Mechanic advice - is this right?

[DWBN]

My mk5 Jetta has the common problem with little to no cold air when using air conditioning. After researching, I found that the TX control valve in the compressor often fails and ordered a new one. I've just dropped the car off to a mechanic (recommended through here) and asked for the new valve to be fitted and a complete re-gas.

I've been told that the air conditioning 'filters' often fail and he would need to check if they were able to clean it or if they would need to be replaced - I've never heard of this? He then said that the condensor and compressor all could be shot if there was metal in the system?

I declined the air-con dye (for an extra $40) too.

Has anyone had any similar experiences to this? On a side note, I also asked for my front struts to be replaced (replacements provided) but they could not remove the spings on-site and would need to send them away ($150 for both sides + labour) - this suprised me as I have done them countelss times myself, but now living without a garage and not having the time decided to drop them off to a mechanic...

Finally, I also requested the DSG to be serviced and was told that it would need to be 're-programmed' in addition to the oil change. I queried this and was told that it would involve clearing any codes and making the gearbox re-learn?

thoughts guys?

cheers.

[Stanton]

Air con has a common problem of sh**ing itself.Metal through the whole system.
Big $$$$.
He's right with the DSG too.
Not all mechanics are crooks.

[brad]

My mk5 Jetta has the common problem with little to no cold air when using air conditioning. After researching, I found that the TX control valve in the compressor often fails and ordered a new one. I've just dropped the car off to a mechanic (recommended through here) and asked for the new valve to be fitted and a complete re-gas.

I've been told that the air conditioning 'filters' often fail and he would need to check if they were able to clean it or if they would need to be replaced - I've never heard of this? He then said that the condensor and compressor all could be shot if there was metal in the system?

Maybe he's right but what actual diagnosis has he done? Yes it's pretty common for MKVs to have a compressor fail.

Is this guy a specialist VW independant or "all makes"?

I would suggest for an AC issue you see an AC specialist as they will know where to get good value aftermarket parts for a repair.

The only AC filter is the cabin filter. They are easy to replace & available for <$20 off eBay & other sources.

I also asked for my front struts to be replaced (replacements provided) but they could not remove the spings on-site and would need to send them away ($150 for both sides + labour) - this suprised me as I have done them countelss times myself, but now living without a garage and not having the time decided to drop them off to a mechanic...

He must have a crap workshop if he doesn't own a strut spreader (you can make one with a 10mm bolt in 5 minutes) or spring compressors or a suitable socket to rattle the top nut off.

Finally, I also requested the DSG to be serviced and was told that it would need to be 're-programmed' in addition to the oil change. I queried this and was told that it would involve clearing any codes and making the gearbox re-learn?

That's kind-of B/S just for an oil filter change on the DSGs. VCDS is probably needed if you do a mechatronics change. There are plenty of oil/filter change DIYs on the internet - have a look so you can at least get an understanding of the process.


The guy doesn't know what he's doing with VWs and appears to be having a lend of you - run a mile & don't go back. Find yourself a decent specialist. What part of Sydney are you?

[GTI4ME]

Done plenty of compressor/condenser/Tx valve/receiver dryer jobs in my time, once there's swarf in the a/c system its a full flush and replace to clean it out effectively, cutting corners can leave some swarf deposits in the system, which will ruin your newly replaced parts quite quickly. The dye should only be used if there's a leak requiring detection, so personally I wouldn't bother with it either.
The DSG oil change doesn't need to have any basic settings carried out if it's just a service, unless that's something you have specifically asked for.
As above, the mechanic seems to be taking the piss a bit, I would look elsewhere for someone reputable to carry out all the work at the same time.

[DWBN]

Cheers guys,

I'm in north sydney, but work out parramatta way. I've dropped the car off at a mechanic in the inner west but yes, was concerned about him not being able to perform basics such as removing springs from struts on site.

With regard to the DSG, I'm sure I was being bent over, and told him not to do the "programming" but just keep it to the oil change which will involve VCDS.

I'm yet to hear back about the status of the air con... I'm not suggesting he is dodgy, but having performed most basic services (brakes, spring installation etc myself), I was suprised at some of what he was saying.

Can anyone recommend someone trusted who won't request my first born and gold as payment?

[brad]

There's a recommended repairers section with experienced workshops out near Parra & near Nth Sydney.
Have a browse

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f12/

[The One]

If he doesn't have a spring compressor then thats ridiculous, a basic one is $40, what workshop is he running? AC filter he is probably referring to the receiver/dryer. Which is located on/near the condenser. Need to replace that if swarf has gone through system (receiver/dryer filters all the swarf.) leave TX valve alone, can flush the lines if your pedantic.

6 Speed DSG oil and filter replacement does not need any reprogramming, anyone who says elsewise is on crack.

[Jmac]

$20 for a drier pfft. Its a Mk5 we are talking about here its an insert in the condenser. The comment on swarf around the system is correct without being anal at all, if you don't get it out , be prepared to cough up again. Dye, well not keen on that either as its a here is some dye bring it back in a month diagnostic. Not sure how the EPA see that these days. Fill the system with nitrogen and check for leaks. Ac compressors bad on these. DSG totally no programming whatsoever with a service.
Jmac

[gazzmo]

I believe the DSG programming referred to is actually the temperature used for checking final level by VCDS or other

[MHAuto]

Maybe he's right but what actual diagnosis has he done? Yes it's pretty common for MKVs to have a compressor fail.

