Removing magnetic coupling from compressor and refitting again — VW
Removing magnetic coupling from compressor and refitting again on VW: factory workshop procedure. Full factory text, tools and checks.
Workshop procedure for VW — the factory write-up, straight from real workshop data.
📋 Procedure
ℹ️ Torque figures below come verbatim from workshop data — always cross-check against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening.
Special tools, workshop equipment, testers, measuring instruments and auxiliary items required
3212 Two hole pin wrench
Two arm puller
Three arm puller
Depth gauge
V.A.G 1331 Torque wrench (5...50 Nm)
Notes:
It is not necessary to open the refrigerant circuit to remove and refit the magnetic clutch.
To remove the ribbed belt:
=> Workshop manual Engine, Mechanics; Repair group 13; Dismantling and assembling engine.
Workshop manual Engine, Mechanics
Dismantling and assembling engine.
On vehicles with a Diesel engine, remove the charge air cooler.
=> Workshop manual Engine, Mechanics; Repair group 21; Charging.
Workshop manual Engine, Mechanics
Charging.
Loosening and tightening hexagon nut
Tightening torque: 20 Nm
Remove hexagon nut.
Use commercially available 2 hole pin wrench 3212 -A- with a pin diameter of 4 mm to counter-hold.
Pulling off coupling plate
Release coupling plate carefully with two screwdrivers -A- and remove.
Pulling off belt pulley
Fit commercially available 2 arm puller -A- on shoulder -B- and pull off belt pulley.
Installing magnet windings
Fit magnet windings onto compressor.
Locate locking pin -C- in recess -A-.
Checking clearance
Clearance: 0.4...0.8 mm
Determining dimension "1"
Measure dimension between belt pulley -2- and coupling plate -3- with a depth gauge -1- and note dimension.
Perform measurements at three different locations. The measurements must not deviate.
Determining dimension "2"
Separate connector -A- on compressor.
Attach connector -4- to vehicle battery (terminal +) using an auxiliary cable.
Measure dimension between belt pulley -2- and coupling plate -3- with a depth gauge -1- and note dimension.
Determine clearance.
The clearance is the difference between dimension "1" and dimension "2".
Notes:
The clearance must lie within the permitted tolerances over the complete circumference.
The clearance can be measured when the compressor is installed.
If the clearance is outside the specification, remove coupling plate and adjust clearance by removing or installing spacers.
TorqFix answers live for your specific car — tell it the engine code and it serves the matching sequence, torque figures and wiring for that exact variant.
Ask about my car →Other VW procedures
- Removing engine · 41 torque figures
- Removing and installing camshaft – VW Golf Cabriolet · 47 torque figures
- Adjusting valve timing – VW Passat B5 · 83 torque figures
- Removing and installing camshafts – VW Passat B6 · 39 torque figures
- Removing and installing coolant pump · 53 torque figures
- Removing and installing front speed sensor wires
- Checking fuel delivery rate (engine codes CAWA, CAWB, CCTA, CCTB)
- Removing and installing catalytic converters with front exhaust pipe
- Removing and installing hose connection with thermostat · 1 torque figures
- Removing and installing, dismantling and assembling pinion shaft
Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.