Noisy air conditioning

[Borbus]

I've had my '10 plate Mk6 GTI for a couple of months now. It probably needs some preventative maintenance done like timing chain tensioner etc., but there's only one real problem with it right now.

The air conditioning is really loud. Makes a horrible groaning sound especially noticeable when the car is at idle. Seems to be the compressor as it will be intermittent when the AC isn't doing much on a cool day. Also stops straight away when I disable AC with the button.

According to the service book the car hasn't had an aircon refresh since 2012, but could this cause bad noises?

I'm thinking either the compressor or just the clutch is shot. Is there anything I can try at home? Thinking of taking it to a local specialist soon but would be up for trying to fix it myself.

[Snoopy]

As long as its not been ran too long like that a regas will fix it otherwise you have damaged the compressor.  The noise is because the gas lubricates the pump. If its low it makes the noise and destroys the pump.
German ebay is normally the cheapest place for replacment pump if a regas does not sort it.

[Borbus]

Oh, I see. Well, no idea how long it's been running like this unfortunately. I'll be sure to keep it switched off for now until I can try a regas then.

Is it worth trying this as a DIY? Would certainly rather do that first instead of paying £80 for something that might not fix it!

[Snoopy]

Depends how much you can get a regas kit for. When I looked at DIY it wasnt much difference. I paid 70 but that was from a local garage my familys worked with for generations.  I could have got it cheaper through one of those deals loke quidco etc but went with someobe I trusted.

[Borbus]

Yeah, I've had a look and the kits are like 80 quid as well! I might still give it a go, though, as it's more convenient at home. Let's hope it won't be wasted money.

Many thanks for the help.

[Adam T7]

I’d see a specialist - if you have a leak somewhere there is little chance you will find and fix it DIY.

[Snoopy]

From my experience the machine in garages pressure tests it first for leaks. I was told by my friendly local garage if its leaking he would not bill me. its not unknown for the aircon radiator to be leaking. For the cost difference I would just let someone else do it and its unusual for me to say that.