For quite some time now my parent's Skoda Superb has been making a strange breathing like sound from the AC, it is somewhat similar to the breathing of Darth Vader. Any idea what it could be? 

43 minutes ago, Kazik2k said:

it is somewhat similar to the breathing of Darth Vader

 

 

 

Is there enough gas in the AC system, maybe in needs to be topped up due to leaking over time?

19 minutes ago, vborovic said:

 

 

 

Is there enough gas in the AC system, maybe in needs to be topped up due to leaking over time?

The gas has been checked with 2 different devices and both say it's pretty much perfect, the noise comes from the centre console area rather than from the engine bay 

2 minutes ago, Kazik2k said:

centre console area

 

Try to be more specific, is it coming from the center air vents, or the lower portion, closer to the ashtray? The air filter for example is above the passenger's feet, so there is a lot of air actually circulating behind a lot of the central console and the dash panel

Same problem here have been trying to diagnose it myself but my problem is it's intermittent and  it only happens now and then for no specific reason that I can put my finger on.
It never happens when my wife is driving the car and I'm passenger so that I could  hear exactly where it is coming from..

If I switch of A/C it stops the noise instantly 

I switch it of when it says  "No, I am your father"  
 

 

Could be the fan on its way out, it’s behind the glove box.

 

maybe worth pulling out the pollen filter accessed from underneath the glovebox to see how dirty it is as well.

On 25/09/2018 at 18:42, vborovic said:

 

Try to be more specific, is it coming from the center air vents, or the lower portion, closer to the ashtray? The air filter for example is above the passenger's feet, so there is a lot of air actually circulating behind a lot of the central console and the dash panel

It sounds as if its coming from the air vents or behind the radio, it's quite difficult to pinpoint an exact location. As to the air filter, this has been replaced and cleaned out a few times over the years and it keeps doing it. Could it be a motor that is trying to close a valve but it can't so it keeps trying? Only thing I can think of. 

If its the same noise then I have it too.

 

It stops and starts at random, but going too fast over speed humps has been known to wake it up.

 

Turning off the Climatronic stops the noise instantly.

 

The thing Is, it started whilst the car was under warranty (5 years ago) albeit quieter and less frequent. As expected 'no fault found sir'. 

 

100,000 miles later is still does it, a little louder and a little more often but everything works fine, it still blows ice cold.