2oa

Anybody have a whooshing sound from their ES 250? This has been going on for quite some time, but has gotten worse. You here it on the inside of the car -- it sounds like there is like water running through pipes or something.

Tried to record it here

LS500Fan

I can't make out the whooshing sound from that clip.

ESh

Nor where it comes from.

2oa

A little hard to hear -- I know. If you increase the volume all the way, you can kind of hear it at the 3 second mark.

This is being recorded from inside the car ---- sounds like it is coming from the engine area

ESh

It is more like squealing.

grp52

When playing the mov file with QuickTime Player, I don't hear anything at the 3 second time mark. However, with the volume cranked up, starting at approximately the 7 second time mark a whirling/whooshing type sound starts and ends with a short double clicking sound at approximately the 8 second time mark.

Is there a motorized louver or valve in the air conditioning system ducting somewhere? I don't know, but that's what could make a sound like that - a small electrical motor through some sort of geared reduction system cranking a louver or value to a full stop open or closed position.

2oa

So I was actually able to record a better clip -- listen to the attached.

I've also determined it is definitely coming from the A/C. In this clip, I turn the A/C off at the 18 second mark and you will hear the sound stop. At the 22 second mark I turn the AC back on and it starts again.

Any ideas?? Lexus Dealer couldn't figure it out

E46CT

Usually these sounds tend to be:

a/c refrigerant sounds
heater core
gas tank.

usually it's normal.

2oa

It's unbearable (even though not that noticeable on the clip) - as it is constant when it starts

swfla

iTrader: (1)

December in NY, heater? Check coolant level and perhaps it needs air purged. That would give these sounds. Don't wonder "how could this be?". Just check level and find out how to purge air. Do that and it stops, you're good. If it doesn't, then you've eliminated one source.

Lesley248

Can't really figure it out from the clips but from what swfla said, I have noticed my AC get pretty loud even at the first speed when I turn it on recently. Not sure if it's only the heat or maybe I didn't notice it during the summer with the AC.

TerryNVA

Could it be a air leak?