A/C compressor blew up this weekend

[CO AVANT]

Driving down the road at 70 when I hear a pop and all of a sudden I see a white looking color billowing out the back of the car like crazy and all of a sudden my car shuts down. My thoughts were, great I blew my engine again at 1500 miles. Stop the car and look around and see a greyish fluid caked in metal all over the drivers side engine compartment. Since I could not see the green color from the freon I thought I had blown a rod through the block or something. Get towed home and started working on the problem. The serpentine belt wheel on the compressor seized frozen so the serpentine belt would not spin which is why my engine shut down. There was zero pressure in my ac system so that crap got everywhere when it popped. Of course my warranty ended 3 months ago so I get to pay for another compressor. Could not find one anywhere for under $595 new (discountacparts.com). Audi wanted $790. Anyone had a compressor go on them before? Compressor only had 52K on it. Would buy a used one but didn't feel like finding one at a salvage yard. Engine is still okay from what I can see. Timing spot on, intake valves and piston tops look fine, etc. Started up the car without the serpentine belt on it it sounded fine. I tell ya, it never ends with this car... damn money pit is what it is

Clint, the B5 compressors are different than 03+ B6 compressors... thanks for the heads up though, much appreciated.

[Maverick]

lol, I like the Clint saying at the end.
is sucks to have this happen. Ebay has no luck there? they sell a lot of that stuff

[CO AVANT]

lol, I like the Clint saying at the end.
is sucks to have this happen. Ebay has no luck there? they sell a lot of that stuff

No I actually talked with Clint on the phone after it happened and he said he could get one off a junk yard B5 for next to nothing. But even if we didn't talk I'm sure he would have brought it up first thing on this thread Something about buying an ac compressor used off ebay doesn't sit well with me. Seems there are also different model compressors through the B6 chassis for some reason so I wanted to make sure I ordered the right one.

[dougyfresh]

Clint, the B5 compressors are different than 03+ B6 compressors... thanks for the heads up though, much appreciated.

Yeah, Just like the Audi TT 225HP compressor. Wish that fit for I'd just mail it over to you and call it a day.



"I know your car is in pieces, Go outside and see if the compressor wheel spins freely." Haha. That is twice now from two different people in the past month. The other was "What size is that bolt that holds on the coolant line?". Good times. Oh, and I would have called back earlier but I was preoccupied by my date.



So glad to hear its not the engine!

[CO AVANT]

Glad you had your engine apart Doug lol The TT compressor is much cheaper. I think 02's have different compressors than late '03's too. Not sure what the difference would be? Bob called me back today, he almost had a heart attack from the first message I left him Saturday lol...

First date? PIITB?

[dougyfresh]

Glad you had your engine apart Doug lol The TT compressor is much cheaper. I think 02's have different compressors than late '03's too. Not sure what the difference would be?

The TT compressor physically looks different and bolts to the engine differently. I took it outside yesterday and compared it to mine for kicks. The TT power steering pump and alternator are the same way. Wish they would work for I have all of them sitting in my basement. Although, I also have the bracket they bolt to so someone could to a full conversion if they wanted.

Naturally. Lots of minor differences between the 2002 A4 and the 2003+ B6 A4


No, 4th or 5th. I'm not counting.

[CO AVANT]

No, 4th or 5th.

you have now gone too far, you now have a girlfriend j/k man, good stuff. Got me a new one too. This one is a giver

[A4ringedONE8T]

Damn, bet you almost shit yourself!

Did you get an ac compressor, if not shoot me a PM, Ill help ya out

EDIT, DAMN that thing is expensive, $595 is a good deal

[CO AVANT]

Damn, bet you almost shit yourself!

Did you get an ac compressor, if not shoot me a PM, Ill help ya out

No I almost cried instead lol. I ordered one already but can cancel my order if you got something better up your sleeves? pm sent.

[Redgoat]

Doesnt anyone have access to WorldPac? I know there prices are (cost) are usually really low.

[A4ringedONE8T]

Doesnt anyone have access to WorldPac? I know there prices are (cost) are usually really low.

Yes and no, they arent on this part

[Redgoat]

damn thats too bad :(

[A4ringedONE8T]

Yea thats the first thing I thought, read my post ^^ and then the edit, edit meaning went to check WP and came back. $795 retail and $675 my cost

[CO AVANT]

I'll keep you in mind for future oem purchases. Thanks for checking for me Shawn

[A4ringedONE8T]

I'll keep you in mind for future oem purchases. Thanks for checking for me Shawn

I appreciate it! You've been to my shops site right?

