Capacities for Audi A3 (8L_) 1997 to 2004 and Audi TT (8N_) from 1999

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 17 other vehicles, including the 2009 Audi S4, 2009 Audi A4, 2008 Audi S4, 2008 Audi RS 4, and 2008 Audi A4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Features of the refrigerant system:

Expansion valve

Receiver

Compressor from manufacturers "Sanden" or "Zexel" → 87 - Air conditioning and → Electronic Parts Catalog ETKA

Capacities Audi A3 (8L_) 1997 up to 2004

Vehicle model	Production period	Capacity in grams	Differing features of this refrigerant circuit
Audi A3	As of 08.96	750 + 50	None

NOTE:

Exclusive use was made at the start of production of "Sanden" compressors. As of model year 1999, use was also made of "Zexel" compressors → 87 - Air conditioning and → Electronic Parts Catalog ETKA.
If no condenser with a flat pipe width of 20 mm is available for Audi A3 as a replacement part, and a condenser with a flat pipe width of 16 mm is installed, only 650 + / - 20 g of refrigerant instead of 750 + 50 g may be filled in. In addition, capacity specification must be changed accordingly on sticker (to do so, please observe notes for Audi TT → here )

Capacities Audi TT (8N_) from 1999

Vehicle model	Production period	Capacity in grams	Differing features of this refrigerant circuit
Audi TT	As of 10.98 up to 10.03 (and as of 06.04 up to 08.04 )	750 + 50	Condenser with flat pipe width of 20 mm
	As of 10.03 (except 06.04 up to 08.04 )	650 + / - 20	Condenser with flat pipe width of 16 mm

NOTE:

Exclusive use was made at the start of production of "Sanden" compressors. As of model year 1999, use was also made of "Zexel" compressors → 87 - Air conditioning and → Electronic Parts Catalog ETKA.

There was a change in production for Audi TT as of 10.03 (from vehicle identification number (VIN) 8N41015239) from condenser with part no. "1J0 820 411 J" (with flat pipe width of 20 mm) to condenser with part no. " 8N0 820 411 A" (with flat pipe width of 16 mm). → here From 06.04 to 08.04, a certain number of vehicles not specified were equipped again with condensers having a flat pipe width of 20 mm.

Condensers with a flat pipe width of 16 mm require 120 g less of refrigerant than condensers with flat pipe width of 20 mm → Electronic Parts Catalog ETKA

During production period from 10.03 (vehicles as of vehicle identification no. (VIN) 8N41015239) to 06.04, a condenser with flat pipe width of 16 mm (part no. " 8N0 820 411 A" ) was installed and 750 + 50 g of refrigerant were filled into the refrigerant circuit. In addition, a sticker indicating the wrong capacity was affixed to these vehicles, i.e. 750 g (or 700 g in 06.04) instead of 650 g → here . Due to overfilling of the system, the compressor may be switched off under certain circumstances (e.g. high ambient temperatures) since the pressure in the refrigerant circuit is too high; in addition, drivers may complain about the engines performance (e.g. rumbling and buzzing sounds, the engine is heavier loaded as the compressor is working steadily against the excessive pressure). Corrective action: Drain refrigerant circuit, then refill correct capacity and replace sticker with one indicating correct capacity specification, or cross out wrong capacity specification on sticker and note correct capacity e.g. using a waterproof marker.

If condenser is replaced, observe flat pipe dimensions. If a condenser with another flat pipe dimension is installed, the sticker specifying the capacity for refrigerant R134a is also to be replaced, or the old capacity specification is to be removed and the new capacity is to be noted e.g. using a waterproof marker → Electronic Parts Catalog ETKA

Fig 1: Determining Dimensions Of Flat Pipes From Condenser

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Determining dimensions of flat pipes from condenser

Flat pipes of condenser - A -

Width of flat pipes - B -

Sticker for capacity of refrigerant R134a

Fig 2: Sticker For Capacity Of Refrigerant R134A

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

If condenser is replaced, observe flat pipe dimensions. If a condenser with different dimensions is installed, the sticker - A - specifying the capacity for refrigerant R134a is also to be replaced, or the old capacity specification is to be removed and the new capacity is to be noted e.g. using a waterproof marker → Electronic Parts Catalog ETKA