I am noticing this very low noise when A/C is on coming from the engine. It sounds like a small scooter's engine noise. Like a small 2 cycle engine. You have to pay attention under the engine noise to hear it. As I turn the A/C off it goes away so it is coming from A/C.
The noise goes up with rpm so it is attached to the rpm or engine rev. It does not change much if I am in gear or in neutral but it does vary or goes up when I rev the engine.

Any ideas wat it may be? Is it normal? My car is 5 years old and 51K so it is out of warranty.

 

TSB ITB02-056b refers to "a buzz or growl type noise from the engine area with Air Conditioner "ON", which goes away when the Air Conditioner is turned "OFF"; it calls for replacement kit 27030-AM800* which includes a new bracket, compressor, belt, water pipe and assorted bolts.

Of course I didn't know any of this when I had a problem with noise. I had grown accustomed to a normal growl but it changed pitch after 85K miles. At higher rpms it would scream for mercy. I paid the dealer $600 to replace the compressor.

 

It is a higher pitch noise something you hear from a small 2 stroke engine on the scooters you can get at pepboys etc. Kind of like the wihining noise and it varies with rpm.
A/C works ok for now and I have been noticing this for a few months.
Anything to prolong the life if it is the compressor? How can I verify it is the compressor? Anything else going wrong?

Did they also change the compressor when you got this done?

 

To be honest, my normal noise should be classified as a "whine" or "whirr" rather than a growl. Around last spring it got more pronounced and developed into a very noticeable BAD noise with aspects of "scream", "howl" and (yes) "growl". The AC always worked. The dealer replaced my condenser fan (was not problem) and compressor (was problem) - this highlights the issue that they didn't actually know what was making the noise.

It's quite possible that yours is functioning normally. If you go to a mechanic/dealership and tell them you think your compressor needs to be replaced, they'll probably replace it for you regardless.

 

Yes it is not a growl but a whine and changes with the rpm so somthing attached to the engine so possibly the compressor.

I had issues with built squeek a two years ago and took the car under warranty to the dealer and they just kept playing with belt tension it never fixed anything. i hope they did not overtighten the belts that has over time screwed up the compressor.

AC works good so I am not sure what I will lose form waiting?
Not sure anything I can do to last longer or fix it. Should I use the belt dressing you find at auto stores?

I am not really prepared to drop $600 right now

 

Edit: I found the bulletin. Scratch my request.