[CO AVANT]

No i havent, please post or send me a link

[A4ringedONE8T]

No i havent, please post or send me a link

I can't post the link since Im not an Advertiser here but click around in my sig, you may find it

Don't have an online store, we are a bit more personable than that and would rather have a phone call or at least an email. On top of that most parts are where you can click the fastest for the least, again not really our thing. We do have some good projects though with alot going on right now. We will also be in this years Eurotuner GP with our Turbo Rabbit

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217581

[CO AVANT]

Werd

[dougyfresh]

I can't post the link since Im not an Advertiser here but click around in my sig, you may find it

Don't have an online store, we are a bit more personable than that and would rather have a phone call or at least an email. On top of that most parts are where you can click the fastest for the least, again not really our thing. We do have some good projects though with alot going on right now. We will also be in this years Eurotuner GP with our Turbo Rabbit

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217581

Yes. He was helpful in providing info to me as I started my 2.0 build.

[A4ringedONE8T]

Yes. He was helpful in providing info to me as I started my 2.0 build.

Glad I could help!

[Redgoat]

Yea thats the first thing I thought, read my post ^^ and then the edit, edit meaning went to check WP and came back. $795 retail and $675 my cost

Whoops my bad

[AudiA4_20T]

Jordan, you sure the B5 wont fit? What if I take pics of Derek's S4 one in my garage? Im sure you could mod that sucker to fit

[mtbrider]

at least it was not your motor, good luck with the fix

[diagnosticator]

The B6 A/C compressor is externally regulated by the AC control head, according to the heat transfer load on the system, and doesn't use a drive clutch, it's always driven, with the displacement variable from zero to whatever in needed. Aside from the physical fitment, the specific control setup is different from the B5.

[dougyfresh]

The B6 A/C compressor is externally regulated by the AC control head, according to the heat transfer load on the system, and doesn't use a drive clutch, it's always driven, with the displacement variable from zero to whatever in needed. Aside from the physical fitment, the specific control setup is different from the B5.

John, Is that the same for the 2001 Audi TT 225HP? In other words, the TT uses a different control logic relative to the B6 A4?

[a2gtinut]

I saw AC compress let go on brand new Benz.
Denso is a supplier to Benz.

[CO AVANT]

knowing that I should have bought remus and not an oem denso again. The remus was $80 cheaper... oh well. Should have the new one in hand today and installed tonight. BS part is that I just got my last one recharged by audi not 2 weeks ago. Just another $100 I get to spend on a recharge again. I need more monies

[CO AVANT]

I wish everything was as easy as installing the a/c while on the car. 5 bolts, serpentine belt and done! Going to take apart my old ac unit and see what all failed. Shake it around and it sounds like a rattle can inside...

[dougyfresh]

Good deal!


I heard taking the crank bolt off with a breaker bar is just as easy

[panix73]

Sorry to hear about your troubles... If you've gone to the point of building a 2.0liter with a built head and your condenser is now busted, why not just do away with the A/C?

Given the cost to replace the condenser, I'd just do away with the A/C and put that money towards a GT30 series CHRA for that 2871.

The way I see it, when life gives you a lime, make Caipirinha.

[CO AVANT]

Sorry to hear about your troubles... If you've gone to the point of building a 2.0liter with a built head and your condenser is now busted, why not just do away with the A/C?

Given the cost to replace the condenser, I'd just do away with the A/C and put that money towards a GT30 series CHRA for that 2871.

The way I see it, when life gives you a lime, make Caipirinha.

I need to have some kind of wheel that will rotate like the wheel on the ac or else I would have to measure and find the correct size serpentine belt that's shorter if I were to run no ac. The power steering pump works off the serpentine belt too so I can't just do away with the serpentine all together.
Not going to chance running the car until I get the ac charged..... cause with my luck lately, I'd blow it up again.

[diagnosticator]

I wish everything was as easy as installing the a/c while on the car. 5 bolts, serpentine belt and done! Going to take apart my old ac unit and see what all failed. Shake it around and it sounds like a rattle can inside...

Not quite, if the system has been exposed to the ambient air for more than a few hours, the receiver/dryer unit needs to be replaced, because the desiccant inside will be saturated with water. Then, the re-closed system must be evacuated using an A/C vacuum pump to remove all air and water vapor before the R-134A is added into the system.

[Redgoat]

Not quite, if the system has been exposed to the ambient air for more than a few hours, the receiver/dryer unit needs to be replaced, because the desiccant inside will be saturated with water. Then, the re-closed system must be evacuated using an A/C vacuum pump to remove all air and water vapor before the R-134A is added into the system.

I honestly think you should get an award for most informative posts on AZ.. Seriously every post you have is extremely informative and helpful

[junkie1.8TQ]

i had my ac comp blow out at 30K.... heard a pop when it happened, but car was running fine. No cold air though.

