car place says i need to replace the whole compressor... true/false?

They say the valve has a bunch of debris in it, and its actually built into the compressor now so can't just replace it, need to replace the whole compressor..is this true?
2011 jetta tdi

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a 'car place'? Midas Muffler, Oil N'Go, a VW dealer, or none of the above?

Often the whole compressor does not need to e replaced. Begin reading here: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=284611
The trick is that you need to find a place that will replace the valve. VW dealers do not sell the valve - they only sell complete compressors (there is a lot more money in replacing the entire compressor.

Have Fun!

Don

a european car specialist, "Our specialty is the service, repair and maintenance of the top European vehicle makes like Audi, BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes, Porsche, Volkswagen & Volvo."

That link that JSWTDI09 provided is correct. I replaced that valve in mine 2 years ago and it has worked great. I ordered it from the place in Florida also. I did find a website where you could order direct from China for about $25 and wait a couple weeks.
It's easy to change-just drop the lower cover and it's right there. No need to remove compressor. No reason your "specialist" couldn't do it for a reasonable charge. I can see them not wanting to give a warranty on the job, but that's only fair.

The valve has debris.....what valve ? The valve in the compressor is called RCV (Refrigerant Control Valve). There is a screen on it and if there is debris in it then the compressor probably does need changed and the system flushed, and will usually need a dryer also.

But some shops will not change just the RCV because its not in the parts book. I had trouble finding a shop to change my RCV several years ago. But when I found one, it fixed my A/C. But the screen on my RCV was clean. This has been a very common problem.

I took my ex 2010 Jetta Sportwagen to VW And they wanted over $900 to replace the Compressor I had GEICO Extended warranty I had to pay 250 deductible and they were going to put. Rebuilt on it I ended up paying another 100+ to get new