robocam Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 When the compressor cycles on, I can hear the refrigerant flowing at idle. The sound is like a quiet high pitched squealing. My wife said it sounded like water. The Lexus salesman and service adviser couldn't hear it. Anyone know if this is a common issue and if it's normal? It is annoying. I expect the car to be perfectly quiet during idle. If I turn off the A/C, the noise goes away. It comes right back when the compressor cycles on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sedanman Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 When the compressor cycles on, I can hear the refrigerant flowing at idle. The sound is like a quiet high pitched squealing. My wife said it sounded like water. The Lexus salesman and service adviser couldn't hear it. Anyone know if this is a common issue and if it's normal? It is annoying. I expect the car to be perfectly quiet during idle. If I turn off the A/C, the noise goes away. It comes right back when the compressor cycles on. I can also hear refrigerant flowing when I am stopped in my 2004 LS430. I was concerned when I first got the car about a year ago, but it does not seem to affect anything; it is just a little annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousB Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Never heard it in my '04 LS430. Not sure its a problem anyway. Refrigerant is compressed into a liquid by the compressor. It does through a metering valve inside the car (picture an atomizing spray bottle in your mind) and this then feeds the evaporator. Its is the conversion from liquid to gas that creates the cooling (or absorption of heat) that goes on in the car (behind the dash in the blower box). You might just be hearing the gas atomizing at the metering valve of the evaporator coil. Maybe you should turn up the radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robocam Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 I wonder if the orifice is clogged or if the refrigerant charge is low. Can the Lexus guys check this out or should I take it to an A/C shop? This is actually occurring on a car that I'm considering to buy. An 01 LS430 with 97k miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousB Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Dealers know how to look at this. They have specific training for Lexus and their particular AC implementation. If the car is being sold by dealer though it may not be most objective review. Maybe negotiate an extra warranty on AC only to get resolution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robocam Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 I'd bring it to another Lexus dealer to have it checked. It comes with a 2 month comprehensive warranty that covers the A/C system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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