Grumbling Air-Con

[hashluck]

Gransport - Noticed sat in traffic today a 'grumbling' noise that seems directly attributable to the air-con compressor in that it disappeared if I turned the climate control off or pressed the 'Econ' button.

Can I assume it is a noise of some impending doom, bearings or something, or is such a noise expected to some extent?

 

[Oneball]

There shouldn’t be any discernible noise from the compressor either off or on and especially when sitting inside.

Worst case and I think most likely is that the compressor is on its way out but it maybe that the belt tensioner is bad and the extra load from the compressor being on is causing the noise but that’s pretty unlikely.

 

[CatmanV2]

Probably bearings I'd have thought. Tensioner will be rotating if the compressor is on or off.

C

 

[hunta]

Is it a squeaky grumble or a growly low grumble? Might be worth having the aircon gas done as a first port of call. I had strange noises from my 4200 and it stumped a few London-based specialists (under warranty). Eventually one of them regassed it out of exasperation and the problem disappeared.

 

[safrane]

As said, it could be low gas level, but the pully bearing is a known weak spot.

if it is found to be the pully you will need a new compressor. Zep on here knows a source for OEM at 1/2 the dealers price and I also understand Vauxhall use the same part with different mounting points.

Don't use it too much if it is the fault as it can sieze... I know as it happend to mine with 'slight play' noted at service time. If it jams you will be unabke to start and you loose PAS and the alternator too.

 

[hashluck]

Is it a squeaky grumble or a growly low grumble? Might be worth having the aircon gas done as a first port of call. I had strange noises from my 4200 and it stumped a few London-based specialists (under warranty). Eventually one of them regassed it out of exasperation and the problem disappeared.

It is a growly low grumble - was that the same as you?

 

[hashluck]

As said, it could be low gas level, but the pully bearing is a known weak spot.

if it is found to be the pully you will need a new compressor. Zep on here knows a source for OEM at 1/2 the dealers price and I also understand Vauxhall use the same part with different mounting points.

Don't use it too much if it is the fault as it can sieze... I know as it happend to mine with 'slight play' noted at service time. If it jams you will be unabke to start and you loose PAS and the alternator too.

It is just back from a full check at Emblem with no advisory on the bearing. I think I will leave it off and get it regassed when I can for starters until I can get it back to Emblem

Thanks all

 

[Zep]

Getting a set of gauges on it in the first instance would be a good idea - this is a good mobile AC guy rather than the usual kwik-fit monkey effort. If it is low they can pop a bit more in. I have a gauge set if you aren't too far from me.

If you have one of those infrared thermometers they taking the pressure either side of the drier (its number 10 in the pic - behind the front grille) if there is a big difference in temperature (more than 1 degree) it is blocked and needs to be changed as it is causing flow problems.

My source for compressors seems to have dried up but compressor express seem to do a good price. Sadly ofter a lot of research it seems there is no cheap alternative, which is a shame.

My old compressor used to grumble when it was very hot outside, so I changed it pre-emptively.

 

[mjheathcote]

If the bearing, sometimes spraying the area with wd40 can give a short fix and indicate a problem in that area.

 

[hunta]

It is a growly low grumble - was that the same as you?

Mine was more owl-like.

 

[Lozzer]

Mine was more owl-like.

What? Like only did it at night?