Is a new aircon compressor really the only answer?

[a8 tech]

the damper pulley is a common issue which shows he is not experienced

the noise comes from the pulley when overload protection becomes active, this is to prevent the pulley locking up and ripping the aux belt off, so the pulley damper brakes free allowing the pulley to turn independently from the a/c compressor and you hear the clacking noise

as long as the internal shaft has not siezed then the compressor can be repaired

stay with the dealer its cheaper in the long run and full parts and labour warranty

pulley repair kit base number 4F0 260 810 G but may vary with engine code and it may well have superseded

cost of pulley kit £140 + vat 1 to 2 hours to fit and you do not need to degas and regas as it can be fitted in situ by dropping the compressor down for easy access

[jangles]

...stay with the dealer its cheaper in the long run and full parts and labour warranty

That's what I've concluded, too, thanks. Still waiting to hear from Reading Audi re Audi goodwill or not.

Every little helps, to coin a phrase

[jangles]

Some weeks have passed and I'm still waiting to hear from Reading Audi re potential goodwill from Audi. A bit disappointed, tbh. I guess I need to chase them.

In the meantime, I have the climate control system set to economy mode which, if I understand the manual correctly, doesn't use the compressor. The noise I mentioned before isn't there at all now so I guess that must be the case.

I suppose I could continue like this for as long as I want: use econ mode, no compressor use or noise, but no actual air conditioning either...

Sound a sensible approach?

[Splash]

Some weeks have passed and I'm still waiting to hear from Reading Audi re potential goodwill from Audi. A bit disappointed, tbh. I guess I need to chase them.

In the meantime, I have the climate control system set to economy mode which, if I understand the manual correctly, doesn't use the compressor. The noise I mentioned before isn't there at all now so I guess that must be the case.

I suppose I could continue like this for as long as I want: use econ mode, no compressor use or noise, but no actual air conditioning either...

Sound a sensible approach?

I'm just looking at a warranty now that mine is 4 years old. Over the past year I've taken the view that I could get some goodwill from the Audi and/or the dealer.

I've previously had an aircon compressor issue with an older Audi, but took the view that if the situation arises on my A4 then I'll just run on "Econ" and if necessary have the compressor disconnected as the car has a sunroof. Of course I would review this based on any goodwill offered.

Don't forget that we all managed before aircon 20 years ago.

[jangles]

Don't forget that we all managed before aircon 20 years ago.

Precisely

[jangles]

So, weeks have passed with no word from the service fella at Audi Reading. I popped in yesterday as I was passing by. Glad I did as I talked to the service manager and made progress. The cost of the repair (replacing the compressor) will come in at about £1200 including VAT. Total cost, in other words (the £900 the service chap had mentioned to me before was excluding VAT). The cost breaks down as about £600 for the parts, the rest labour.

The service manager offered me 25% discount on that total cost as dealer goodwill, taking into account the relationships we're building. The cost to me will be about £806. I said "we have a deal." Car booked in early May for the work.

It's all about relationships.

[Mr-Rob]

No way I would use a main dealer for that !

But gald you got the result you were after.

[jangles]

No way I would use a main dealer for that !

My thinking is that it's another link in the chain for maintaining the car with an authorized Audi dealer. I think a major component repair such as this is good to have done at the dealer. Genuine Audi parts, authorized dealer, warranted, etc. Good for overall service/repair history when selling the car, too.

I realize not everyone would do this. And if the cost had been massively different than, say, an independent Audi specialist not too far away, I might be thinking differently. But I've established a good relationship with the authorized dealer in Reading, want to keep that.