Is this guy a specialist VW independant or "all makes"?

I would suggest for an AC issue you see an AC specialist as they will know where to get good value aftermarket parts for a repair.

The only AC filter is the cabin filter. They are easy to replace & available for <$20 off eBay & other sources.



He must have a crap workshop if he doesn't own a strut spreader (you can make one with a 10mm bolt in 5 minutes) or spring compressors or a suitable socket to rattle the top nut off.


That's kind-of B/S just for an oil filter change on the DSGs. VCDS is probably needed if you do a mechatronics change. There are plenty of oil/filter change DIYs on the internet - have a look so you can at least get an understanding of the process.


The guy doesn't know what he's doing with VWs and appears to be having a lend of you - run a mile & don't go back. Find yourself a decent specialist. What part of Sydney are you?

.


The filter he is talking about is the receiver drier in the gas system, not the cabin filter in the car.

You can check the operation of the control valve in the compressor with a scope (amp and voltage) and monitor the pressures while testing.

You don't need to reset the adaptation on the DSG oil services as the car will "learn" with normal driving.

[DWBN]

Cheers for the reply guys. As an update, I went to pick-up the car and was advised that despite having it for a full day, nothing had been done and I would have to leave it for a second day. I was told that they were unable to change out the springs as they didn’t have the “right spring compressors” - wtf? I told the guy (Steve) that I had changed springs countless times over the years and have never heard of such a thing – to which he replied “do you have a degree in mechanics? No, then I don’t tell you how to do your job, so don’t tell me how to do mine”.

Righto….

Air con had not been touched or even looked at.

To confirm about the DSG service. When I booked, I said I wanted the DSG serviced and was provided a quote which I then booked in at ($350). After I had let him know I wasn’t happy that nothing had been done to the car, he told me that he was actually doing me a favour by doing the service that cheap as it cost more in oil than the quote. He then said the “programming” was using VCDS as part of the oil change. This was at an additional cost???? Correct me here, but when you book a service, you would expect that all parts required to perform the service, in this case for DSG VCDS, would be included in the quoted price?

Anyway, I walked away and will never go back, no recommend this joint to anyone. I ended up getting it serviced in Artarmon for a cheaper price, with everything done in half a day. New TX valve in the compressor and it’s like new again (ice cold air con), full DSG service for $330 (including oil and VCDS lol) and the struts changed. Couldn’t be happier.

[Fatherless One]

Great news, do we have a "not recommended" section?

[brad]

[QUOTE=DWBN;1095057]Cheers for the reply guys. As an update, I went to pick-up the car and was advised that despite having it for a full day, nothing had been done and I would have to leave it for a second day. I was told that they were unable to change out the springs as they didn’t have the “right spring compressors” - wtf? I told the guy (Steve) that I had changed springs countless times over the years and have never heard of such a thing – to which he replied “do you have a degree in mechanics? No, then I don’t tell you how to do your job, so don’t tell me how to do mine”.

QUOTE]

That's simply arrogance. When I was on the tools I learn't very quickly that there were a lot of untrained mechanics out there that knew a lot more than I ever would. One of the best mechanics I know is a network specialist for Optus - some people seem to have it in their genes.


My spring compressors are really crap $20 items I bought 25 years ago & while they aren't ideal for VWs, they still work.

He would have been absolutely stuffed trying to get the strut out of the hub because I bet he didn't have a hub spreader either (and didn't know it had to be spread).

[Jmac]

.


The filter he is talking about is the receiver drier in the gas system, not the cabin filter in the car.

You can check the operation of the control valve in the compressor with a scope (amp and voltage) and monitor the pressures while testing.

You don't need to reset the adaptation on the DSG oil services as the car will "learn" with normal driving.

Scope, most out there now have never seen one let alone use one. Even in dealers I worked in the past the leads were lost or broken, and the smoke machine had an inch of dust on them , bought my own and are both the most used bits of gear I ever use
Jmac

[DWBN]

Update

After the TX valve was installed all was great. Air con ice cold. Now after 48 hours (car was still at the mechanics as I was unable to pick it up), I've been told it's now not working at all? I went down this afternoon and sure enough no cold air. The mechanic is puzzled as it was fine yesterday, but now the fans are not engaging and it doesn't seem like the compressor is either.

My question is - does the compressor always spin or is it clutched? Would the TX valve cause this issue? My thought is the system has swarf in it and has blocked the new TX valve, although the fans not engaging and it happening overnight has me confused.

All fuses are good. Mechanic is sending it over to the auto electrician in the morning for a quick assessment, but he thinks it could be swarf too. It just seems strange that one minute it's great, then overnight nothing.

Thoughts guys?

If it is swarf, a condenser and compressor along with a full flush are required yeah? Ebay for compressors and condensers or is there another cheap alternative?