Vauxhall Corsa D - Air con caused tapping noise

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Thu 17 Jul 2014 20:21
Vauxhall Corsa D - Air con caused tapping noise - happyvaux

Hi all, (Vx Corsa D, 2008, 1.4L auto)

turned the air-con on today and suddenly heard loud tapping under the bonnet so I turned it off. (previously it had been working, but wasn't as cool as normal and I was considering getting a regas)

The tapping is continuous, with the sound coming from around the camshaft pulley area.

When you switch on the aircon, the button lights up but nothing happens. Looked in the fusebox under bonnet but can't tell if any of the 3 listed 7.5A fuses have blown, without removing them, as they are the small type.

I could live w/o the aircon, but what is this tapping?

Any help appreciated,

Pete

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Thu 17 Jul 2014 21:19
Vauxhall Corsa D - Air con caused tapping noise - elekie&a/c doctor
Difficult to assess any noise without hearing it,but have you checked engine oil level?Can,t really think what else would make a tapping noise,unless the ac pump is terminal.
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Thu 17 Jul 2014 21:46
Vauxhall Corsa D - Air con caused tapping noise - happyvaux

Actually, yes the oil level was low so I topped it up. At first I thought the noise sounded like the oil had run dry and I had a blocked lifter. But it was only on minimum, not completely empty.

The noise sounds a bit like when I had some exhaust manifold bolts shear on my omega years ago. What you could hear was engine noise like the lifters tapping through the small gap.

I drove it home (8 miles) but I'm not sure if I'm ok driving it and really don't know where to start with it...

Pete

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Thu 17 Jul 2014 22:47
Vauxhall Corsa D - Air con caused tapping noise - happyvaux

On much closer inspection, I think the noise is actually the air con compressor...

Clickety-clackety-tippety-tappety

The noise was translating up to around the camshaft pulley area.

Somehow I guess this'll be expensive :(

and am I ok to drive it in the meantime?

Pete

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Thu 17 Jul 2014 23:14
Vauxhall Corsa D - Air con caused tapping noise - happyvaux

sorry I meant air con pump, not compressor. Couldn' see how to edit the post.

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Thu 17 Jul 2014 23:32
Vauxhall Corsa D - Air con caused tapping noise - elekie&a/c doctor
If the noise is only present with ac switched on ,then should be ok to drive.but would get it checked ASAP. Compressor or pump ,same thing.
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Fri 18 Jul 2014 02:21
Vauxhall Corsa D - Air con caused tapping noise - happyvaux

Thanks.

The noise is there all the time.

Switching the a/c on does nothing except make the light on the switch come on. When you switch it off, there's a slight change in the engine tone as if there was a current being drawn.

I think it's the pump. Will get it checked out asap.

Pete

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Fri 18 Jul 2014 13:42
Vauxhall Corsa D - Air con caused tapping noise - keithd

If it turns out that you need a new compressor and you don't want the expense of replacing it then you could fit a smaller belt and not drive the pump.

This would be a much cheaper alternative if you you can live without the aircon.

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Fri 18 Jul 2014 19:28
Vauxhall Corsa D - Air con caused tapping noise - happyvaux

Yes, I wondered about this...

I suppose it boils down to getting the proper diagnosis at my garage first, with a price for the job and considering how long it'd take to find that cash.

But it could be an option for me. Would the new belt just be the same belt that's for the corsa model which doesn't have the a/c fitted I wonder?

Thanks to all who've replied too,

Pete

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Fri 18 Jul 2014 19:44
Vauxhall Corsa D - Air con caused tapping noise - elekie&a/c doctor
Remove the ac pump and use a shorter belt.A 5PK 1230 will do the job,but the engine mount will need to come off to fit it.
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