Over the weekend I had my 1998 Zxi out on a trip. After covering around 80 miles I stopped to check the front tyres and noticed that there was ticking sound comming from the A/C compressor, similar to pressure being vented/pulsed at a fast rate thru a relief valve, giving the impression of a ticking sound. I just checked it again today and the problem still exists, with the "ticking" sound appearing around 20-30 seconds after the compressor is turned on. It definately isnt a mechanical sound of tappets, as it stops as soon as the A/C is turned off.

When the A/C is set to cold, it doesnt appear to be chilling the air as it used too, and reading some of the other threads on the topic, directed me to check the sightglass on the drier, which appears to have a constant stream of bubbles perculating thru the refrigerant.

The car hasnt done many miles in the last 4 years ~ 13-14k only, and is now sitting at 41k OTC, but because of the low milage and the fact that the car can sometimes sit for weeks on end in the garage and not be used, can I safely assume that the refridgerant level is low and has depressured and I need to get it regassed ? Would this explain the ticking sound from the compressor ?

Any constructive explaination would be most welcome, before I approach an authorized dealer. I would like to be an informed combatant, before dealing with any of the main service outlets

Thanks In Advance


EDITED - Just spoken to a Mechanic at the main Mazda dealer in Aberdeen, and he recons its low on gas and the recharge is the answer. Apparently they are doing a special offer on regassing jobs too at the moment, and the usual price of £99 is reduced to £68 inc VAT. This also includes, Vaccume Purge, Regas, Drop Test (Pressure Test) and UV leak trace in the price, and they recon it will take 1 1/2 - 2 hrs to do. Not bad I thought.

Any comments or things I can check before booking the car in would be still welcome.

Regards

[color=blue]Thats a pretty good price for a main dealer, its the sort of price you'd expect to pay from an independent garage, though many of the stuff they'll do to it everyone does 'cos its a legal requirement.

Not so sure on the ticking side of it, but if it was very low on gas, the compressor wouldn't start at all, so it seems as if the system is low on gas, especially if it doesn't get very cool, all systemes discharge gas, thats why it really should be serviced each year, but its not a Mazda service point so it can be missed.

Also, even in winter it really needs to be run often, the oil within the gas can settle and there goes you're seals and protection within the system, other manufactures suggest at least 20 minutes every week to keep it in good condition.
Like everything else, it needs to be used or it won't like it.

Its the ticking that concerns me, could be low gas, or something else, but not always expensive - if you're lucky.[/color]

That price is great for a dealer. Take it if thats what they recomend.

Thanks for the feed back, The ticking/pulsing noise doesnt sound serious in my opinion, it sounds like a SRV venting off in a pulsed fashion, perhaps becasue part of the compressors safety system is siezed, due to infrequent use and or low gas pressure.

I have booked the car into the dealer for this Thursday, and will post back and let yall know what the outcome was/is, in case anyone else comes across a similar issue.

If anyone local or others prepared to travel wants the name of the dealer, please PM me and I will supply all the contact info required.

Regards

A/C System was recharged today, ticking noise has stopped, and the air is wicked cold.

The main dealer, Arnold clark, and all their franchises in Aberdeen are doing a promotion on all A/C recharges, on all makes and models of cars at the moment, not just Mazda models as perviously mentioned.

The main Mazda Franchise in Aberdeen, is at Mounthooly, Aberdeen, Tel:- 01224 627177.

The special offer includes, vaccuum purge, recharge, pressure test, UV leak detection, and oil top up if required. normal price is £90 in VAT, Promotion price is £68 inc VAT and the offer lasts till 30th September 2005.

I believe that this will be available at any Arnold Clark Outlet throughout the country not just up in Aberdeenshire.