Looking for a couple of bits of wisdom please - I'm a new owner of a Mk1 VRS - completely std car that's been very well looked after - I've got every receipt and service stamp from when it was new - two previous owners.

 

Firstly - the aircon makes a low level whirring noise when working to get down to temp - it's not madly loud - you can't hear it if you are travelling above town speeds. Is that typical - or is it something that needs attention at this stage? It stops when the system is not trying to cool the cabin down or if the AC is off - it's not the blower fan itself. The refrigerant was recharged just before I bought it three weeks ago.

 

Second one - at idle in neutral there is a bit of a rough sound verging on a chatter - which disappears if you put the clutch down - and often is quieter after you release the clutch again - for a while. I'm assuming (?) that is the clutch release bearing getting worn - the car has covered 87k and as far as I know the clutch has not been replaced - no sign of slip or judder at all though and driving around everything feels good. I know some cars are more prone to transmitting that noise into the cabin - is it one just to keep an eye on and only it if gets worse do something? Do these VRS's have a bit of that going on anyway? 

 

It's such a great little car I want to keep it in as good nick as possible - but it's also a 14 year old car and my budget is pretty limited!

 

 

Hoping for a bit of experienced steer!

 

Cheers!

 

 

A noisy aircon compressor after recharging could suggest it's been over filled.

Your release bearing sounds like it's dried out after 14 years, the only cure is replacement, but if you can live with the noise it's not critical.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice - really helps  I'm good then to just keep an ear on the clutch noise and see how it goes.

 

Is there any way to actually check the AC fill? 

 

Cheers

@Grafix

1. Does anyone have a "free if it's not lots colder" offer on aircon refills right now?
2. I was thinking release bearing or DMF. Checking either of these requires dropping the gearbox.

2 minutes ago, Grafix said:

Thanks for your thoughts and advice - really helps  I'm good then to just keep an ear on the clutch noise and see how it goes.

 

Is there any way to actually check the AC fill? 

 

Cheers

 

Nope, you have to have it all removed and an accurately weighed amount put back in.

It's easy to over fill the system when you use the DIY kits with a pressure gauge, this is probably what has happened.

Hmm - the machine they hooked up seemed to do that tbh - maybe it's not that - rats.

1 hour ago, Grafix said:

Hmm - the machine they hooked up seemed to do that tbh - maybe it's not that - rats.

 

Unless they told the machine to put too much in, operator error in other words.