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Air-Con issues Skoda Yeti Outdoor Elegance Greenline ll TDI CR 1.6 Diesel

3K views 13 replies 6 participants last post by  JUST Yeti 
#1 ·
Hi All, I'm new to this forum and looking for some advice if possible.
My Yeti 2015 has recently been serviced and MOT with 60K on the clock, everything passed okay except the Air-Con. I've been quoted £490 for a new compressor, labour and a re-gas. If they find the system is clogged up the cost will be £920 inclusive of a new compressor, condenser, labour and a re-gas (all original new Skoda parts). Just wondering if anyone else has had the same issue and would like to share their knowledge and experience with me. Thanks for listening.
 
#2 ·
Are those quotes from a Skoda dealer, or from an independent automotive air-con specialist?
 
#4 ·
OK - that's good.

While we're waiting for a member to come along who has experienced similar, a few more questions below to help understand the issue...
(Aside: I've never had an air con complete failure in my driving life. Although there's always a first time for everything and I did have a Renault that needed annual top ups of its refrigerant for the last 3 years of its 7 in my ownership).

What exactly is wrong with the air con that caused it to become an MOT fail? Sounds like compressor fail could be a possibility?
Do you tend to use the air con all the time / regularly enough to keep it healthy?
Or do you tend to run with the air con off?
Has the car been laid up during lockdown and not had the air con system "exercised" regularly?

For comparison: a replacement air con compressor for my own Yeti is priced from £275 for a Lucas unit to £445 for a Denso (list prices from ECP this weekend). Or £165 to £267 with the level of discounts regularly available from ECP. for non-trade customers.

P.S. When the air con service specialists say they use "Skoda Genuine parts", be aware that neither Skoda, nor parent VW make air con compressors themselves. They buy-in for engine assembly from the big, reputable component manufacturers like Nissens or Denso (for air con components. Others.different areas of speciality). So the the air con shop would likely be buying from the original manufacturers, rather than indirectly from a Skoda dealer. That's normal and perfectly fine.
 
#5 ·
Apologies for the confusion caused on my part. The Yeti passed it's MOT, the air-con is a separate issue.

I intend using the air-con if and when needed during winter or summer in the future when repaired

The car has been driven regularly during lockdown

Air-con specialist quoted for Denso parts as they advised cheaper parts on the market may not last as long.
 
#6 ·
AH! Thanks - that makes more sense now! (y) Not an MOT issue (I was wondering how it could be?)

Generally best to use the air con daily - to keep all the seals and components working properly. Minimal impact on fuel consumption with modern, efficient systems. Although several in here say they've noticed a small impact. I can't detect any on the four cars I have available currently with air con fitted.

Sounds like your air con specialist is on the right track and giving sound advice at least. I suspect Denso is where VW get their compressors from in the main. Worth using them if you intend keeping the car more than 12-months.
 
#12 ·
I had a failed compressor and it cost around £500 for the pet independent to replace and regas.

It's quite well packed in there, so not the easiest thing to get to.

Spag.
 
#13 ·
Perhaps the air con specialist has not actually seen the car in the flesh yet, for an accurate diagnosis, but is quoting over the phone for worst case possible scenarios?

Yes - there were problems with cars from the 2009-2014 (very “ish” dates, could be earlier?) with the central compressor pulley bolt loosening itself during operation. Common right across the entire VAG ranges, not just Yeti, or even Skoda. But that mostly meant the pulley rattled on the shaft, and/or failed to engage. In majority of cases the cure was simply 10 seconds with a 16mm (from memory) socket on the offending bolt head. Worst case shaft damaged, so new compressor needed. Rather than worst worst case of a compressor that has disintegrated internally and distributed bits of itself throughout the system, including the condenser (radiator in front of the main engine cooling rad and intercooler).
 
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#14 ·
Air-con specialist looked at the Yeti, when I first requested a possible re-gas. He then provided me with 2 written quotes £490 and £920 as previously described, but wasn't sure if the higher cost would apply until he started the work.

So I asked if it was possible to take the system apart and check if it was clogged up or not before commencing the work. He has quote £80 for this.

When I originally purchased the car I took out an extended warranty from the independent dealer that covered the air-con, but sadly this expired in January and I decided not to renew it. If only I had!
 
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