07 MKV GTI - Air Conditioning: Mixed results/

[tomgti]

Hi guys,

Just got a MKV GTI 2 weeks ago and notice that the AC sucks!
From quick research I read a variety of things from 'they are not made for AUS climate' to 'theres a simple fix'.

My issue:
The fans work fine, the AC pipes in the engine bay are cold.. but it's definitely not cold in the cabin.
Had an AC specialist have a look at it and couldn't diagnose any problem - said I'd have to leave it with him/book it in to get checked.
A quick google search shows that many people have the same issue.

Could someone please enlighten me on how to fix this? Much appreciated with the warm months approaching.

Cheers!

[asa572]

I had a similar problem with mine which could relate to your problem.
Go into the secret menu in the climate control and see what it is saying cabin temperature is.
My cabin temp would read lower than it was.
This meant that the climate control wouldn't work properly.
Mine problem was intermittent.
I'd be driving along and say it's 26 deg in the cabin, then the cabin sensor would trip out say it was 19 deg in the cabin
and this would make it blow warmer air out of the ac.
How I fixed mine was put my thumb on the sensor and wiggle it.
When you are in the secret menu and you have the cabin temp showing you can put you thumb on it and watch the temp change.
Sounds weird but it work and I haven't had the problem for over a year.

[tomgti]

Thanks for the reply. In theory, this kind of makes sense, as sometimes it pumps out warm air when I've got it set to LO with full fan.

Where is the secret menu? I'm a noob to VW's.

[Buckets]

Which channel is the cabin temperature? I'm occasionally having the same issue, hot inside the car and the AC wants to pump out warm air when on AUTO

[asa572]

Here is everything you need to know
Climatronic menu on mk5 VW with dual zone automatic climate control | VW TDI forum, Audi, Porsche, and Chevy Cruze diesel forum
Just remember where it says left driver knob it is the left passenger knob it is written for left hand drives.

[xradioactiveman]

Google RCV valve replacement, ordered mine apparently good results if that is your issue

[tomgti]

^ RCV could be it.. Where do you purchase from in Australia?

[DWBN]

Polarbear from the states.

[tomgti]

Thanks. Hold Down Bolt or Snap Ring?
2007 MY07 GTI..

[DWBN]

snap ring

[tomgti]

Just wondering - Has anyone had any success by simply draining the refrigerant, removing the RCV and cleaning it, then reinstalling and regas? The reason I am thinking this is because for the last 10 days, the AC has been working intermittently - luck of the draw if it decides to work or not.

I'm thinking I'll take this approach - any tips?
If not - anyone in Melbourne that could help fix my issue or perhaps stock an RCV?

[jessv3]

The AC in my MY08 GTI has just started blowing hot air it works OK on the freeway but as soon as I pull into heavy traffic the cabin starts to heat up. I had one auto-elec take a quick look at it yesterday who said the compressor requires replacing and quoted me 1.1k. I don't know if I'm convinced considering it works ok when I'm not in traffic, my gut tells me it is more likely an intermittent failure of some part of the AC system, perhaps the RCV.

Does anybody know of any good aircon places on the Sydney North Shore? Someone who will thoroughly check it out without just telling me it needs a new compressor.

As a side question, has anyone had VW cover the cost of getting the AC fixed in an older GTI (car is over 8yrs old). It really is disappointing that an AC unit can't even last 100k, it appears to impact most mk5/6 owners. My parents had the same issue in their MK6 103tdi, lucky for them their car was only 2 months out of warranty so VW covered the entire 3k bill.

[xradioactiveman]

Had my RCV changed on Xmas eve and regassed. Blowing ice cold air now [emoji4]

[jessv3]

Had my RCV changed on Xmas eve and regassed. Blowing ice cold air now [emoji4]

Nice! Where abouts did you get it fixed/ source the parts and what was the cost?

Sent from my GT-N7105T using Tapatalk

[xradioactiveman]

I got mine of eBay but as others have said you can get it from polarbear or alibaba. It's a pretty easy job I think. I'm in Adelaide. Any mechanic that does ac work should be able to do it. There's few how to guides on the net. You need to evacuate the compressor, replace the RCV and then regas.