I need some help with an air con noise that’s developed over the weekend. My Octavia is 2003 L & K 130PD with Climate control.

I am getting a slight gurgling or rattle when at idle coming from the passenger side of the car (sounds like it’s coming from the glove box) it’s not noticeable from outside the car with the bonnet closed or open. I have had the system serviced by VW which hasn’t helped (was due for is 48 month service anyway) the noise disappears when the engine speed increases above 1200 RPM.

The noise is present when the air con is:

On

Off

Or in Econ mode

However the noise disappears when the system is in recirculation mode.

I have replaced the auxiliary drive belt, the belt tensioner and the air con pump clutch is functioning correctly (pulley nut is tight) as are booth fans.

The drain valve that passes through the bulk head is also unblocked and allows drained to pass to atmosphere.

I am really struggling now on what this can be? Any ideas/ similar issues? The system functions perfectly but the noise is really starting to **** me off (has to be something)

Cheers Andrew

I have the exact same thing. I also have a slight leak in my aircon gas as I had it topped up last year, and the aircon was working perfectly but now it's not working again!

The gurgling never went away :(

I have that noise too and i have no idea what it is!

time to get the system pressure tested with some coloured die then?

I always thought the gurgling was just liquid from the climate control swirling down to the drain holes after you bring the car to a stop.

That's the normal gurgling yes - this is a constant gurgle inside the car while the system is working. Will call the aircon place this week I think and get them to check it out for me. It's getting warm here now and I want cool air!

My car's in at the aircon specialists today and they've found that there's an o-ring seal on the pipe to the condenser that's leaking gas.

They've replaced that o-ring and the system seems to be holding pressure now.

They reckon the gurgling is the result of the system being under pressure, and that if it's doing that you need to turn it onto ECON mode ASAP as running on low gas pressure can cause expensive damage!

They commented that the condenser has corrosion on it which may have cause the seal to start leaking. They don't normally corrode here because they don't salt the roads in winter but my car spent one winter in the UK

Fingers crossed that's all it is!

my gurgling or noise was a fault on the motor flap my mate plugged his vag com in cleared it not heard a noise since!