Odd noise from AC through vents - 8G Civic

[GeX]

Car has been parked up at the airport for a week, I didn't notice any issues when driving it home - but popped to the shops later on and noticed that there's a grating noise coming from the vent when the AC is enabled;

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mDwiS2Dpa2AxMZGcA can see the AC be switched on around 4 seconds, I then move the camera to the vent before turning the AC back off again.

I've not let it run for long, but it wasn't putting out cold air.

I'm guessing that noise is the compressor, and for some reason all the gas has gone and it's not getting any lubrication. If it's making noise like that, is it too late - or would a leak check and regas likely cure it?

Is there any reason this might happen if the car has been left out for a week in the blazing Manchester sun

Never had to deal with AC issues before, but my gut would be to call someone like https://www.coolcaraircon.co.uk/contact-us/manchester-north/ rather than take the car to Kwik Fit or similar

 

[Dup]

Certainly sounds like the compressor or compressor clutch. 8G Civics can have a relay issue too but it wouldn't turn on at all if that was the case.

KwikFit don't fix AC so if a re-gas fails they don't charge you and won't try find issues to fix. This was a couple years ago so do check that's not changed.

 

[RJC]

That sounds like the system is short of gas, vapour rushing through the TEV or capillary, but I would take it to a independent specialist to properly check and pressure test.

Also check the condenser, can you see any oil patches?

The LP switch should cut out the compressor for protection, shame you are not local, I could stick my gauges on and check.

 

[GeX]

Certainly sounds like the compressor or compressor clutch. 8G Civics can have a relay issue too but it wouldn't turn on at all if that was the case.

KwikFit don't fix AC so if a re-gas fails they don't charge you and won't try find issues to fix. This was a couple years ago so do check that's not changed.

There isn't any noticeable noise from the engine bay, so assumed the clutch would be OK (I'd expect a pulley bearing type noise from the area of the compressor for that). Handy to know about KwikFit - I might pop down and see if they'll regas it. I'm just a bit confused as to how it's gone from being blowing ice cold before being parked up, to low on gas .

That sounds like the system is short of gas, vapour rushing through the TEV or capillary, but I would take it to a independent specialist to properly check and pressure test.

Also check the condenser, can you see any oil patches?

The LP switch should cut out the compressor for protection, shame you are not local, I could stick my gauges on and check.

Thanks, I did wonder what other noises the system could make and why it was only noticeable through the vents. Good to know the compressor (should) have a protection against this doing any damage as when I drove back from the airport it was ~35 minutes of motorway and I didn't notice the noise but it doesn't mean it was not doing it.

I've not checked the condenser yet, I've not had chance. All had time to record that little video and then take the climate control off 'AUTO' to prevent the AC from kicking in!

 

[Dup]

Good luck getting it sorted. Will be interested to know the cost and what's broken.

Mines failed 3 times now (8G Civic). Relay, clutch spacing and now I suspect a leak as it just slowly got warmer and warmer on a long drive last year. Can't be bothered sorting it as it's becoming a job I can't DIY.

 

[mccarf]

I've owned a civic for over 2 years now and the air conditioning hasn't worked. At first I tried a regas and because of this thread I looked into a relay. I just replaced that today and it still doesn't work.

I watched this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ijMivutOe0

The "tabs" still aren't spinning for me. Does that mean I probably need a new compressor?

 

[kmax86]

Do you hear a click sound when you turn the ac on? I think that's the compressor cluctch engaging sound.

When my civic had the no cold air from ac ac issue. I do not hear any clicking sound and the tabs do not spin.

Replaced the ac compressor and the clicking sound is back and tabs are spinning and i have cold air From what ive read the clutch is the main issue rather than the compressor. You can DiY it if you are handy as there are guides online.

 

[mccarf]

Do you hear a click sound when you turn the ac on? I think that's the compressor cluctch engaging sound.

When my civic had the no cold air from ac ac issue. I do not hear any clicking sound and the tabs do not spin.

Replaced the ac compressor and the clicking sound is back and tabs are spinning and i have cold air From what ive read the clutch is the main issue rather than the compressor. You can DiY it if you are handy as there are guides online.

Nah there's no difference in noise whatsoever. So it's probably the clutch then! Thanks

 

[Relentless81]

Mine has no gas in it due to it leaking out through a hole in the rad, cant hear a click either when the aircon is switched on due to the fact there is no gas

Booked in for a new rad in 2 weeks for £200, hoping thats definitely the issue as I haven't used the guy who diagnosed it before

 

[kmax86]

Also if its any help, my AC symptoms as follows:

- It started off as intermittent cold air then slowly became ambient air.
- Tried re-gas and it was missing some gas. Worked for like 30mins and warm air is back
- When it actually blows cold air during motorway drive and come to a sudden slow / traffic. Cold air stops and becomes ambient air
- Ice forming in the AC pipes near the coolant reservoir.

Went to Honda dealer and they plugged into to their systems for error codes, nothing showed up.
Re-gas #2 and leak check from another garage. No issues found.
Finally, booked and left in another specialist. They did some UV dye tracer to find no leak.
They tried to manually engage the ac compressor clutch and found that it is not engaging (this is how they described it to me iirc)
Replaced the ac compressor and now it works.

I think it costed me around £450 for a new ac compressor and labor.

 

[GeX]

Good luck getting it sorted. Will be interested to know the cost and what's broken.

Mines failed 3 times now (8G Civic). Relay, clutch spacing and now I suspect a leak as it just slowly got warmer and warmer on a long drive last year. Can't be bothered sorting it as it's becoming a job I can't DIY.

The condenser has failed. Ballpark for replacement is £250. Just awaiting firm quote.

 

[GeX]

Condenser replaced and system regassed, all on done on the drive for £223. It's icy cold again

 

[IAmATeaf]

What you even regassed it on the drive?

 

[.:MBK:.]

Having mine fixed soon, £230 all in with condenser. Was worried the compressor may be FUBAR after not running for at least 5 years but it fired up as soon as we got enough pressure in the system when leak testing.

 

[GeX]

What you even regassed it on the drive?

Not me personally, but yes, it was done on the drive. Van was full of the correct kit to do it properly.