AC Update - It's the Clutch
 

Hey Folks,

Thanks for all the suggestions about my AC issue.

Having even less time than expertise I ended up taking the car in to a local shop.

I just got the call and they say that the AC clutch is gone, pieces lying in the under-tray. They predict $2800 (unless the compressor hasn't spewed its guts, in which case I might save $900 for not needing a new condensor). Ouch!

So I have read that someone here found a compressor with clutch on the web somewhere for a very low price ($250 or so?). Does anyone have a lead where to look for that?

Also, the recommendation of the shop is that I:
1) replace the clutch and compressor together
2) open the compressor to see if it has come apart
3) replace the condensor if the compressor disintegrated

Does that seem about right?

Finally, with the declining value of an 01 TTR225 and all that... maybe I should just look at ripping out the AC altogether to save weight. I live in Boulder and much of the year I can get by without. Have any of you gone this route with success? How did it all work out?

Any other thoughts or tacks I should take?

Thanks so much!

- Charlie

rockauto.com has a reman compressor for $500 and a condenser for $200

Clutch Alone
 

Hey EAS TTQ,

Thanks for this. When I go to their site, I don't see a compressor clutch solo, am I missing something?

Thanks!

- Charlie

I don't know offhand where you can get just the clutch without the compressor

Thanks. I'll keep looking.

I recently had my AC repaired
 

I got a new compressor, clutch, expansion valve, recharge of the AC unit and freon for $1700. That includes labor.

I took the car into an independent Audi shop.

Wouldn't have been near Boulder/Denver, would it?

Nope ... I had the work done at Long Beach Autohaus in Long Beach, Calif.

Re: I recently had my AC repaired
 

I just got a quote for the compressor+clutch+drier+recharge+labor for $1300 at a local garage. Still way too expensive in my opinion because the compressor+clutch are only $285 here:
http://www.discountacparts.com/addtocart~year~2001~make~Audi~model~TT_~modelname~ TT~part~60-01476~cnsuffix~All.asp#

Strangely the clutch only comes up at around $480 after a few google searches...

Re: I recently had my AC repaired
 

I got a new dryer too ... they also checked for leaks by inserting dye into the system. I don't think it's really an easy job to complete.