Air Con compressor bearing?

[mickmcvw]

Hi all,

First post here, looking for some advice.

2004 1.9TDI 130 6-speed Passat.

Sounding very rough at the moment when idling and I think it sounds like there's a bearing on it's last legs. Given the lack of space around the engine itself, it's difficult to do a whole lot of investigating without starting to strip down but it seems to be coming from the pump that's on the bottom left of the engine (when viewed from the front grille).

I don't have the car that long so haven't bought the Haynes manual for it yet but my best guess is that this is the A/C pump/compressor. Anyone care to confirm or correct my guess?

Based on the assumption that my guess is ok, does anyone know if there is some kind of a clutch system on this compressor? The outer part of the pulley is constantly rotating (belt driven) but the inner part of the same pulley (where I would expect it to be connected to the pump drive) seems to be idle/rotating jerkily again leading me to suspect a bearing...

Any and all suggestions welcome...

BTW. A/C itself seems to be working fine and cooling as expected.

[snapdragon]

Spring washer holding the swash plate fails on Zexel units used by VAG. If so, you should have it sorted ASAP, or you need to replace the whole compressor.

[mickmcvw]

Any indication of what that will involve?

My usual learning method for mechanical parts is stripping and assembling but obviously I can't take out the compressor in this case without a loss of fluid etc. It's the wife's car normally so I don't know how long this has been happening for. I drove it yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks so hope there's no further damage done already...

As far as I remember, there is a dedicated belt for the compressor so is it best to disconnect that immediately? Is it ok to drive with this disconnected until I can get it sorted? Any idea if there is a manual available for the compressor? Did a google on it but no joy there.

Thanks again!

[mcstu74]

Crikey - I hope you don't need a new compressor. I had to have mine replaced in 2003 & it cost a bomb (£800 inc labour). My symptoms sounded the same as yours though - a rough bearing kind of sound. Best bet is to get someone with some experience to listen to it.
I think you can just select 'Econ' (if Climatronic) or switch off the air con inside the cab to disconnect the main part of the compressor from the pulley rather than removing the belt. I did that with mine anyway...

Cheers
Stuart

[mickmcvw]

Wife took it back to the VW garage it was bought in this morning. Got a call some time later saying that they'll have to replace the compressor. Couldn't give a price at the time but said that it would be expensive.
The car was bought with a 12 month power train and back axle warranty but they won't cover this. Is there any point in fighting with them on this point?

[mcstu74]

Probably not. Air-con is hardly ever covered on any warranty (apart from brand new). Hopefully it'll be less than £800...