Noisy air con

[Gazdkw]

I'm pretty sure this is a popular topic so I apologise for yet another post. However, I need help with it as I'm not sure what the common problem is.

As soon as the air con is turned on I get a fairly loud whine noise which changes pitch in relation to how the engine revs. The higher the revs, the higher the whine. Almost like when a turbo goes but not as loud.

Any ideas?

[Dippydog]

I'd say it sounds like the compressor.When the a/c is off the pulley "freewheels" but when turned on the pulley is pulled into engagement to drive the compressor.Pop the bonnet and with engine running and a/c on have a listen to see if the whine is coming from this area.

[Kev0607]

I have the exact same noise on my car. Other posts suggest the air con gas may be low?

[Gazdkw]

The air seems pretty cold. I'd be surprised if the gas was low

[Model flyer]

Originally Posted by Gazdkw

The air seems pretty cold. I'd be surprised if the gas was low

It may seem pretty cold but it is winter. In summer it will, if its low on gas be only a bit cooler. All cars loose refrigerant gas over time , some quicker than others. The whining is caused by cavitation in the pump . If left you could end up whit a damaged pump and whine will be permanent .

Get a air con specialist to re-gas it properly and dont trust Halfords quick top up. It needs to be properly emptied and vacuum tested then refilled with gas and fresh oil . It will then be apparent how inefficient its been and be really cold!

[seanc]

Mine developed a pulsating whine when it was low on gas. It wasn't constant. Re-gas sorted it. Yours may be low so worth trying first. Don't forget the "re-gas" also contains lubricating oils.

[Model flyer]

I forgot to mention that if the compressor bearing are worn then re-gassing wont stop the whine . Fingers crossed they are OK .

Couldn't edit my previous post for some reason ? hence another post .
Good luck .

[Pinchcliff]

Had the same whine on mine, re-gassing did the trick.

[Kev0607]

I think I'll get mine re-gassed to see if that stops the noise, as I have the same issue as the original poster. I don't need air con too much now though!

[Tatsfield]

Do not kid yourself that because it's cold weather that you do not need the aircon. The climate control system assumes that the aircon is working and if it isn't you will get extra condensation in the car which a working aircon would have extracted. The aircon is designed and intended to run all the year round. For those who deliberately turn it off to save fuel consumption, you may find that it fails more quickly when you do use it and all your savings will go into replacing it.