he can get hold of just the clutch rather replace the whole compressor.
Previous posts on this sort of subject suugest that it is prudent to replace the whole compressor. Can anyone (Dave N?) advise on the wisdom or otherwise of just replacing the clutch?
Will the system need any more work after e.g. re-gassing?
Thanks in anticipation
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I'd expect a new compressor will be the only way out here - with the 'aid' of an AC Specialist you should be able to have a value-for-money repair/replaceemnt carried out.
Regassing will be required if a new compressor is fitted, anyway.
If I get time, I'll have a look and see if a clutch assembly is available for your car this afternoon.
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DL
Much appreciated, thanks
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No clutch parts are available from Autoclimate, the UK leader in a/c repair parts.
Only a new compressor was listed, at £664+VAT
Other than a new unit from Autoclimate, a used one might be worthwhile?
Best of luck
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I think that what you're describing, is that the nut holding the compressor plate has come loose (and fallen off). I've seen this a few times, and normally the splines on the end of the compressor shaft have been damaged beyond repair. This means that even if you can get a new clutch, it will simply spin on the shaft. Sanden don't normally supply the clutch as a seperate item, though companies that rebuild compressors must get them from somewhere, though I'm not certain many rebuilt compressors have many new parts on them!
If you can source a clutch, then your man will still have to remove the compressor, by the correct puller, and recharge. Whatever you do, you need to make sure your existing compressor hasn't broken up inside for some reason, and that has led to clutch failure. It's unlikely, but your man can recover the gas, then disconnect the compressor pipes and have a look up inside to see if there's any debris.
Bottom line is, you may as well replace the whole lot. Your man should be able to get a brand new compressor (beware of rebuilds) and fit and gas it for less than VAG want for just the compressor. The last couple I've done have cost around £650 inc. VAT. labour gassing etc.
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Thanks for the responses.
Having seen the bits, the splines in the nut have gone, and apparently the shaft is ok. Not really sure where to go from here, and will need to discuss with my man again. Things make a lot more sense when you see them in the flesh (metal) though.
£650 inc VAT - ouch! The car's probably only worth £3-4k, tempting to not bother and use the windows. Are there any ill effects of just not repairing the air con?
Thanks again
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If the shaft splines are OK then I would have thought you could repair it - perhaps with the help of a good machine shop. I would think it would be cheaper than getting a new compressor.
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It sounds like it was the nut that came loose, and the clutch plate dropped off?
I doubt the splines are ok on the compressor end, as when that nut comes loose, the clutch is still being driven at 3000rpm say, and the plate is stationary. That sort of speed difference will ruin the shaft and the plate.
If you still have the plate, measure it's diameter, or take a picture, as I may be able to get the plate and a nut off a knackered compressor for you. I'm assuming it's got a Sanden SD7V16 compressor?
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Yes Dave, it is the SD7V16 compressor. the clutch is 4.5 inches so about 110mm diameter. Thanks for the offer, but don' worry for now, i should have some news today.
My man THINKS but doesn't know 100% that the shaft is OK. I am trusting his experience as he feels that it is worth trying the clutch only route first.
Fingers crossed...
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to knock this one on the head, the air con guy sourced a new clutch, and fitted it. All is back to normal and it would seem that the splines on the shaft were indeed ok, after three weeks use. £200 bill rather than what £600 or £700 for new compressor.
i have sent his details to the good garage guide.
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Good news!
Thanks very much for the update; something some people forget to do after various people have offered advice!
--
groups.msn.com/honestjohn/problems.msnw?Page=1 - Pictures say a thousand words.....
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Just had similar failure on my 187,000 miles old 2001MY Golf 1.9 PD Tdi. Looks like the nut came loose first. The shaft splines are reduced in diameter, and the Armature plate has had its internal splines stripped. Both nut and Armature plate were retained by the undertray.
The shaft turns smoothly so I am keen to repair in situ. I have obtained a new armature plate (one half of the clutch), off another application which is identical except for lacking a keyway, and counterbalance weight. Also the spring force to be overcome (which resists the electromagnetic force to engage the clutch) is less than the OE part.
I will try this out (restoring the spline drive) but I am very curious as to why there is no counterbalance weight on the alternative application. Really i guess this is a qu for the very helpful Elec and A/C Doc!
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The balance weight is actually a damper/buffer to smooth out the engagement of the clutch plate where the pump is fitted to a car that cycles the compressor on/off.The golf is fitted with a compressor that
is known as a variable displacement type ,so the on/off function is not reqd.As to restoring the splines on the pump,I think it may be a little awkward due to space available,you may need to remove pump.I use a small square file using one of the 90o angles to "dress" the splines best possible,then a small dab of loctite to help it along.There may be no key way on the hub,but there may be a master spline that is slightly larger.Also check to see if any clearance shims have fallen off the shaft.The clutch to hub air gap needs to be correct.I think the reason that the shaft nut comes off ,is due to fact that the pump turns anti-clockwise,against rotation of the engine.hth
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