Air-cond not very cold

[greasykitchen]

Just a quick and probably stupid question:

Is the air-cond on the Mk5 supposed to get really cold? Mine struggles on full power on even a mild/warm day. Car is 2005 with 51k km (I've only had it 3 months). I'm used to a Mk1 so any air-cond is a novelty.

I thought that being a Euro car it may not be designed to get too cold, but it probably just needs re-gassing.

Thanks.

[caddyshack]

Mine gets very cold, even though the golf is designed in Europe , it's a world car and the A/C works well, unlike some euros e.g Alfa Romeo. Probably just needs a re-gas

[55ASI GTI]

Mines not very cold either compared to a 1998 supra sold just prior to its purchase; I was thinking coz euro car but maybe not...

[stickshift3000]

The earlier mk 5's are known for an air-con compressor manufacturing defect which can lead to air-con system failure. Fixing this (at a dealer) will be in the vicinity of $1500-3000 by all accounts I've read.

There's a lot of info around on this, here's a good article for starters: Volkswagen Golf, GTI, Passat, Jetta and Eos Air Conditioner Compressor Failure | my-gti.com

My 2006 model compressor has just become faulty recently, it makes a barely audible high pitched whine when air-con is selected and no cool air. Looks like it will be windows down for me this summer...!

I hope yours just needs regassing.

[greasykitchen]

Thanks for the feedback.

Mine is still cool, just not particularly cold. Fine on mild days, frustrating on warm/hot days. So it's not failed yet.

According to the article the models affected are 2006/2007 models; mine is a 2005.

Hopefully just a re-gas is needed. But according to comments on that article replacement with aftermarket compressors is cheaper/easier than a VW-approved fix that may not even last that long.

[Allords]

I have an 08 MkV and have the same problem. VW said it was low on gas and topped it up when I took it in about 4 weeks ago. I only noticed a slight improvement. On a hot day when the car has been sitting in the sun - the aircon takes 4-5 mins on full blast before any cool air even starts. It never gets super cold like every other car that I have had.... strange.. I'm keen to hear more about this too - not quite the compressor issue that seems to hampering some older models..

[Fatherless One]

I had the same issue with my 2005 Golf, luckily it was under warranty.

I'd already done some searching on the forum(s) and was aware of the problem compressors on my model so it came as not much of a surprise.

My issue was it never got particularly cold since I'd bought the car, but after having the car's radiator replaced it was delivered back to me with no cool air what so ever.

I took the car to a local air con specialist who told me the compressor wasn't even turning on, the compressor need to be replaced.

The car dealer behind the scenes was trying any way they could to cut corners but they eventually backed down had all brand new parts fitted, they didn't tell me what it cost to fix but now it's icy cold within minutes.

Just in time for summer

But now I'm up for new front brakes (rotors and pads)

[Doddso99]

I am in the exact same boat. If I get in my car at night time the air con is lovely, but if it has been sitting in the sun for a few hours then it will take a good 5-7mins before it starts to get cold, even then it isnt a constant cool breeze. Hopefully its just a re-gas.

[jettapilot]

Me too!

Mine is a 2009, 60,000kms and recently noticed the aircon slow to cool. Re-gas didn't fix it. My service guy said it's the compressor solenoid and to take it in for warranty repair. 2009 is a bit young for the well publicised problem - that was supposed to be 2005-2007 models wasn't it?

[slipshot]

Regassing is often required on any car over three years old. And sometimes less. Certainly there can be small leaks over time that effects the system. All this nonsense spouted about Euro cars being different is exactly that - maybe a long time ago yes, but these days the air con systems in cars are virtually identical around the world. And a Mk 5 had a decent enough system so if it's not blowing a re-gas (which is often more a top up) is required. Basically, the pressure is not sufficient to allow the heat to be extracted etc etc, so a decent air con guy would dye the system, check for leaks (because it's quite possible there is a leak and re-gassing will last for a short time before being needed again), and if everything is pukka, they'll top everything up and give it a run. They will also test the temp coming from the vents so you'll know if its meeting usual specs...

[Doddso99]

Sadly just had my TFSI Jetta in for its first service since I got it 4months ago. Have just been informed it is in fact the Air Compressor that is at fault. Does anyone know what to do if the 2nd statutory warranty has only just run out by 3 weeks? Am I on my own or does the dealer have some responsibility seeing as they did a full vehicle check before they sold it to me?

[RedEye]

Same problem with my 08 GT, takes 4-5 minutes to get down to a respectable temp, but it never really gets all that cold. It's good enough for most days, but on a 40 degree day, it can barely keep up.

I only just bought the car though, so I haven't really started looking into it. Keen to see if anyone comes up with a cost effective solution.

[greasykitchen]

Sadly just had my TFSI Jetta in for its first service since I got it 4months ago. Have just been informed it is in fact the Air Compressor that is at fault. Does anyone know what to do if the 2nd statutory warranty has only just run out by 3 weeks? Am I on my own or does the dealer have some responsibility seeing as they did a full vehicle check before they sold it to me?

I guess it depends on what the law is in your state and how generous the dealer is. I checked with the statutory warranty for mine (since expired) and it does not cover "Refrigerated Air Conditioning". But the extended warranty I purchased does not seem to exclude air cond.

I should also update on mine - it does seem to get reasonably cold when going for a while on hot days. Not super cold though. My mechanic tested it and reported it as cycling down to three degrees at the vent, which apparently is pretty good for a Mk5 (the older cars had better a/c apparently).

As for economical fixes, I'd suggest getting on good terms with an independent VW mechanic who would probably charge less than a dealer and probably treat you better anyway. Also, look to see if any warranty you might have will cover it.

[Johnbu]

I had my MY07 a/c fail- compressor replaced under warranty.

Note, if your a/c requires regassing- the a/c system is faulty. It doesn't leak unless it is something is faulty and regassing is only a temp fix.

There are A/C systems 20 years old which work perfectly without any regassing.


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[Johnbu]

I agree the air cond in my MY07 isn't very cold- my Astra and virtually any Japanese car is much better.


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