T5 aircon failure

[4wheels]

Aircon recently failed on my 2007 T5 4Motion. OBD scan suggests a pressure problem so it may just need a regas. However it's due for the couplings to be replaced at next service (currently on 170k km). Does anyone know if that involves a regas anyway. Should I get both done now, or are they separate issues.
Thx, Brian.

[Syncrotek]

Hello Brian,

Which engine, you mention couplings so I suppose You mean the freewheel drive & rubber couplings and it
is a 2.5TDI. If so then it would be a good idea to get those done now. They are known to fail before 170K kms.
Had a coupling failed you likely would have noticed it by way of noise(s) or battery/alt light if the alternator.

The service would include a pressure test of the air conditioning system, if all is working ok then usually it will be
left at that, however if the pressures are low, (Refrigerant Pressure sporadic - Lower Limit Exceeded) it suggests
the gas has leaked, and the leak(s) need to be rectified before recharging the system. Air conditioning leaks can
sometimes be difficult to find and overcome, my own T5 had a leak at the rear system, hard to get at with camper
furniture, and the exhaust silencer and pipes, so the rear a/c pipes have been blanked off.

[4wheels]

[QUOTE=Syncrotek;1306551]Hello Brian,

Which engine, you mention couplings so I suppose You mean the freewheel drive & rubber couplings and it
is a 2.5TDI. If so then it would be a good idea to get those done now. They are known to fail before 170K kms.
Had a coupling failed you likely would have noticed it by way of noise(s) or battery/alt light if the alternator.


Thanks Syncrotek, Should have mentioned, 2007 2.5TDI, 128Kw. No noises or dash lights, just no cold air when first used for a while.

Was planning to get the couplings done at next service (June 2020). Now not sure whether to just try to get it regassed locally at a general aircon place, or bring forward my service.

[LogicprObe]

If you need a regas, there is a leak somewhere.
They should offer to put some dye in to find out where.

[VWTDI]

I had the same engine. The freewheel on the AC coupling failed causing the AC compressor to fail. In the end I needed a new AC compressor, coupling and freewheel.
As LogicprObe said, go get a regas and make sure it has UV dye in to start diagnosing where the leak is.

[BrianJ]

I had the same engine. The freewheel on the AC coupling failed causing the AC compressor to fail. In the end I needed a new AC compressor, coupling and freewheel.
As LogicprObe said, go get a regas and make sure it has UV dye in to start diagnosing where the leak is.

Exact same as my first compressor, it stripped the spline off the input shaft.

Second compressor worked for a couple of years then wouldn't get cold, plenty of gas, but there is a valve on the compressor that clogs up and it controls how far the pistons travel in the pump, so sludged up valve, very little cold. The valve is there on this model because the compressor turns 100% of the time, but the piston travel is regulated. I have spent more on compressors and freewheel couplings than anything else on the van.

[sulley]

Question for everyone here ... my 2006 T5 3.2V6 6sp Auto - A/C Compressor has failed.

I can't seem to find any compatible one online ... is that because they are listed as something else?

I found a Valeo 813419 one, which says its compatible on some sites? But I have no idea. Are the petrol and diesel ones the same? It seems a bit of a black art trying to find a part number that is relevant to replace this one.

Any help appreciated.

[BrianJ]

The 2006 diesels used no pulleys and have direct gear driven drive to the external components, that is the coupling and rachet drive being referred to in the above posts. I have never seen a petrol engine from that era, but I suspect it will be driven by a conventional external belt and pully system which you should be able to see. If that is the case, then the diesel and petrol engines will not have the same compressor. If you have a normal belt driven compressor with a clutch it should be much easier to diagnose than the diesel ones, any car air-conditioner shop should be able to help.

From memory I think the diesel one fitted to mine was a nipon-denso brand.