I had a similar sound, then my a/c compressor caught on fire.


http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=152217.0

 

when you give it gas does the sound go away? then in idle come back?

 

hmm, mine started doing this on Monday. After a couple minutes it goes away though. I'll check it out tomorrow.

 

[quote author=Strato.BLUE.3 link=topic=157348.msg3347831#msg3347831 date=1254325516]
when you give it gas does the sound go away? then in idle come back?
[/quote]

Yes, it get significantly less severe at higher RPM. There is still a little coarseness, but not nearly as loud as it is at idle.

3driverPA, I hope it isn't the AC compressor issue! What did that cost to fix?

dugger8, when the problem first started it would go away quickly, now I would say it makes the noise 50% of the time at idle.

 

Fix it??? lol haven't even gone there yet. Im debating taking the whole system out. Depends on how much it cost to replace the compressor clutch.

 

I'll probably cut my belt off tomorrow. I've got a buddy looking at AC compressors from his salvage yards for me. If they are cheap I'll pick one up. I'll also look into the clutch repair as well. I'm sure that my crank pulley bolt leaking oil all over it didn't help.

 

Thanks dugger_8, I would be super interested to hear what you find out.

I'm in a real situation here because I have to drive from Virginia to Connecticut this week because I'm getting married, and I don't want to drive it if the compressor is indeed going out. But it is my only means of transportation. I have an appointment with the dealer to look at it tomorrow, so I'll let you know what they say. I'm afraid it will be one of those moments where it runs just fine with no noise.

I'll try to take a video tomorrow morning when it is cold and show you what I'm talking about.

 

So remember how I said my car makes that noise like 50% of the time? Well, I had my service appointment at Lynchburg Mazda today and my car was running like a top, no noise whatsoever. So frustrating. The service manager said to bring it back another day when it was making the noise, but I'm heading out of town so I guess I will have to cross my fingers and hope for the best. I'll keep you all posted.

dugger_8, I'm still super interested in what you will find today. Keep me posted.

 

Is the sound at all affect by the a/c being off or on?

 

Remember when ever the vent AREN'T set to head or head &feet the a/c system IS ON whether the button is lit or not.

 

[quote author=3driverPA link=topic=157348.msg3349862#msg3349862 date=1254424077]
Remember when ever the vent AREN'T set to head or head &feet the a/c system IS ON whether the button is lit or not.
[/quote]

I've tried it both ways, with the air on fully blast and with everything off and the vent set to the head position. It still makes the noise irregardless. That is the only thing that makes me hope it is an idler bearing for the serpentine and not the AC compressor.

I hate having other people look at my car, but I don't have the time right now to take it apart since I'm preparing for the wedding. I just hope it holds in there for the next two weeks so I can take it apart myself and do it right. This is so frustrating it had me looking at 2010 hatches while I was at the dealership. There was a very sweet black MS3 sitting there for $23,895.

 

I'm picking up a compressor for $50 so i'll fix my oil leak and slap on the new compressor. I'm positive it was the oil leaking on it that caused it to crap on me. The sound gets a little worse, not much, when I turn the AC on. When I turn if off it gets a little better. I usually don't even use the AC, this has been the first year I've really used it since my son was born and he's usually in my car.

I didn't cut the belt off yet, I'm going to do these repairs first and go from there. I'll see how it goes after my tail of the dragon trip this weekend.

 

any word on you a-pillar pod?

 

nope.

 

[quote author=dugger_8 link=topic=157348.msg3350195#msg3350195 date=1254437203]
nope.
[/quote]


on it. check your paypal for tracking.

 

Here is a question for you guys. Since I have a non-optional roadtrip coming up, should I take the belt off the AC compressor? How hard is that to do? Any tips or comments would be helpful.

 

You could either cut it off, as they;re not expensive to replace or you have to loosen the bolts on the a/c compressor and slip it off that way.

 

[quote author=3driverPA link=topic=157348.msg3352377#msg3352377 date=1254582467]
You could either cut it off, as they;re not expensive to replace or you have to loosen the bolts on the a/c compressor and slip it off that way.
[/quote]

+2

 

Mine seems to be holding up pretty well. I didn't catch on fire at the tail of the dragon and skyway. I'll be getting fixed soon though.

 

I've got this same problem....when I start my car there's a loud ticking sound....but after a while it goes away and like mentioned when I brake it seems to be rough idling? is it really the ac compressor?

 

Well guys, I know what the problem was. I drove my car from Virginia to Connecticut for my wedding and when I got there the car broke down the day before my wedding. I heard a super loud rattling noise and then a pop. The far inside idler pulley had exploded and broke the serpentine belt.

Since I was out of town and didn't have the time, tools, or facilities to fix the car I took it to Whaling City Ford/Mazda in New London, CT and left the car for the duration of my honeymoon. $500 later I have a completely new idler assembly and new serpentine. No more loud clicking noise! Thanks for your help guys, I just thought you would like to know what it was. I'm just glad it wasn't the AC compressor!

 

Was any of your guys noises close to this? This noise started for me after I got my AC condenser replaced, the guys who fixed it said the AC compressor did not look in great shape and may need to be replaced so I'm thinking that's what this is.

I don't mean the low clicky noises, I know our engines are clicky, i mean the louder noise.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1uts57TxVY#

 

Did anyone ever get to fixing this? I've been hearing that noise since the end of the summer and would really like to know if I should worry about it or not.

Thanks

 

I'm still waiting for my friend to bring me my compressor, but my noise has gone away for now.

 

Mine started to "click" on the right side when I almost reached parking at work. Weird thing is, that it is clicking even after engine turned off (clicks slower when engine off). Need to check it up after lunch and / or call up the dealer.
Nice, my 3 years turned up 2 months ago - no problems until then...

/Edit.
Everything was cooled off and clicking has stopped for now.