'10 Accent AC Growls Rough in Reverse

[smithscientist]

I'm hoping someone can help me determine if this is normal.

Two big issues of concern with my newly purchased used Accent with 40k on it.

When starting the car first thing in the morning, when I drive the car out my drive way in reverse, it feels like it runs a little rough in reverse. Nothing dramatic, but still strangely rough to cause me a little concern. The rest of the day i only have to reverse briefly from parking spaces, so i dont really notice it then. Is this normal? My driveway is also at a slight downhill angle, which may be related to the roughness?

My second big concern, is my AC makes a very low, hardly audible, but still noticeable growling sound. It is most noticeable after the car has been sitting a few hours, then I start it, and if I wait for about 30 seconds, I hear it growl for about 10 seconds. While driving the car around I hear it spuratically make the sound then too. It isn't consistant enough to say I hear it every certain amount of time. Its very random, except I always hear it after it's been sitting for a long time. I can hear the sound best when the fan is set to Level 1. Turning it up to Level 4 doesn't make the growl louder, but it makes the fan so loud that its harder to hear the growl. Also, when I have it at level 1, and turn the AC button off, the growl goes away. It's concerning to me, and when I took it to the dealership, it wouldn't make the growl sound when the guy listened.

Can anyone offer me any input? I only have 20k left on my warranty and I'm getting the feeling the dealership would give me the run around until my warranty runs out, then the AC will go out and i'll get stuck with some $3000 bill.

[bloodninja]

The latter is completely normal in all cars.
I can't comment on the former as I don't back my car up downhill.

[austex04]

Mine always makes that moaning sound while backing up, something to do with the reverse gearing in most cars, mine is a manual transmission. The a/c in mine also makes that growling sound at times, more so when its really hot outside, it seems like when it growls the air blows colder and takes away more power from the engine, its a normal sound. I think its a valve inside the compressor that opens up to pump more r134a through for more cooling. We just hear it more becouse of how close the compressor is to the firewall, and the lack of sound insulation in these cars. I bought mine new, and its been very reliable during the 49k miles.

[And Don't Call Me Shirley]

Agree with the previous posters re: a/c. Modern variable volume compressors will make more initial noise if the system has not been run recently, i.e. car shut off.

As for the car running rough at first start- does this only happen in reverse? It could just be that the idle is a little too low. Various causes for that.

First off, try parking backwards in your driveway, if practical. The next morning you'll know if it has anything to do with reversing or if it just runs roughly at cold start.

[smithscientist]

Originally Posted by And Don't Call Me Shirley

Agree with the previous posters re: a/c. Modern variable volume compressors will make more initial noise if the system has not been run recently, i.e. car shut off.

As for the car running rough at first start- does this only happen in reverse? It could just be that the idle is a little too low. Various causes for that.

First off, try parking backwards in your driveway, if practical. The next morning you'll know if it has anything to do with reversing or if it just runs roughly at cold start.

Re: Running rough at first start...

I've tried many times after a fresh start just taking off going forward, and its a very smooth quiet engine, like a Hyundai should be, the only time i notice this roughness is leaving my [really] slightly downhill driveway in reverse. The problem is, I can't really re-create this scenario with a dealership or automechanic. Even if I left my car overnight, chances are, they don't have a slight slope to back my car out of to see the same results. Most mechanics would just back it out of a car space, and in that scenario there is no rougness.

[austex04]

If its a steep drive, maybe the sound is from the engine slowing the car down, instead of the engine pushing the car back? You should never go faster than 5mph in reverse, becouse of how the gearing is, its harder on the transmission, automatic and manual both. I would not worry about it. Things I would be concerned about is the maint items, such as spark plugs and cabin air filter since you bought it used. If you got the maint log and owners book, I would take a look and consider if these items may or may not have been done before you bought it.

[smithscientist]

Thank you all for your responses, it is much appreciated. By the sound of it, the AC sound is probably normal, but I'm still a little uncertain on the roughness in reverse. I don't accelerate at all, because I'm backing up out of my garage, then down the driveway [slight downhill slope], then turning into the street. All without using the gas at all, only some breaking so i don't roll out too fast.

Still welcoming anyone with additional information that could save me after my warranty is up.

Nice forum, quick responses.

[And Don't Call Me Shirley]

Originally Posted by austex04

such as spark plugs

Funny you should mention that. I recently discovered that the dealer didn't bother to change them at the 30k appointment. Or the 60k. So I just did them myself at 87k. I don't think we'll be going back to that dealer anytime soon.

[smithscientist]

[Update]: So my dealer heard the AC noise and gave me a new compressor. Also, my dealer agreed it was rough in reverse at cold start, and the car was jumping/shifting to hard from 1st to 2nd, so they also gave me a new transmission. I'm really happy that they put a brand new tranny and compressor in my used car with 40,000 miles on it. I still have another 20,000 miles to try out these new parts under the bumper-to-bumper warranty, so thats really cool.

The car shifts much smoother now when taking off at stop lights. No more big jerking is felt going from 1st to second, but i still get a very slight jerk which i guess is normal with these cars.

I am still concerned about my AC. Because the dealer heard the noise I described in this thread, then replace the compressor, but my car is still making the same exact noise. So it makes me wonder, if they "heard something wrong", then why am i hearing the same wrong thing even with a new compressor.

Sucks, I regret buying Hyundai, especially after reading up a lot more after buying it. I should have gone for the Honda Fit. Same price range, much more reliable. Oh well, I'll look on the bright side, this car gets AMAZING gas mileage, I'm really going to be gentle and baby my new transmission to get a 100k out of it at least, and I got another 20k left on my warranty where if AC gets worse or goes out, they'll replace it for free. but still, the headache of worry I get from all this ain't worth it.