Jazzy A3

I have a 99' 1.8T Sport - I normally leave the climate control on when I park up at night (garaged), when I come to start it up the next morning I get a nasty screaching noise from the front of the car everytime. I now switch ir off when I garage it and no noise at all in the mornings - any one else have this problem or have a solution?

Gambba

Could be that the compressor belt needs tightening up slightly, well this would be my first place to investigate. Off the top of my head I'm not sure why there would be any difference between the CC being on or off before switching off for the night, I have some thoughts but none that are feasable as far as I can see...so check the tension of the belt as it sounds like it's slipping.

Screaching or squealing is normally associated with loose belts of a sort, quite often on old cars alternator and fan belts.

catfishmms

i have that sound when i connect my car... i'll have a look on the next revision...

Jazzy A3

Thats what I thought Gambba, Audi have had a look, and they suggested replacing the CC belt which was done and it still happens.

bk1

Only screeching I've heard on startup is a bad starter motor - a horrible high-pitch whirring that tails off very fast, but if it was a bad starter then you should always get the problem when the engine is cold - I'm not sure the CC would make any difference.

Gambba

One of the guys in Germany had a problem but was apparant when switching the CC on and off during normal running, and it came down to the compressor bearing seizing in the end, and that was extremely high pitched....I heard it!

Once you start up after having switched the CC off the night before, and then switch the CC back on immediately after does the noise occur? Did they change the tensioner when they did the belt? Could it be the tensioner bearing on it's way out?

Jazzy A3

Yes, the noise still happens switching CC on straight after I have started the engine - If I wait a while (after it's warmed up) and then turn the CC on - its OK.
It's due for a service soon so I may mention the tensioner bearing to them.

Drillslinger

Jazzy A3,
Does the "tempo" of the noise change with the rpm at all? If so, then HAVE YOUR AC Compressor CHECKED!! I'm the guy Gambba was talking about. My Compressor was whining when cold, but quieted down once the engine warmed up. I had taken it in to a total of 3 different mechanics, all of whom said it should last until Spring, and get the compressor changed out then. Well, about a month ago I was going about 140-160 kph down the Autobahn when the compressor siezed and MELTED my belt. I completely lost power steering and it was obvious that the alternator wasn't spinning, as I almost lost my lights (it was at around 0600) Engine kept going, so I managed to get her off the autobahn and to the shoulder. When I looked under the hood, my serpentine belt was almost completely gone, and my pretensioner was chewed to pieces. Luckily, the belt wore away, but didn't completely snap. otherwise it prolly would have taken out a few hoses on it's way. Needless to say, we got a "Deal" and still wound up paying 800 Euros for the repair.

So just play it safe, and if you suspect the compressor, have someone take a look ;-)

Jazzy A3

Thanks Drillslinger - will do!