Is anyone aware of any NVH issues with the A/C compressor? My 11 Clubman has a very load growl noise whenever the A/C is switched on. Since I live quite a ways from my dealer, I'd like to make sure I've got a legitimate complaint before I take it in under warranty.

 

Mine does the same, it starts to growl at 3000 rpm, this has been the same since I got my car. Seems like a normal characteristic with a 1.6L engine. As long as it blows cold air you will be good. I wouldn't break a sweat over it since all the pulleys work off a single serpentine belt.

You can find many topics relating to "AC Growl"

 

I guess I need to try harder with the search engine. I tried A/C, compressor, NVH, and growl. Thanks for pointing me to the thread. I'm always amazed at how many different ways there are to describe an NVH issue.

I will let it go for now. I deal with a lot of noise issues in my work, and it's amazing to me BMW/Mini would let one this loud go on unsolved for so long.

 

This isn't just for Mini / BMW, all small engines have the same issues specially if it's a 1.6L. You will usually not feel this on a 2.5L 4 cylinder. If you jump up to a 6 cylinder engine you barely notice the noise / loss of power at all. As stated before, you have nothing to worry about.

 

Minidogs2, I see you have a 2nd Gen car? if I am not mistaken MINI has come up with a fix for the growling AC issue for these.

Check this thread / posts #54 and #56:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3156334

If I were you I'd contact the dealer.

 

i work for honda and have never come across this noise in any of our 4 cyl. my mini does it too. temp has to be over 90*. the lead tech at the local mini dealer said its normal. it hasnt blown up in the 3 years so i guess it is normal.

 

Mine howls like a banshee, has for as long as I can remember (11/09 build). Goes in Friday, I'll report back what's done about it and the outcome.

 

I was speaking about power loss. Never owned a Honda but my Golf & Audi A3 both had power loss and odd sounding noises while the AC was on. (Mostly when the fans kicked in) maybe this is a german thing

 

Got my car back today. Adding the dampener per the service bulletin did the trick - it's dead-nuts quiet now. Awesome!