Airconditioning noise (sounds a bit sounds like an old fridge)

J

jwdorst

Member
Hi all,

I drive with the climate control (CC) on all year.

Since the weather has warmed up over here, it seems as if my airconditioning has started making noises that it didn't make before.

I'ts a kind of distant, slightly droning, continuous, but irregularly intermittent, noise that reminds me of the noise that (old) fridges make sometime as well. Something between a gurgle, a hiss and a buzz.

The noise starts immediately after starting the car and persists thereafter. So doesn't seems to be related to engine temperature or any other kind of timing.

I'm pretty sure it's related to a pumping/circulating action somewhere in the air conditioning system. Air trap? Lack of refrigerant? Air leak?

As soon as I hit the 'off' button on the CC it stops. If I then either hit the CC 'auto' button, or just start the fan, the noise immediately returns.

Airconditioning continues to operate fine so far.

I've tried to search the forum for earlier threads on this topic, but no luck.

Any ideas anyone, before I drop the car off at the local Audi dealer to have them take a look?

All input appreciated.

Thanks,
JW
 
Try altering the fan levels - this will rule out whether it's the fan or the compressor.

With the fan on low or minimum, the compressor is still working at full speed, so you should be able to tell from there.

If you know of anyone with VCDS (Vag Com) then they can run a diagnostic and see if the capacities are up to standard.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Hi Mike,

Thanks for the response. Fan setting makes no difference (other than the difference between 'on' and 'off'). So must be the compressor I guess. Next question then is, is there a mechanical problem with the compressor, or is there a problem with the system (ie pipes, pressure, refrigerant volume etc.)? Whatever it is, my understaning is that this is not going to be a D.I.Y. job anyway as specialized knowledge and equipment is required to service an air conditioning system.

Nevertheless, it would be great to go in to the dealer with some sort of knowledge beforehand.
 
You would be well advised to seek out an air con specialist, rather than an Audi dealership.

For example, when my compressor failed last year, Audi wanted £80 to diagnose the car, even though I showed them a VCDS scan,then £500 plus labour to change the compressor!

In the end, I changed the compressor myself (cost was £160 for the new unit, from Ebay) and got a specialist in to re-gas the system, for another £60.

If you are still getting cold air, then the chances are that the system is fine, but it should be looked at all the same.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Hi jwdorst
Not exactly a common problem but the pulley on the AC compressor can fail. I'm not sure if this would cause the noise but its worth checking. With the bonnet removed, listen to the compressor as an assistant clicks the 'off' button on and off.
There is more info on the pulley problem in the attached article by Ben Williamson from Audi Driver (Nov 2007)

Cheers Spike
 
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