Jeep Garage  - Jeep Forum banner

Harmonic noise coming from engine...

37K views 183 replies 22 participants last post by  imaz 
#1 ·
Hi Guys

I have a 2012 GC Overland CRD and I am having a issue and I am looking for some words of advice or wisdom from anyone who possibly may have had this problem.

It is making a harmonic noise from the engine somewhere. I have only done 4000ks and I have had it back to the dealer many times in the past 5 weeks trying to solve this problem.

The noise only occurs while the vehicle is stationary in drive (not park) and is intermittent*
Only when the motor is warm
It's a harmonic noise that winds up and when it gets bad it can be that loud it vibrates through the whole car and sounds like a jet even, and can create some feedback through stero even.

The service department eventually diagnosed it as the ac compressor. They eventually replaced it however it has not fixed the problem.*It is currently at the dealership now (gold coast).

They have now told me that they possibly think it is something to do with the ac gas pressure so they have completely drained the gas and plan on re gassing it in the morning which they are hoping it will fix the problem. Failing that they think maybe the tsa (I think) value.*

I just find it hard to believe that such a horrid noise could come from a pressure problem in ac.*

I am really at the end of my teather with them and of coarse I had planned a two week trip leaving on Thursday off to carnavon gorge.

I really don't know what to do with them, persevere or take it to another dealer. (I have had many other issues with them but I keep giving them the benefit of the doubt) But most of all I just want my JEEP fixed so I can get on loving it!!!!

I have called all the other Jeep dealers in southeast Qld to see if anyone had come across this before with no luck....


Any words of advice or help would be much appreciated.*


Sean :mad:
 
See less See more
#2 ·
Hey Sean,
Click on the link below where I recorded mine making the same noise. Conclusion is that it either an overfill but more likely an underfill of the freon and the system was not purged prior to fill. Mines waiting to go in so I'd be interested if you find a fix. If it was the compressor, I would expect the noise all the time but as you say it''s only when the engine is hot. The AC compressor clicks in and out ok but far to frequently that I suspect is its struggling with pressure diff. It shakes the living daylights out of the cooling pipes that causes the vibration. Vibration in the system is normal but this is excessive. Keep in touch Mate. Fingers crossed you've found a cure.

http://jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=43990
 
#4 ·
Yes in my case.
 
#6 · (Edited)
In my case you would need to wear ear defenders & wrap a doona around your head not to hear it. More info : - took an impromptu detour to the dealer and he has re-gassed it. Good news - none, bad news it's worse than ever now audible whilst driving. A case is raised with CJD USA but is likely to result in a replaced evaporator located.....wait for it.........in the dashboard....requires ripping it out.
 
#7 ·
Thanks guys for your comments. Just picked it up they said it was fixed it was not so I went and got them and they have said that they now think it is the TXS valve faulty. They are very sure it is in the ac pipes this noise. How this has anything to do with a TXS valve I don't know. It's going to be a good couple weeks before I see this part.

Really I hope they haven't got it wrong as I am setting off on two road trip thursday.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Sean,
I've had the issue raised with Jeep for the last 2 months and touch wood, ignoring the horrific noise, the cooling works OK. I would turn up the radio and don't let it spoil your trip Mate. Thermal XV is a possiblilty. Found a youtube with similar symptoms and it was this valve. Keep me posted. I'll let you know what I get back from my dealer but might steer him to look at the TXV rather than pull out the dash.
 
#12 ·
Hey...noise now uploaded to youtube. Follow the link.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC-Kxe3jDXA&feature=youtu.be

and imagine the looks on the faces of your passengers as you get this noise every 30 seconds.....relentless. Even the CJD mechanic who installed the wrong colour trim panel in my car had a little smile to himself:mad:
 
#15 ·
Hi Glenn

We defiantly have the same noise...

No news on mine currently on two week road trip. Still waiting for TX valve.

I popped the bonnet to investigate whilst the noise was happening and apart from the obvious which was my motor cover was missing (thanks dealer) I can definately feel ac pipes rattle when the noise occurs.

Dose your dealer recommend the evaporator as well? Are they just guessing that why both parts?

It's a worry the dash having to come apart. I don't trust them. They had mine apart already for nav and broke the ac vent didn't tell me, replaced my centre console with a limited. The Only way I new was the heated wheel button was missing and upon closer look there was also other buttons missing.*
Not looking forward to the dash coming apart for that. Is the tx valve also behind dash?*

Sean
 
#17 ·
An auto AC specialist would be sure to know the problem. Of course it will cost but it may be worth it rather than have a bumbling dealer butcher you pride and joy.
 
#18 ·
Sounds like the AC compressor is slugging liquid refrigerant at cut in. A common problem in conventioal refrigeration and air conditioning systems. what actualy happens is one of two things the TX valve is over feeding in the on cycle and when the temperture is reached the compressor cuts out, the over feed refrigerant lays in the suction line in a liquid state and when the compressor cuts back in the compressor slugs liquid refrigerant. Not ideal as this will reduce the life expectancy of the compressor. Without getting to technical ask an auto AC specialist what the superheat should be.
 
