A/C problems
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
A/C problems
Last year my air conditioning started acting up. I got cool air from the right center vents, but hot air from the side vent and the center vent closest to the driver. My local shop filled the refrigerant, and the system worked again.
This spring, it happened again. I took the car (1998 A8 Quattro 4.2) to a specialty A/C shop. They diagnosed the condenser as leaking, and replaced it and refilled the refrigerant. Now after a few months, the same symptoms returned. They now claim the compressor is also leaking and needs to be replaced. They said it will be over $800 to fix. The car has over 165,000 miles, and I am just not sure it is worth it...
Does anyone have a reliable place to get a remanufactured compressor? Would anyone recommend fixing it with that kind of mileage on the car? Also, I saw a compressor on e-bay that the advertiser said fit A6's AND A8's. I suspect this might be true, as my old shop used to put A4 brake pads on the rear wheels, claiming they are the same as the A8, but Audi re-labels them as A8 and charges more. I never had a problem with those brake pads.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated...
This spring, it happened again. I took the car (1998 A8 Quattro 4.2) to a specialty A/C shop. They diagnosed the condenser as leaking, and replaced it and refilled the refrigerant. Now after a few months, the same symptoms returned. They now claim the compressor is also leaking and needs to be replaced. They said it will be over $800 to fix. The car has over 165,000 miles, and I am just not sure it is worth it...
Does anyone have a reliable place to get a remanufactured compressor? Would anyone recommend fixing it with that kind of mileage on the car? Also, I saw a compressor on e-bay that the advertiser said fit A6's AND A8's. I suspect this might be true, as my old shop used to put A4 brake pads on the rear wheels, claiming they are the same as the A8, but Audi re-labels them as A8 and charges more. I never had a problem with those brake pads.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated...
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 19,020
Likes: 209
From: Wilbur by the Sea
Just recharge it and be done with it
You could recharge it about 8 times for the cost of a compressor replacement.
Forget it! Have them put so kind of stop leak in it.
I bet it's from the evaporator o-rings where they can't see them.
Mine does the same thing, but the charge has lasted almost a year this time.
Forget it! Have them put so kind of stop leak in it.
I bet it's from the evaporator o-rings where they can't see them.
Mine does the same thing, but the charge has lasted almost a year this time.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Re: A/C problems - UPDATE
I took the car in for a recharge this morning. The shop does not use stop leak products. I watched them vacuum the system and recharge it. (Not according to the link PaulW posted either). After they were done still only cool air, not cold, and hot from the left vents.
I did find that by decreasing the fan speed, the left side air got a little cooler. I found a compressor on e-bay that claims to be compatible, and for about half the going cost...just not sure its worth pumping more money into fixing this...
I did find that by decreasing the fan speed, the left side air got a little cooler. I found a compressor on e-bay that claims to be compatible, and for about half the going cost...just not sure its worth pumping more money into fixing this...
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Re: A/C problems
I'm experiencing a similar problem (cold on the right warm on the left) with my 1998 A8.
Did you notice a kind of sickly sweet smell? I thought that a critter (mouse?) of some kind had gotten into the unit and was blocking the hot/cold air flap. Now that I read your thread I think it might be a failed component.
Did you notice a kind of sickly sweet smell? I thought that a critter (mouse?) of some kind had gotten into the unit and was blocking the hot/cold air flap. Now that I read your thread I think it might be a failed component.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
NewAudiGuy
A8 / S8 (D2 Platform) Discussion
5
Jul 28, 2007 11:07 AM
QuattroCakes
Audi 90 / 80 / Coupe quattro / Cabriolet
1
Apr 11, 2005 03:43 PM
