Weird Sound with A/C

[joshb003]

Hey guys,

I noticed that since this past winter, sometimes my car makes a weird noise with the A/C on. It's difficult to describe, but basically when I have A/C on and I accelerate, (sometimes when I'm just cruising at constant speed too) I get an intermittent "whooshing" sound. Initially I thought it was from the engine, but then I noticed it only occurs when A/C is in use.

Has anyone noticed this before, or does anyone have an idea what it is? It's not very loud and sounds like a mixture between a "whoosh" and "white noise" from a TV.

Thanks
Josh

 

[genericmoniker]

Probably the A/C cycling on and off. Just a guess though.

 

[joshb003]

It does sound like a cycle, it's intermittent.

Is this problematic?

 

[arcxer]

The belt slipping?

A/C typically has an electromagnetic clutch which engages its pump when the A/C is on (and when it decides it's time to do some cooling).

When you switch A/C off, the clutch is disengaged (less load), the belt is not slipping and it's all quiet. Maybe the belt is worn, not tensioned correctly or something?

Sort of like hydraulic power steering which whistles when the belt is worn, but only when turning (otherwise there's no load and no belt slipping).

Just a guess -- I haven't heard the sound, so can't really tell.

 

[joshb003]

Yeah, I don't think I could record the sound, but I think that when I bring it for the next oil change I'll have them check it out. At the moment, it's not loud enough to hear unless you listen to it with the radio off. I'll try and record the sound and post it on here, but thanks for your suggestion. If the problem persists I will forward the suggestion to the service center at the dealership.

 

[genericmoniker]

I doubt with the car being this new a belt would already be slipping. My money is on A/C cycling, and no, it's not problematic. It's your cars way of saving gas while the A/C is on. (Don't need it on all the time)

 

[joshb003]

Just an update, I called up Mazda and they drove it with me so I could show them the sound. You're right it's AC cycling. None of my previous cars had that... so I immediately assumed it was malicious lol.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[jessecamp]

I just noticed today I have that sound too. Sounds like sand in a bag leaning to the right side. Once I turned the ac off it stopped. Would this be a problem later. How can I correct this matter?

 

[shaowq]

This sound is completely normal and happens in all cars with an AC unit. The AC compressor turns on and off as it cycles, the sound deadening might have been better in your other cars but that is about it...

Every Econobox that i've driven has had that whooshing sound...i can't imagine a car without that whooshing sound...

My corolla, yaris, Matrix, my sisters corolla, my 2, i don't notice it in my subi, or in my moms altima

 

[jessecamp]

i never had that sound before, is there a way to eliminate it. drain it out. something?

 

[DrWebster]

i never had that sound before, is there a way to eliminate it. drain it out. something?

Easy - don't turn the AC on. There's really no other way to get rid of that sound; it's part of the way the whole AC system is designed.