E90 A/C growling sound

[sig998]

Since a few months my AC is making this growling noise whenever it's on. It doesn't start right away, only sometimes. But it does so increasingly more often and the volume is increasing.

Here's a sample recording, with switching A/C on/off a few times.

What could it be? Any ideas?

[TouringDan]

Mine does the same thing. First step is to check the high and low side pressures since the compressor can growl if low on refrigerant. If the system is fully charged, its the clutch, which is not a serviceable item. It means the compressor has to be replaced - which is why mine has been growling for a bit now. It's a gamble running a growling compressor. They can seize up or fail catastrophically. When that happens, your $400-$600 compressor replacement turns into $1500-$2k because now you've got to replace the condenser and some other parts.

[Ramseyd]

I have a compressor and every other ac bit for sale


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