TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Jul 12, 2005 1:13 pm

I just bought my 85 westy last month. Been fixing one thing after another :-)

had the ac compressor and dryer replaced. dye checked system. also replaced the radiator and radiator fan same time.

now when AC is on, gets a HORRIBLE vibration humm from about 1000-2000 RPM. Noise completely goes away with AC off.

Appears to be coming from the rear. Tried revving the engine with the decklid off and no noise.

HELP

thx

tommy

Tue Jul 12, 2005 1:33 pm

Two things. The internal blower on the AC or the compressor....
You need to get the unit running. Pop the rear hatch.

Bring the R's up and see where the noise is coming from. I have a 84 with factory air, the front got banged prior to me getting ahold of it. The front radiator fan on HIGH makes all sorts of noises....

I will one of these days get a replacement fan and shrowd.

Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:36 pm

the AC blower motor (in the back top) makes funky noises when hitting bumps. standing still it's okay.

it's weird, I can't make the compressor make noise from the back.

will have wife rev the engine and start crawling around underneath.

Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:38 pm

There is a blower motor back there in the rear. Take that plastic cover off both at the evaporator which is in the very rear, and look carefully at the blower motors....

bet either one is loose or maybe one of the plastic fins is broken which causes the fan to be wayyyyyy out of balance....

Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:05 pm

There is a foam seal that goes between the black fan housing and the brown/grey(year) vent cover. Mine had rotted away and allowed things to vibrate when the blower ran. I also took the time to put some silicon in a few gaps that seemed to be causing a ruckus when the blower ran.

Wed Jul 13, 2005 10:15 am

this noise is hard to describe. the whole car groans. you can hear and feel it. Almost feels like power steering, but my PO swapped the power steering rack for a manual one.

from about 1000 to 2300 RPM only. has to be related to ac, noise independent of blower fan speed. noise cycles with turning ac on / off.

right now focusing on the brake line that is leaking like crazy!!

thx for replies

Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:33 pm

vwman17@yahoo.com wrote:
from about 1000 to 2300 RPM only. has to be related to ac, noise independent of blower fan speed. noise cycles with turning ac on / off.

Fix the brakes first, they're cheaper than fenders.

Could it be a low AC charge? Excessive bubbles making noise? What about the compressor mounting? There are about 17 bolts that hold the compressor in place, and usually 13 work their way loose :lol: :lol:

Did you say 1.9 or 2.1? My belt on the 1.9 use to biotch slap the cooling hose, 'bout wore it through once.

Good luck, enjoy the dehumidified air.

Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:40 pm

The compressor is held in place by four bolts. Two allen types on the right and two 13mm on the left, which one substitutes as the adjustment

wondering if the compressor is loose was my question also :?:

Wed Jul 13, 2005 10:20 pm

That was my attempt at humor. There are also the three(?) large bolts that hold the cast aluminum bracket in place and the lower pivot bolt.

Thu Jul 14, 2005 10:56 am

okay, took it back to my ac mechanic. he looked up in alldata and says there is a VW bullentin out about this. It says that some vans have noise coming from the high pressure hose vibrating up near the radiator. the fix is to drop the radiator and put a rubber grommet around the high pressure hose. It is supposed to help, but not completely cure it.

the noise is not coming from the compressor. Had my wife revving the engine and I went all around it. It is coming from the radiator / spare tire area.

Thu Jul 14, 2005 10:57 am

just wanted to thank everyone for responding to all of my recent posts. just bought my 85 westy in the beginning of june. my first water cooled vw. my first bus. lots of questions.

I've always had bugs.. right now working on a 56 ragtop

tommy :-)