3B aircon compressor?

[dan_b]

My aircon has expired, again... Ok, I know I should take it out and save myself 70kg in weight, but I do like to keep cool in the summer, and misty-window free in the autumn, so I want to fix it.

It's already had a new drier and aircon rad, and a recharge (plus a conversion to 134a), when they did the recharge they put the UV leak detection fluid in...

Took it to VACS in West Byfleet today and they sourced the leak to the Compressor. Literally the only component that hadn't already been replaced, but the leaking UV dye was clear to see.

My question is this - is the 3B aircon compressor any different to the ABY one? They couldn't actually find the part on their system, and Audi said the OE part was, wait for it, £900, and that that was on back-order anyway...

So, what compressor could I use? How much should I pay? Now way am I paying £900 for it.

This is one of an alarmingly increasing list of faults that my S2 is developing at the moment and I'm getting a bit hacked off with this expensive crate.

[S2central.net]

3B compressor is different AFAIK. Get it reco'd by a specialist Aircon company. Its made by a large manufacturer of a/c systems so any decent dealer *should* be able to source a reco kit at decent money. It probably boils down to a dodgy seal somewhere...

[s2driveruk]

In the same way that we can upgrade calipers for brakes, is it not possible to use a completely different compressor with an appropriate mount? There are loads of A4/A6 compressors around (seen them on Ebay for silly, read cheap money) which I am sure must be able to cope with being use on another application and maybe be less power draining....afterall i guess compressor technology must have moved on a fair bit in 12 years....?

I am prepared to be shot down on this but, maybe just maybe its a possibility...?

David

[dan_b]

VACS is Vehicle Airconditioning Specialists, based in West Byfleet, seemed to know what they were about. They're going to take the old one off and examine it, but i was just wondering if there was another option?

[s2driveruk]

These may be of help Dan:

http://www.bba-reman.com/catalogue/P...x?category=328

http://search.ebay.de/audi_Klimaanla...timeZ1QQsotrZ1

Cheers,

David

[dan_b]

£425... Yikes

[martinjs]

newsh fitted one from an aby to his 3b, but think you need some of the other pipework from the aby also because the connections are a different size to the 3b's.

[audiman]

Thats right, the pipes are different. VACS are a very large recon company. Im sure they can sort something out. Mine has now developed a leak from the compressor, thats the beauty of converting from R12 to R134a. The A4 compressors fail for a past time anyway, plus fitting would be a nightmare, they are variable displacement type which would help reduce load on the engine.

[newsh]

Yep you can fit a comp from an ABY but you need the pipes and remake the other ends using the 3B connectors, bit of a fiddle.. More clearance for the RS2 IC though.

[dan_b]

Got myself a compressor (thanks TQ!) and the rather good people at VACS installed it today and re-charged the system for £70. They installed a low-side valve as well, which apparently makes it easier to drain/re-charge the system if need be. Replacement compressor is nice and quiet, I now have lovely, cool, dry air and misty-free windows. Let's hope this one doesn't spring a leak...

I now have a spare 3B compressor which has a perfectly decent functioning clutch mechanism if anybody wants it?

[dan_b]

Bloody hell
Bloody aircon seems to be struggling to cope with the temperature today (18 degress in March), it's making that asthmatic hissing sound and not really chilling the air. Again. How many more damn times is this aircon system going to pack up on me?

Some days I really hate this car

[tamaquatt]

Sorry to hear that Dan, hope it is something easy / cheap to cure.

Never got round to sorting out mine on the ABY...... sometimes it seems there is no end to the expense of these motors

[dan_b]

I'm >£1500 this year already and it's only mid-March

[s2driveruk]

blimey, it does all seem to be happening to your car Dan.... Hope it all ocmes together again soon!

Just back from Shepperton and was thinking I must get my aircon regassed, would u reccomend VACS?

Cheers

David

[dan_b]

Well I've been to VACs three times now! I was impressed with their service, and it's not their fault that the compressor leaked and they seem to know their stuff. I'll probably be going back there for another leak detection test...

Yes it does feel as if it's all happening to me at once, my wallet is rather empty