Couple hundred miles and it's not only the kids who are whining - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Magnificent · 06-20-2016, 08:39 PM

I was on a 6 hour road trip. I had a couple stops along the way so I drove a couple hours from Uvalde to San Antonio and nothing noteworthy came up. I parked it for a couple hours and then went out to start it to leave. That's when I heard the sound kind of like a power steering pump that's low on fluid. At first I thought the whining was probably the air pump because the car had been sitting for a couple hours just before I fired it up. I figured it would shut off soon but it was odd to me, albeit not too worrisome. I took off from San Antonio toward Waco. After about an hour I started to notice the noise was growing louder. It was about 100 degrees outside. I noticed the car was noticeably unpowerful. I tried to pass someone and the noise whined in time with the RPMs and more loudly under the load. What a dog! It was like there was a brake on the engine. I drove along a bit--stereo turned off and eye on the gauges--nothing weird there. I decided to ditch the load on my engine and turned off the AC. Now. power's restored, sound goes away. I drove to Waco that way 2 windows down at 75 mph. If you have to do that on a 100 degree day this car is not too bad...much cooler than my old muscle cars ever were---gawd-awful hotboxes with hot engines... Today I put the Camaro in the shop. We will see, but I predict the compressor is defective. I should add the AC never didnt blow cold when in use.

JerTM · 06-20-2016, 08:48 PM

I think are correct, it sounds to me like the compressor is in the process of seizing. Glad you got a warning, usually they lock up quickly and shred belts, usually taking the serpentine belt with them and you're stranded.

Magnificent · 06-21-2016, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerTM

I think are correct, it sounds to me like the compressor is in the process of seizing. Glad you got a warning, usually they lock up quickly and shred belts, usually taking the serpentine belt with them and you're stranded.

Funny you are in Utah--I'm going to drive up to Park City next month and see family. May take my kids to Timpanogos to see the cave. I am glad this setback is happening now so car will be ready for a real road trip.

BlueStreakHouTX · 06-21-2016, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnificent

I was on a 6 hour road trip. I had a couple stops along the way so I drove a couple hours from Uvalde to San Antonio and nothing noteworthy came up. I parked it for a couple hours and then went out to start it to leave. That's when I heard the sound kind of like a power steering pump that's low on fluid. At first I thought the whining was probably the air pump because the car had been sitting for a couple hours just before I fired it up. I figured it would shut off soon but it was odd to me, albeit not too worrisome. I took off from San Antonio toward Waco. After about an hour I started to notice the noise was growing louder. It was about 100 degrees outside. I noticed the car was noticeably unpowerful. I tried to pass someone and the noise whined in time with the RPMs and more loudly under the load. What a dog! It was like there was a brake on the engine. I drove along a bit--stereo turned off and eye on the gauges--nothing weird there. I decided to ditch the load on my engine and turned off the AC. Now. power's restored, sound goes away. I drove to Waco that way 2 windows down at 75 mph. If you have to do that on a 100 degree day this car is not too bad...much cooler than my old muscle cars ever were---gawd-awful hotboxes with hot engines... Today I put the Camaro in the shop. We will see, but I predict the compressor is defective. I should add the AC never didnt blow cold when in use.

Ha, I know SH 90 from Uvalde to SA well, travel it many times going from Houston to Big Bend.

How many miles on your 2012? Just asking to see when I can expect my AC compressor to grenade, as I'm out of warranty now.

Magnificent · 06-21-2016, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueStreakHouTX

Ha, I know SH 90 from Uvalde to SA well, travel it many times going from Houston to Big Bend.

How many miles on your 2012? Just asking to see when I can expect my AC compressor to grenade, as I'm out of warranty now.

18,500 mi.

Yes! We just tubed the Frio! It was awesome. Unfortunately our skin fried after a 5 hour float that we miscalculated would only last 2. That is the best river in Texas IMHO and worth the trip

JerTM · 06-21-2016, 07:43 PM

It's even funnier you are going to Park City and Timpanogos. I live in Heber.

Magnificent · 06-21-2016, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerTM

It's even funnier you are going to Park City and Timpanogos. I live in Heber.

Been There! Lol...It will be interesting to see how the L99 runs at altitude. We have 92 and 93 octane here in Texas, but I don't think they have that in Utah---which fuel should I buy while I am there?

JerTM · 06-21-2016, 09:32 PM

91 at altitude runs the same. Don't fill up anywhere in Park City unless the Chevron is still there by the golf course.

Magnificent · 06-21-2016, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerTM

91 at altitude runs the same. Don't fill up anywhere in Park City unless the Chevron is still there by the golf course.

Right on, I'm staying at Jeremy Ranch! Yes, Chevron runs best in my car here. I was shocked when Exxon sucked. My LS1 screamed on Exxon gas. It also shocked me when Shell was a fail because LS1 screamed on it too. Finicky car this one.

