Compressor noise...

[Slither]

I've always had a kinda growly sound from my compressor when I'm running with HVAC in defog mode. When I hit that lit button the compressor goes off and the sound goes away.

Has anybody else noticed? I thought it was belt noise due to the load of the compressor and would go away by adjusting belt tension.

Dealer says nothing wrong with belt. I've never had a car that's had such a 'growly' compressor as my V.

Does anybody elses V behave like this?

[CodeRed]

I've always had a kinda growly sound from my compressor when I'm running with HVAC in defog mode. When I hit that lit button the compressor goes off and the sound goes away.

Has anybody else noticed? I thought it was belt noise due to the laod of the compressor and would go away by adjusting belt tension.

Dealer says nothing wrong with belt. I've never had a car that's had such a 'growly' compressor as my V.

Does anybody elses V behave like this?

the only noise ive had with my AC is when i turn it from 0 to 1 it makes a slight hissing noise for a secongs then goes away other then that nothing i dont know whats up with ur versa, if dealer says its fine, let it be if somthing goes wrong your still under warrenty =\

[BBISHOPPCM]

I KNEW someone would mention this... Yes, mine sounds the same way... it's perfectly normal. My '04 Frontier had a noisy compressor as well. It's a Nissan thing... I don't understand.

[BenzTech Gone Versa]

Yes its normal,same thing here.smaller engines tend to do this.

[Ever Victorious]

I have to agree with Bishop, actually... it's more of a Nissan thing. Except for one Buru I had with a failing compressor, none of my 4-cylinder cars have ever had noisy compressors, until the V.

[Cowboys Fan 87]

I complained about the twice to my dealer and on the 3rd time they finally went out and started 3 other V's sitting on the lot and they all made the same noise. The compressor is noisy when the engine noise isn't....idle is when I notice it the most...

So, Yes, I'm in the same boat...and it is annoying.

[Slither]

I find it annoying too. It seems much worse on my V in mild damp conditions. I'm no mechanic but I'm under the impression its an adjustment thing. Belt tension or the compressor bracket alignment - that kinda of thing.

I mean for cripes sake I've even read road tests where the writer complains the V has a growly CVT. It ain't the CVT. Its La compressor - hit that lit button and it goes away. I can't believe Renault put growly compressors in the Scenic.

[BBISHOPPCM]

The "CVT" is a bit growly... because the transmission automatically shifts into the hightst ratio possible. At low speeds, after letting up on the accelertator, it shifts... lightly depress the accelerator, and you can hear it growl as the engine is under a load. This is normal

[motoguy128]

I haven't noticed anything unusual about the compressor. Maybe the Versa is just quiet enough that you actually hear it. On most cars, probably other noises (torque converter, tires, wind, engine) are louder. Remember, you only hear the loudest noises. All others are drowned out.

[kc5f]

I agree that we're probably hearing things we normally wouldn't because the car is so quiet. However, my CVT and compressor are both extremely quiet, so the only noise that bugs me is the fan. Anything above "1" I only ever use when I have the windows open, because it's too distracting. (Even "1" is noisier than I'd like, but I realize it's mostly blower noise and not the fan itself.)

[CopyChief]

I noticed the compressor noise for the first time yesterday. I can really only hear it at idle, with the blower just on "1".

I must add that, in my opinion, the blower is remarkably quiet on the Versa. It's much, much louder in my wife's car and was loud on the old compact the Versa replaced in my driveway. My test is whether or not I can hear passengers in the back seat while the A/C is on. In this car, I can. Test passed.

Like anything else, noise levels are relative. I read one review of the Versa that said "road noise is quite prevalent," and another that said the car was whisper-quiet. I guess that's why they let you take test drives!

[proxim2020]

In my truck, both the compressor and condenser fan run at the same time. So when the compressor runs, you get a noticeable thump and decent hum in the interior. Combine that with road noise, engine noise, the exhaust, intake noise, oil cooler fan, transmission cooler fan, radiator fan, and the jet engine of the blower, you'll have to speak up to hold a conversation when on the highway on a warm day. So the amount of noise in the V's interior is night and day. The small amount of noise I hear from the compressor turning on and off is very small. The blower doesn't bother me at all. Once I get up to about 3 then I have to start speaking louder. I think those coming from cars with noisy interiors appreciate the level of noise the V has.