I recently bought a 97 outback sport and I have noticed when the AC is running that there is a intermitent sound that sounds like breathing or a gasp. It seems to be comming from the passenger side dash area, that is at least where it sounds like it is comming from. The AC works, but is not as cold as I would think it should be, I am wondering if I need to get the system charged, or is there something else that is causing this issue? Thanks for any insight any of youmay have.

 

-Will

Gasp

 

I am your father luke ...

 

Gasp

 

May need a charge, may have a leaky o ring (very common problem). The gasping thing, im not sure what that is unless you have a leaky vaccum motor that is cycling to keep a door open in the hvac system. I dont think the ac system itself will gasp if its low.

 

nipper

Mine makes crazy bubbling, whooshing noises after i shut it off. It still works good though. Is it more of a boiling, whooshing noise than gasping?

Sounds like you have two problems. water sloshing arouns is a cloged drain line in the HVAC box. A gurgling sound is air in the heater core. No cold air is low refrigerant.

If you get cold air, and hot air, ild go with the its full of water and needs to have the drain line blown out or cleared with a coat hanger.

 

 

nipper

I get lots of hot air, and some cold air, the "gasping" sound(Darth Vader's resperator is actually close) seems like it is when the compressor kicks in or shuts off if that helps.

heheeh no it doesnt ...

maybe the expansion valve?

Hard to diagnose without hearning it.

 

nipper