Ac compressor dead!

[bretti_kivi]

On the A2, you can't stop the compressor from running. It's on the same belt as the alternator, so it's running when the engine is. And if the system's on, with no gas or oil, you will certainly break the compressor. Only "Off" or "Eco" will engage the clutch on the compressor to stop it turning with the engine. My system was running until recently with around 1/3 of the gas out; 200g was sucked out and 500 went back in. I'm not 100% sure the compressor is OK any more... the possibility of damage is definitely there, there was only 1g of oil in the system, where there should have been 12.

Moral? get the system checked every couple of years.

- Bret

 

[spike]

I'm fairly sure the A2 aircon compressor runs all the time the engine is turning. There is no 'on-off' clutch pulley but the compressor has variable displacement pumping elements so in the eco or off mode it only works at around 3% of its capacity.

The pulley does however incorporate a rubber element which allows the pulley to slip / freewheel should the compressor seize.

Cheers Spike

 

[Maso]

On the A2, you can't stop the compressor from running. It's on the same belt as the alternator, so it's running when the engine is. And if the system's on, with no gas or oil, you will certainly break the compressor. Only "Off" or "Eco" will engage the clutch on the compressor to stop it turning with the engine. My system was running until recently with around 1/3 of the gas out; 200g was sucked out and 500 went back in. I'm not 100% sure the compressor is OK any more... the possibility of damage is definitely there, there was only 1g of oil in the system, where there should have been 12.

Moral? get the system checked every couple of years.

- Bret

This doesnt make any sense what your saying.
So what says that the compressor doesnt run even if you put it on OFF? If its the same belt as the alternator a OFF button will not turn it off either. That means its pretty easy to shorten the lifespan of the compressor using the 3options if buttons. Thats not how i believe Audi would have engineered the system plus what my AC guy told me of how the system works.

 

[Maso]

I'm fairly sure the A2 aircon compressor runs all the time the engine is turning. There is no 'on-off' clutch pulley but the compressor has variable displacement pumping elements so in the eco or off mode it only works at around 3% of its capacity.

The pulley does however incorporate a rubber element which allows the pulley to slip / freewheel should the compressor seize.

Cheers Spike

This sounds more likely to me due to how the AC is engineered around the engine.

 

[bretti_kivi]

I do not know conclusively; re-reading, the rubber "clutch" is definitely there, and yes, the different displacements make sense. I stand by the statement that the compressor is always turning when the engine is on....

- Bret

 

[murdo]

With thanks to the information on this great forum, I now have working climate control again. Also thanks to Timmus for the replacement compressor. The mechanic at my trusted indy garage was sceptical that the used compressor was functional as it seems the clutch on this Denso component doesn't function the way he expected it to.... but after some head scratching it was fitted and the gas recharged. Hey presto - icy cold climate again

Also passed the MOT with no advisories - no bad for a 9.5 year old

 

[John L]

AC regassing is well worth it just for the rapid improvement in the time taken to clear the windscreen.
Before mine was regassed it took 2-3 minutes to clear condensation and now it just vanishes.
How much does regassing cost in the UK? I just got mine done in Finland as it seemed much easier than in Norway where there is a huge environmental tax on refrigerant. It was €90 in Finland.

John

 

[murdo]

How much does regassing cost in the UK? I just got mine done in Finland as it seemed much easier than in Norway where there is a huge environmental tax on refrigerant. It was €90 in Finland.

I paid £30 at a small independent garage today, and I think that was a bit of a bargain - I expected to pay more. The last time I had this done at Kwik-Fit it was about £50.

As an aside, our wee car got a complement from the guys working on it ( who clearly didn't know too much about the A2) firstly there was bemusement at the bonnet config - then I was asked what year the car was?

They had guessed 2008, so very pleased with that. I think the new style Audi key threw them a bit though.