• On switching on the AC there is a sort of hiss or metallic scraping sound for a second or two.

• Then there is sometimes a sound that is a bit like the noise of a dry bearing. This noise sometimes continues for as long as the AC is on.

• These noises are not present at all when the AC is off.

BambooShoot said:

Hello everyone.

I've started getting unusual noises when switching on the air conditioning and wonder if anyone has had anything similar or knows what's making them.

The noises can only be heard from inside the car and seem to be coming from behind the centre console.

• On switching on the AC there is a sort of hiss or metallic scraping sound for a second or two.

• Then there is sometimes a sound that is a bit like the noise of a dry bearing. This noise sometimes continues for as long as the AC is on.

• These noises are not present at all when the AC is off.

Does anyone know what could be making them, is there a valve and/or another fan that is used by the AC system?

It is still blowing cold air and maintaining a temperature that is set by the controls so I don't thin there is a leak.

Thanks in advance.

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jrkitching said:

Sounds to me like the system is starting to run low on refrigerant. All car A/C systems leak slightly over time & regassing is part of scheduled maintenance.

The oil is dissolved in the refrigerant; both will gradually be lost and both should be replaced when recharging.

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BambooShoot said:

Hello everyone.

I've started getting unusual noises when switching on the air conditioning and wonder if anyone has had anything similar or knows what's making them.

The noises can only be heard from inside the car and seem to be coming from behind the centre console.

• On switching on the AC there is a sort of hiss or metallic scraping sound for a second or two.

• Then there is sometimes a sound that is a bit like the noise of a dry bearing. This noise sometimes continues for as long as the AC is on.

• These noises are not present at all when the AC is off.

Does anyone know what could be making them, is there a valve and/or another fan that is used by the AC system?

It is still blowing cold air and maintaining a temperature that is set by the controls so I don't thin there is a leak.

Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

Iorek said:

Does the noise go away if you use a different speed on the fan?

Does the noise sound like a cricket?

If so then it is the fan/blower motor.

Quick fix :- Remove it, clean it and spray some WD40

Expensive fix :- Replace the motor

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Stu DemonD said:

I just had mine regassed a few weeks back, local guy in the village - £35 all in

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Wee Smurf said:

Glad I don't have aircon, lol.

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BambooShoot said:

Hi

A quick update

I had the air-con re-gassed, it had lost nearly two-thirds!

The noises have gone, as suggested by 8jlogan it seems that the hissing sound was coming from the expansion valve. I did read that when the gas level drops the expansion valve does make this kind of noise.

Had the re-gas done by a garage in the next village, very pleased with the service provided.

Cheers

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Most Easterly Pandas said:

Bargain, best I've found it here is £40 local family place, shopping around F1 Auto Centres was £42, Kwik Fit £49 and everywhere else was upwards of £60-£70

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jrkitching said:

Depends what they actually do.

Proper regassing means vacuuming out all remaining refrigerant, testing for leaks and replacing correctly measured amounts of refrigerant & lubricant.

Then there are the folks who just turn the A/C on fully & add refrigerant to the system through the LP valve to bring the pressure up.

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Most Easterly Pandas said:

If they're using the correct machine it should do all of those checks anyway.

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