Polo AC Troubles

[ChocolateBadger]

I'm wondering if someone with a good knowledge of vehicle AC can help me.

I have a 2005 1.4 Polo and the other day my AC died. I knew it wasn't happy for a while because it put a lot of strain on the engine and use to faintly whine. So when I was sitting at the lights one day, the AC made a loud while and stalled the engine in the process of its death. I switched the engine back on and it started no problem and idled fine but when I tried to switch on the AC, nothing. The light comes on, the engine does its little rpm adjustment thing and the radiator fan comes on (at idle) but no whine or strain or cold air .

So I don't know the workings of an AC very well but my guess is, since it is mechanical and on the belt, the pump probably seized up causing the belt to stop and stall the engine but also probably killed itself in the process as the on inception of the belt and pulleys, everything is spinning.

So that's my problem/situation. Any ideas? Sounds about right? If so what kind of costs am I looking at? Time to visit the scrap yard?

 

[BaTouSai]

Most likely the ac compressor had the same issue with my 2005 polo looking at about R8000 to R9000 for a new compressor and labour etc

 

[ChocolateBadger]

Most likely the ac compressor had the same issue with my 2005 polo looking at about R8000 to R9000 for a new compressor and labour etc

Eish I guess that may be it. Some quick research shows that it's around 10k for new compressor + flushing, labour etc.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

One of two things has happened.
1. the bearing on the pulley that runs the aircon belt has seized - this is a cheap fix so hopefully that is what it is.
2. there wasnt enough oil in the compressor and it has seized - this is the expensive one.

I have had two pulleys seize on a polo in the past, they feel like they are stressing the engine for a while before it happens, but then again so does the compressor seizing. Have you heard any "rough" sounds from the engine bay lately? like a bearing that is a bit out of sorts?

 

[ChocolateBadger]

One of two things has happened.
1. the bearing on the pulley that runs the aircon belt has seized - this is a cheap fix so hopefully that is what it is.
2. there wasnt enough oil in the compressor and it has seized - this is the expensive one.

I have had two pulleys seize on a polo in the past, they feel like they are stressing the engine for a while before it happens, but then again so does the compressor seizing. Have you heard any "rough" sounds from the engine bay lately? like a bearing that is a bit out of sorts?

Come to think about it, the engine bay did have a bit of a squeal I didn't take much notice of but I haven't heard it since the ac packed up. The compressor unit pulley does turn no problem or noise. The unit doesn't switch on when I turn on the AC though :/

 

[Lupus]

Sounds like the problem I had with my 2005 Polo, the compressor had packed in, had it refurbished for about a third of the price.
Look for guys who do that, if you're in Randburg side of the world there is a place called Polo Auto air who do this. They did mine

 

[Fox1]

Sounds like the problem I had with my 2005 Polo, the compressor had packed in, had it refurbished for about a third of the price.
Look for guys who do that, if you're in Randburg side of the world there is a place called Polo Auto air who do this. They did mine

Problem seems common enough to name the business after a particular model of car.

 

[ChocolateBadger]

Sounds like the problem I had with my 2005 Polo, the compressor had packed in, had it refurbished for about a third of the price.
Look for guys who do that, if you're in Randburg side of the world there is a place called Polo Auto air who do this. They did mine

Thanks, I'll give them a call tomorrow and see what they can do.

 

[Rouxenator]

As everyone else said - compressor fault, seeing as the AC light comes one.

I has a problem many years ago where the AC light did not even come on when you pushed the button. Turns out there is an electronic clutch that engages or disengages the compressor. If the clutch fails and it can not engage the compressor the light does not come on.