JerTM · 06-22-2016, 01:16 AM

My LS3 runs just fine on Shell. I prefer Chevron for the techron but you can get that at Texaco now as well. Any station on the top tier list is good. DO NOT use Tesoro or Maverick here, instant knock.

Magnificent · 06-23-2016, 04:55 PM

Chevrolet cant duplicate the problem even after letting it run for 3 hours in the stall....

JerTM · 06-23-2016, 06:01 PM

I tell people if they want their car fixed, just pay me to ride around shotgun. You wouldn't believe how many cars come in for a noise or issue that disappears when I go to figure it out. I've even had owners drive me around trying to duplicate it and nothing, only to have them leave and turn right back around lol. There are two likely components that could make those symptoms. A compressor breaking down, or a compressor clutch. If it breaks down on you while you're here, I'll take care of it for you haha

Magnificent · 06-23-2016, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerTM

I tell people if they want their car fixed, just pay me to ride around shotgun. You wouldn't believe how many cars come in for a noise or issue that disappears when I go to figure it out. I've even had owners drive me around trying to duplicate it and nothing, only to have them leave and turn right back around lol. There are two likely components that could make those symptoms. A compressor breaking down, or a compressor clutch. If it breaks down on you while you're here, I'll take care of it for you haha

Nice! He did say it was 3/10 lb. low on freon. I have never driven anything that nice. just sayin'. Most of the time my cars will take 2 cans but they never show any symptoms other than no AC.

JerTM · 06-23-2016, 08:46 PM

Mist likely it was a full charge, but their machine registered wrong. Every GM machine I have used registers low on evacuation. I have checked them all before. I removed all freon, vacuumed it, and put in 1lb, recovered it again and it says only .5lbs recovered. You are correct, a low charge will only show as no A/C

06-20-2016, 08:39 PM	#1
Magnificent Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Dallas Posts: 68 View My Garage	Couple hundred miles and it's not only the kids who are whining I was on a 6 hour road trip. I had a couple stops along the way so I drove a couple hours from Uvalde to San Antonio and nothing noteworthy came up. I parked it for a couple hours and then went out to start it to leave. That's when I heard the sound kind of like a power steering pump that's low on fluid. At first I thought the whining was probably the air pump because the car had been sitting for a couple hours just before I fired it up. I figured it would shut off soon but it was odd to me, albeit not too worrisome. I took off from San Antonio toward Waco. After about an hour I started to notice the noise was growing louder. It was about 100 degrees outside. I noticed the car was noticeably unpowerful. I tried to pass someone and the noise whined in time with the RPMs and more loudly under the load. What a dog! It was like there was a brake on the engine. I drove along a bit--stereo turned off and eye on the gauges--nothing weird there. I decided to ditch the load on my engine and turned off the AC. Now. power's restored, sound goes away. I drove to Waco that way 2 windows down at 75 mph. If you have to do that on a 100 degree day this car is not too bad...much cooler than my old muscle cars ever were---gawd-awful hotboxes with hot engines... Today I put the Camaro in the shop. We will see, but I predict the compressor is defective. I should add the AC never didnt blow cold when in use.

06-20-2016, 08:48 PM	#2
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	I think are correct, it sounds to me like the compressor is in the process of seizing. Glad you got a warning, usually they lock up quickly and shred belts, usually taking the serpentine belt with them and you're stranded.

06-21-2016, 07:43 PM	#6
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	It's even funnier you are going to Park City and Timpanogos. I live in Heber.

06-21-2016, 09:32 PM	#8
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	91 at altitude runs the same. Don't fill up anywhere in Park City unless the Chevron is still there by the golf course.

06-22-2016, 01:16 AM	#10
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	My LS3 runs just fine on Shell. I prefer Chevron for the techron but you can get that at Texaco now as well. Any station on the top tier list is good. DO NOT use Tesoro or Maverick here, instant knock.

06-23-2016, 04:55 PM	#11
Magnificent Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Dallas Posts: 68 View My Garage	Chevrolet cant duplicate the problem even after letting it run for 3 hours in the stall....

06-23-2016, 06:01 PM	#12
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	I tell people if they want their car fixed, just pay me to ride around shotgun. You wouldn't believe how many cars come in for a noise or issue that disappears when I go to figure it out. I've even had owners drive me around trying to duplicate it and nothing, only to have them leave and turn right back around lol. There are two likely components that could make those symptoms. A compressor breaking down, or a compressor clutch. If it breaks down on you while you're here, I'll take care of it for you haha

06-23-2016, 08:46 PM	#14
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	Mist likely it was a full charge, but their machine registered wrong. Every GM machine I have used registers low on evacuation. I have checked them all before. I removed all freon, vacuumed it, and put in 1lb, recovered it again and it says only .5lbs recovered. You are correct, a low charge will only show as no A/C