sptsailing
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2010
- Location
- Safety Harbor, FL
- TDI
- 2006 Jetta Manual, stock with Panzer Plate & Franko6 modified EGR cooler & CAM
A/C theory
IMHO, the VW/Sanden approach actually makes more sense the the clutch style compressors. With a clutch style, the engaged compressor operates full blast until certain temperature and/or pressure readings are obtained, then shuts off until other readings are reached, upon which the cycle repeats. The variable compressors like Sanden are much smoother in their approach, adjusting their continuous output according to demand. I would imagine, but have no supporting actual data, that variable compressors extract less net energy per btu from the engine as well.That's a very interesting picture... My Wife's 2010 TDI, with a Sanden Model 1601 compressor (VW P/N 1K0 820 859 Q), has a snap in valve with the set screw style valve, but the plunger inside it was sort of a cross between the two in the picture - it was almost identical to the one on the right in your picture, but the 'nib' on top that the spring sits on was a touch longer.
Also real interesting is the valve I ordered from Autozone was listed as being for the PXE13/PXE16 compressors (Autozone part number MT2282), but it was totally different than the one in the car. According to Sanden's website, the Model 1601 is a PXE16. Also according to their website the 2010 TDI is supposed to have a model 4573, which is also a PXE16.
The control valve that's in the car, from everything I can find, is the control valve that you'd find in a PX16 compressor, not a PXE16.
At any rate, while it was out, my friend and I took it apart and cleaned it up - there was debris inside it and the plunger definitely was sticky initially - cleaned it all up and put it back together and initially, the AC was working right. We shut it down to heat load the cabin and test how well it removed the heat, and when we turned the A/C back on - nothing. So I need to order the right part and return the wrong one.
Why couldn't they just stick to the tried and true clutch driven compressor??
Does anyone have any thoughts as to what the story is here?