I always let the AC stay on as I used my heater in the winter months this past year. Now when I turn my AC on I hear this sound :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo_ipHDon_8

What do you guys think it could be?
I had my belts changed and I believe it has happened after that, but I'm not too sure since my brother has been driving my car more than me.
Could it be that the mechanic needs to tighten the belt?

I let the air run for a good 3-4 minutes and it gave nothing but hot air. Before it used to be cold almost instantly.
I have 58K miles and havent changed the interior air cabin filter, could this be harming the AC system?
I don't know much about cars so sorry about the stupid questions :P

 

Is it that drum sound at the end of the vid?

Has it stopped putting out cold air all together?

Interior cabin filter would have zero affect on it.

 

Sorry, I forgot to state that. Yes it is that drum sound at the end of the video

And Yes, it has stopped putting out cold air all together

 

Could be the compresser. My mechanic said mine was starting to go, it's sounds a little weird when it runs. No drum sound though. Also have the system check for leaks, I had to have one of my hoses replaced twice. The can leak out all your fluid.

 

Would it be possible for a diagram or picture of which hoses I should check for?

 

Bigles no.

 

lol waT?

 

I'm just sayin, you knew how to deal with a busted A/C for years, maybe you can help

 

Any idea bigleman?

 

I was reading online and read that the computer will not let the clutch engage because the low pressure sensor detected a low pressure of refrigerant. Could this sound be the clutch engaging and then disengaging? Because as a previous post stated, there is a leak in some line so it doesnt have the necessary lubrication for the compressor to do its job with out getting crapped out.

 

Youve basically stated and found out the answer.

 

Seems to be somewhat common. I had a leak in one of the lines a long time ago and my AC wasn't putting out cold air either. You can also hear a whine inside the cabin when you press the AC button. Had it replaced under warranty and that was the end of it

 

Sounds like you found it. Check for leaks.

 

So plan of action
1) get the AC system filled with gas
2) Apply soapy water to every area I can find that is related to the AC line
3) PROFIT!
hah jokes.

So my compressor will be fine if I find the bad hose and replace it and get the system recharged?
Is the gas the lubricant for the compressor? Or is there an oil in there. If that oil is gone, I would need a new compressor I suppose?

 

I used to hear a whine previously, when the AC was on and the whine would get higher and higher as I accelerated more and more. This would make sense since the belt was turning faster. I thought it was because my belt was going! I was @ 58k and had not changed the belts and they are said to be changed @ 30k.

 

Could you possibly mark the hose on a picture? Any pic will do, even someone elses engine under the hood, with just an arrow or something, so I can check that first. Thanks

 

I don't have a pic but there is one in this thread 2nd page:
http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...itioner-2.html

 

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/2007_Maxima/

Go to this link, Choose ATC.pdf. page 132. Follow the "CIRCLES" for the refrigerant leak checking order.

FYI, Dealer quoted me $350. $100 for the hose, $50 for refill of R134a and $200 labor. I've filed a claim with Nissan Consumer Affairs b/c I am just over warranty.

 

If its a knocking type of noise (drumming) then its the sound of the pistons in the compressor going bad or gone. Change out the compressor and dryer mechanism at the same time. Also recommend you change out the expansion valve which could have been damaged by the bad compressor. Better safe than sorry...change all three components at the same time. When you dont replace the compressor early in its problem stage it will cause particals to be released into the system which takes out other components (expansion valves, etc...). No sense in replacing the compressor if the other components stand a chance of having been damaged. I'm not a mechanic, but if you read the blogs on the internent concerning buying replacement parts, this is always what they recommend.

 

my ac isn't working either...

 

what can i do

 

Same problem I'm having. I'm tired of going to the dealer and they say it's the pistons or the oil or the bearings so I'm just changing the compressor out totally along with the bearings, oil, and orings. That should fix it and if it doesn't at least I have warranty!

 

Being that this thread is about heating / cooling components of the car and I cannot post any new threads because of my membership "privileges", I'm going to post my question here. I've been having issues with my heating, it only gives hot air when I press the throttle. Whenever the car is idling, the air is cold and stays cold. Has anyone ever experienced this problem? What can be causing this? Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks

 

Likely an air pocket. Lift your front wheels, let her run with the rad. cap off for a while. You'll see bubbles cycling through and you should have heat at idle.