#19 · (Edited)
Hi There,
I'm damn sure the system was not evacuated when the "service" guy replaced the refridgerant trying to solve the noise issue. Could moisture have the same effect? I'm contempating spending money at a reputable AC centre and asking them to look at the pressures to ascertain if it is the TXV. Does this confirm the TXV is faulty. looking for anything that saves the dash coming out. Hey, and many thanks for the heads up. I'll mention that tomorrow.
 
#20 ·
Hi Glenn,
Evacuating any refrigeration system is mandantory after it has been opened up to atmosphere as the air carries moisture in it. if moisture is present it can jam open or close the TX valve. Tell me dose it make this noise at first start up say first thing in the morning? He could have also simply overchaged the system with refrigerant also it is hard to tell what quantity is in it now, as you have to charge the system on weight not pressure.
 
#22 ·
Hi There,
Dot points on the issue as follows : -

  • Noise only occurs when engine is to temperature and the ambient temperature is greater than the temperature I'm trying to cool the cabin to eg. 24 outside - 23 inside. I suppose this is cause for the climate control to do it's job with intermittent cooling to mix with outside air?
  • The noise started after a week or so of owning the vehicle (May this year), but only occasionally, getting more frequent as the weeks passed by.
  • Never really noticed the noise when driving, more so when stopped.
  • The service guy "topped up" the system two weekas ago saying that at manufacture "they never put the right amount in".
  • From that day forward, the noise occurs every time the compressor kicks in (only when engine is warm etc as point one above), driving or stationary, is now much much worse as the "trombone" player in the dashboard has now got as trumpet player mate to take over the high notes (as posted on youtube).
  • No issues with cooling, however we did notice the auto system blowing hot air at full fan speed last weekend with the climate set to 19 degs. Had to open the windows as we were suffocating.
 
#23 ·
Ok. Sounds to me if it is overcharged. if it is overcharged and the ambient temp and the inside load is high you can get a high pressure cut out on the AC system, thus the only thing you will get is hot air blowing out of the vents as you describe what happened last weekend as the compressor has stopped on HP cut out.Eventually the high pressure subsides and auto resets the HP cut out switch when the ambient temp comes down as well as the temp inside the car.
So the system refrigerant will have to be reclaimed then evacuated then charge the system with R134A new refrigerant (NOT RECLAIMED) to single system 623.7 grams double system to 850.5 grams, this is critical. what I cant tell you is if its a single or double system. reclaimed refrigerant can have a mixture of other refrigerants as well as air in it. since the carbon tax debarcle refrigerant R134A is now around $176.00 per Kg.
 
#24 ·
So is there a slight chance its not the TXV and evaporator? Jeez, I hope so.
 
#27 · (Edited)
Yep TXV and evaporator in the worst possible place buried in the dash. I'm told I'm looking at a full strip down right to the firewall....and its really gonna come back perfect with no rattles or squeaks...Yeah!! Found other forums where novices have overfilled systems themselves causing compressor to start and stop rapidly with the same noise symptoms. Maybe grasping at straws but I might seek out an expert and ask Jeep to contibute to the cost.

EDIT, I know its against regs, but what about venting a little at a time to see if the noise stops?
 
#29 · (Edited)
I know its against regs, but what about venting a little at a time to see if the noise stops? Oh and by the way, the Jeep guy was only replacing the evaporator and not the TXV.
 
#31 ·
At nearly $200 bucks a kilo due to the carbon tax, I might sell some back to Juliar.
 
#33 ·
Yep I hear Ya. I know I'll get a rap on the knuckles for speaking politics so I'll tread carefully. As for venting, a tiny bit at a time, say a second burst?
 
#35 · (Edited)
Sorry for bugging you, car engine hot or car engine cold? There is a single port (valve) on the coldline with a leak dye warning label and a screw in valve on the hot side . Does it mattrer which one to vent from. I'm happy to give it a go. The worst that can happen (I'll wear gloves and eye protection) is too much let out, but the car is likely to go in for the TXV anyhow. If the noise stops, I'll be over the moon. I suppose the fact the noise is soooooo frequent after the guy added more refridgerant letting some out must be an improvement. Cheers Mate.
 
#36 ·
Do it on the cold line, it makes no differance what the engine is doing hot or cold but dont have it running running.
Purge in 10 second bursts then run AC and see if there is a gradual improvement.
Whilst purging use a rag to cover the escaping refrigerant & oil so it dosen't harm yourself or the paint work as it evaporates at -26C @ atmospheric pressure.
If this improves the situation it was overcharged.
 
#37 ·
My system was evacuated and regased. It did not fix the noise. That's why they now say tx valve. However I am very nervous now knowing what you's have said about it needing stripping back to firewall.

I am taking it back to the dealer I bought it from on Monday for second opinion.
 
#38 ·
Could be completely off the mark here, but if they reclaimed the refridgerant from your system, vacuumed the lines then put the exact same product they took out back in, yours might also be overfilled. I say this because mine is much much worse now more refrigerant has been added.
 
#41 ·
I would send the bill to your dealer and tell them to pay for it. They had enough tries, you are well within your right to make the pay for it. It is good news that it has been sorted out by someone with a clue.
 
#42 ·
Good news Glenn.

Exactly as Enforcer suggests, you should know send the bill along with a letter of demand to the dealer. It would seem at the end of the day that it was their incompetence and inability to perform a diagnosis that they couldnt fix this.

To CaptainJunket ... Mate, very well done. Kudos to you.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top