The air conditioning compressor drive on cars with a six-cylinder engine is carried out by a V-belt, which has an automatic tensioning mechanism.
In cars with diesel engines, the air conditioning compressor is also driven by a V-belt. The air conditioning compressor is located in cars with diesel engines on the right side of the engine above the generator (see illustration 17.0a).
The refrigerant enters the evaporator, where it again turns into a gaseous state, taking away heat. The air cooled by the evaporator is directed into the passenger compartment. From the condenser, located next to the engine cooling radiator, the refrigerant again enters the compressor. To enhance the condensation of the refrigerant, the radiator fan constantly drives air through the condenser.
In order for the air conditioner to work perfectly, the drive belt (respectively, wedge or stream) must be tensioned correctly. For more information, see "Generator".
Repairing the air conditioner, with the exception of checking the V-belt, is not possible on your own. Not all AUDI workshops can perform this repair. For this reason, air conditioner repair should be entrusted to specialized workshops.
In order for the air conditioner to work flawlessly, it should be turned on during the cold season as well. Otherwise, the sealing gaskets of the refrigerant circulation circuit dry out; they become hard and lose their sealing properties.
The refrigerant, which is a lubricant for the gaskets, evaporates. For this reason, it is recommended to turn on the air conditioner in winter together with the heater.