Richard Curtis

Several times in the last few weeks MY97 has made a loud noise which sounds like a gas / air venting.

It happens within the first 1/2 mile of driving and usually on a hot day. I thought it may be a leaky tyre valve venting due to high pressure with the heat.

Today tho it happened at tickover when i was outside the car after just switching on the air con (cool the car b4 driving off in it).

Any ideas? Is the air con supposed to make these sorts of noises or could it be something else?

thanks

Jim Dunleavy

When the noise occurs is the aircon always on?

If so get the system checked for the correct refigerant levels.

If not it could be the blow off valve but this usually occurs after the turbo's been on boost.

What sort of noise is it? A whooshing noise or a bubbling nouse? Also check the power steering fluid level.

Richard Curtis

Jim,
I can't remember if the air-con was on every time it made this noise but it sounds like the noise made when letting air out of your tyres. I'm suspicious of the air con since i just started the car from cold and had it idling with air-con switched on.

It only lasts a fraction of a second but is quite loud.

The air con works ok but i'm just wondering if i got an occasional leak. is the gas under high pressure?

Rich

Jim Dunleavy

Yes, it's under very high pressure, but there's not a lot of it, I'd expect that if the noise is the refrigerant leaking it would soon be inoperative.