Need my A6's AC sorted urgently – any Audi shops with quick turnaround?

[yvonnemakepeace]

I'm in a bit of a jam because my A6's air conditioning decided to give up on me completely yesterday, and with the temperatures where they are, I can't really afford to be driving around without AC for more than a day or two. The system is blowing air but it's barely cool at all, and I've already tried recharging it myself with one of those DIY kits from the auto shop, which did absolutely nothing, so I'm pretty sure it's something more serious like a compressor issue or maybe a leak somewhere in the system. The thing is, I've got a packed schedule this week with work commitments and I really can't be without my car for days while a workshop takes their time diagnosing and fixing the problem. I've been calling around and most places are telling me they're booked out for at least a week, which is just not going to work for me. I'm hoping to find a workshop that can actually get me in quickly and sort this out without unnecessary delays. I've heard that there are places that offer a Same-day Audi Workshop in Abu Dhabi and they can often turn around AC repairs within a few hours if they have the parts in stock. Has anyone here had AC work done on their Audi quickly and can recommend a place that actually delivers on fast turnaround times without compromising on quality? I'm starting to get desperate.

[gracefulwebb]

DIY can recharges do nothing when the system is already leaking, and if it's overfilled it actually cools worse. Ask a shop to recover the gas, pull a vacuum, and see if it holds. That one test tells you whether it's a leak or a component failure.

[graciaweekley]

Had the same on my A6 last July, barely cool and then warm. It was the condenser, packed with sand and pitted from stone hits, not the compressor. Called a shop at 8am, offered to wait, and it was done by mid-afternoon, so don't give up on same-day.

[gracielaweightman]

Be careful with any shop that says "it's the compressor" before running a leak test or reading pressures. Compressors cost serious money and half the time it's a leaking condenser or a cheap pressure sensor. Ask them to show you the gauge readings before you approve anything.

[gratianaweir]

Check whether the compressor clutch engages when the AC is switched on. If it never clicks in, it could be a low-pressure cutout from a leak, a blown fuse, or a bad pressure sensor. Also have them look at the expansion valve and the cabin filter, since a blocked filter kills airflow on these.

[haganwelsford]

What year is the A6, and does the air get cold for a minute after startup then fade, or is it lukewarm from the beginning? Also, how much of that DIY can did you put in, since some kits contain sealant that can clog things up?