[CO AVANT]

Not quite, if the system has been exposed to the ambient air for more than a few hours, the receiver/dryer unit needs to be replaced, because the desiccant inside will be saturated with water. Then, the re-closed system must be evacuated using an A/C vacuum pump to remove all air and water vapor before the R-134A is added into the system.

I can see why my compressor failed. Had the compressor, dryer, and rest of the system exposed to ambient air for almost a year and slap it back on and drove around for 1000 miles before I got it recharged... Got your PM. I will go to napa today and see what I can find to temporarily half ass charge the system so I can drive it down to the dealership to get evacuated and charged. I am wondering how much oil and freon was in the new compressor when I received it since the holes were plugged and fluid was in them when I unplugged them before install. Might call up the place I bought it from and ask...

So what are your thoughts on the compressor AND dryer? I mean should I go take the compressor out again and plug it until I get the dryer in or what? Or is the compressor okay to have installed as is until I get the dryer unit installed? Dryer unit is $65 on discountacparts.com and $160 at the stealership lol...

[diagnosticator]

I can see why my compressor failed. Had the compressor, dryer, and rest of the system exposed to ambient air for almost a year and slap it back on and drove around for 1000 miles before I got it recharged... Got your PM. I will go to napa today and see what I can find to temporarily half ass charge the system so I can drive it down to the dealership to get evacuated and charged. I am wondering how much oil and freon was in the new compressor when I received it since the holes were plugged and fluid was in them when I unplugged them before install. Might call up the place I bought it from and ask...

So what are your thoughts on the compressor AND dryer? I mean should I go take the compressor out again and plug it until I get the dryer in or what? Or is the compressor okay to have installed as is until I get the dryer unit installed? Dryer unit is $65 on discountacparts.com and $160 at the stealership lol...

Yeah, usually, the A/C compressor is unbolted and set aside without disconnecting the refrigerant circulation piping, keeping the system sealed.

The new receiver/drier should be installed just before the system is evactuated for the permanent recharge. The new compressor will not be affected by exposure to ambient air /moisture. It's OK to leave the new compressor installled, but you for sure need to have as much refrigerant as possible and and several fluid oz of compressor oil in the system, before driving anywhere, even as a temporary measure to get to the dealer for the final work.

[CO AVANT]

Werd. Will have the new dryer on Monday. Will install the morning of when I take it down to get recharged. Any particular oil I need for the compressor?

[dougyfresh]

Jordan, This situation sucks. I'm sorry you are going through it. Having said that, I think most of us around here would have probably done the same thing and you just happen to be the guinea pig [again].

Yeah, usually, the A/C compressor is unbolted and set aside without disconnecting the refrigerant circulation piping, keeping the system sealed.

Kind of glad I took this route when swapping my motor. That was just to avoid $100 to recharge my system. I had no idea the internals could get damaged.

[diagnosticator]

John, Is that the same for the 2001 Audi TT 225HP? In other words, the TT uses a different control logic relative to the B6 A4?

I don't know. I am not familiar with the '01 TT 225, with regards to the compressor regulation used. For example, there is the variable displacement compressor that employs the balance between suction and discharge pressure to determine the displacement of the compressor at any moment, and the suction/discharge pressures vary with how much heat is being absorbed in the evaporator core, vs. the amount of heat dumped from the refrigerant as it flows through the condenser. This type of system typically has a compressor drive clutch in the drive pulley. On the B6 A4, the compressor is constantly driven, there is no clutch in the drive pulley. The compressor has a solenoid valve driven by a PWM voltage from the A/C controller, that controls the pressure differential between the compressor suction pressure and the compressor housing or crankcase pressure. The differential pressure determines the compressor displacement at any moment, and varies to match the heat load on the system. In the case of the first system described, the suction and discharge pressures vary with heat load, with the compressor displacement reacting after the fact, to try and match the requirements of the moment. For the B6 A/C control setup, the suction and discharge pressures are constant more or less, regardless of heat load on the system. The B6 control scheme is more economical regarding drive power needs, and absorbs less engine power compared to the first setup. The '01 TT may have the B6 type externally regulated compressor, I just don't know if that is the case or not, right now. I could research the literature and find out, I just have not done that yet.

[dougyfresh]

/\
Nice comparison John. I want to say the TT compressor is the first style you mentioned (non B6 A4 style). I'll take a photo of it tonight and post it up just for your (and our) benefit to graphically see what we're referring to. A nice educational lesson so to speak. Not to mention to confirm if it is the first style compressor.

As much as the B6 A4 style compressor is more complex, I like it. I like, specifically, how it absorbs less engine power to drive the compressor. The clutch driven ones are annoying when trying to drive (a manual transmission vehicle) in traffic.