The AC in my car is making a hissing sound, what does that mean?

[Anonymous]

I should also mention that the AC is absolute shit and I have no idea how to fix it.

[dangerDoge]

TL;DR; It's either a leak or compressor problem.

"Refrigerant leaks: Escaping gas might be the actual problem. Leaks along copper refrigerant lines will allow gaseous refrigerant under high pressure to escape—and this is a major problem. When an air conditioner loses its refrigerant charge, it can lead to damage to the compressor that will put the entire unit in jeopardy.

Internal valve leak: The compressor valve can start to leak, causing a hissing sound. This valve controls the pressurization of the refrigerant, so this needs to be repairs ASAP.

Compressor problems: It could be that the compressor itself is malfunctioning because the pressure inside it is too high. The compressor is the most expensive part of an AC to repair, and usually it’s more cost-effective to simply replace the air conditioning system entirely. If the hissing sound you hear turns into a shrieking noise, shut down the AC and get our repair team on the phone right away."

www.raleighheatingandair.com/.../

I'd get it checked out / fixed before it causes any additional problems. Periodic hissing isn't a huge issue, but constant hissing is bad.

[NearlyNapping]

The only thing I can think of that might be described as "hissing" is a vacuum leak. I don't see how that would come from the AC itself, but maybe it can. However in some cars the vents and flaps that direct the air flow to different parts of the car are actuated by a vacuum system. So when you change the setting, it applies a vacuum to open a little door that allows air to flow through.

See if you can locate where the sound is coming from. If the sound is coming from inside the car, like under the dash, then it's probably not the AC itself.

Also try it under different conditions, like driving faster/slower, with the AC at different settings, etc. Try to pay close attention to everything you are doing with the car - that's a good idea for troubleshooting anything in the car, not just AC.

If you have a leak in the AC itself, it would discharge pretty fast and quit working altogether.

[beachflamingo]

just had a problem with mine and had it fixed last week.
You may have a leak or your compressor might be having problems. If it is the compressor, goooood freakin' luck. It is expensive. I paid $800 to get mine replaced.

[Paris13]

May have a small leak somewhere in your lines.
You may need a new compressor or New lines like High and Low Lines on the Compressor.
Go see your Mechanic, @Maiiread
Good luck. xx

[Paris13]

Thank you for the Like, dear. xx

[Hans222]

Some fan may be touching its casing. Try to listen around each air outlet to see which of them is causing the issue.
However, if you want to have it repaired it may be an expensive joke where the dashboard may need dismantling.
So if it's still working properly, maybe consider letting it in place and using it only from time to time...

[Cryostatic]

Could be a couple of things. Could be a leak in a valve or an line, or it could be that the pressure in the compressor is too high. I'd definitely recommend you shut the AC off and don't turn it back on until you can have someone who knows something about auto AC to take a look at it.

[depthcharge]

There is a snake in your air conditioner [1]

Or you may just be experiencing a technical problem such as Leaky Refrigerant Lines, Internal Valve Leak, or issues with the Compressor [2]

[1] youtube. com/watch? v=u1iGLRhHOQQ
[2] dynamichvac. net/blog/what-does-that-hissing-noise-from-my-ac-mean/

[saud1998]

The refrigerant in your system is under pressure; as such, if a leak develops, you may hear a light hissing sound as the refrigerant escapes through the leak. ... The compressor has a valve that, when leaking, can create a small hissing noise. You need a new compressor. Which is around 180 depends on your car.

[ThunderButt83]

could be just the weather temp reacting to it. or it has a leak, better get it professionally checked because depends on where the leak is could be dangerous to you, especially if its in the cabin, because r134a refrigerant is highly toxic.

[Phoenix98]

It means there is a snake in it.

Seriously though it's probably a leak of some kind.

[wankiam]

the gas has leaked out and it can only be repaired by a trained technician. will no doubt cost loads too. sorry

[Theodorable]

You might want to check to see if there is enough AC fluid in there? I forget what it's called. Find a guy to fix it for you.

[wankiam]

its a gas and can only be checked by a trained technician. i believe girls can do this as well as guys ;)

[Is8719]

Maybe the blower motor does it get louder or softer when you move the speed up or down what kind of car and year, is both heater and a. c. noise?

[Anonymous]

Your ac refrigerant is leaking the leak needs to fixed and the refrigerant refilled

[TheTruthHurtsImSorry]

There's a snake in it. They're usually attracted to snake oil. You haven't bought any recently by chance? I can sell you some more to lure them out of needed.

[Pac-Man]

It means that it feels like you are invading its territory.

Try hissing back.

[genericname85]

i mean it´s supposed to hiss a little. it´s the internal fluids boiling/condensating.

[_HimigNgKalayaan_]

Well your car is probably a snake or some sort of a reptile

[blondfrog]

Your heater is a cat.

[Decentguy]

must be something broken inside

[Fingold]

How does your car start?

[AssJacket]

Snakes, obviously.