Removing and installing air conditioner compressor - vehicles with 6-cyl. FSI engine — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Fits: Audi A8 D4 (4H, 2010–2017)

• Opens: refrigerant (A/C)
• Also covered elsewhere: Electronic parts catalogue

Don't miss

• Mark direction of poly V-belt (A).
• The refrigerant lines are detached from above.
• If aluminium bolts have been used to secure the air conditioner compressor, (different versions Electronic parts catalogue), renew the aluminium bolts (do not re-use). Tightening torque for aluminium bolts 8 Nm +180°.
• Before fitting poly V-belt, turn air conditioner compressor 10 times via pulley in direction of rotation (to prevent damage to compressor on initial activation).

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 Procedure

1. Switch off ignition.
2. Discharge refrigerant circuit Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a87Refrigerant circuit.
3. Remove noise insulation at front General body repairs, exterior66Noise insulation; Removing and installing noise insulation.
4. Mark direction of poly V-belt (A).
5. Detach poly V-belt (A).

6. If fitted, clamp off supply line for power steering pump (B) using hose clamps up to 25 mm3094 and disconnect Running gear, axles, steering48Hydraulic power steering; Exploded view - power steering pump. [Note: This and the following illustrations show the layout of the components on a vehicle with power steering pump. The illustrations for vehicles with electromechanical power steering (without power steering pump) are different.Depending on the production period, the vehicle may be equipped with a power steering pump or with electromechanical power steering. Electromechanical power steering was introduced gradually from model year 2014 onwards Electronic parts catalogue.]
7. If fitted, detach pressure line (C) for power steering pump (B)Running gear, axles, steering48Hydraulic power steering; Exploded view - power steering pump. [Note: When swivelling the pressure pipe to the side, take care not to bend, kink or strain the pipe to the power steering pump.Do not detach the power steering pump (B) from the bracket to remove the air conditioner compressor.If fitted, the pressure line to the power steering pump (C) (see illustration above) is attached to the air conditioner compressor via the bracket with the securing bolt (C) (see illustration below).]
8. Detach refrigerant lines from air conditioner compressor Detaching and attaching refrigerant lines on air conditioner compressor - vehicles with 6-cyl. engine. [Note: The refrigerant lines are detached from above.]
9. Unplug electrical connector (A).
10. Remove bolt (B) (Tightening torque for steel bolts: 25 Nm). [Note: Bolt (C) (tightening torque of steel bolts: 25 Nm) was already removed when the pressure pipe to the power steering pump was detached.This illustration shows the air conditioner compressor in a vehicle with a continued coolant circulation pump V51 (not fitted with all versions). Depending on the rest of the vehicle equipment, it may be necessary to discharge the coolant and remove the V51 before removing the air conditioner compressor (for description of discharging coolant and removing V51, refer to 19Coolant pump/coolant regulator unit; Exploded view - electrical coolant pump).If aluminium bolts have been used to secure the air conditioner compressor, (different versions Electronic parts catalogue), renew the aluminium bolts (do not re-use). Tightening torque for aluminium bolts 8 Nm +180°.There is an opening (C) in the subframe (A) for loosening the rear bolt (B).] — 25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
11. Detach bracket (D).
12. Remove bolt (E) (tightening torque of steel bolts: 25 Nm). [Note: If aluminium bolts have been used to secure the air conditioner compressor, (different versions Electronic parts catalogue), renew the aluminium bolts (do not re-use). Tightening torque for aluminium bolts 8 Nm +180°.] — 25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
13. Unfasten the air conditioner compressor (F) from the holder, pull forwards and swivel out upwards. [Note: When it is removed, the air conditioner compressor contains an indeterminate amount of refrigerant oil. For this reason it is important to observe the notes on renewing the compressor Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a87General information on air conditioner.]
14. Before securing the air conditioner compressor, check the position of both dowel sleeves (A) in the bracket or the compressor (B). [Note: There are different versions of the dowel sleeves (A) (different length); for correct version refer to Electronic parts catalogue.Make sure that bushes (A) are correctly positioned and contact surfaces are clean. If the bushes are not installed correctly or the contact surfaces (C) at the bracket or air conditioner compressor are dirty or damaged, this could lead to misalignment between the air conditioner compressor and the engine. After a period of operation, misalignment can cause damage to the poly V-belt or the air conditioner compressor.]
15. Before fitting poly V-belt, turn air conditioner compressor 10 times via pulley in direction of rotation (to prevent damage to compressor on initial activation).
16. Install pressure pipe to power steering pump Running gear, axles, steering48Hydraulic power steering; Exploded view - power steering pump.
17. Place poly V-belt (A) in position 13Cylinder block, pulley end; Removing and installing poly V-belt.
18. Attach refrigerant lines to air conditioner compressor Detaching and attaching refrigerant lines on air conditioner compressor - vehicles with 6-cyl. engine. [Note: Lubricate O-rings lightly with refrigerant oil before fitting Refrigerant circuit seals.Cranking prevents damage to the air conditioner compressor, which could be caused by refrigerant oil in the compression chamber on initial start-up of the engine.After attaching the air conditioner compressor and the refrigerant line, check the routing of the refrigerant lines. They must be inserted in the brackets provided (if fitted, depends on engine).Check that refrigerant lines and corresponding brackets have adequate clearance to other components, ensuring sufficient distance between belt, bracket and pulley.]
19. Evacuating and charging refrigerant circuit Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a87Refrigerant circuit.
20. Re-install remaining components (removed earlier).
21. Switch on ignition.
22. Interrogate event memory of operating and display unit (Climatronic control unit J255) and erase any entries displayed in "“Guided Fault Finding”" mode.
23. Start up air conditioner after charging refrigerant circuit . [Note: Also observe notes on starting up air conditioner after charging Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a87General information on air conditioner.]

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