a/c & vent duct noise [Archive] - El Camino Central Forum : Chevrolet El Camino Forums

: a/c & vent duct noise


texas86
09-02-2005, 01:30 PM
Looked in search - couldn't find this one. . . when I turn on my a/c - vent fan I hear a fairly loud "bang" a few seconds after it has been running. It's as if the ducting expands after air flows through it. The first ElCamino I ever had (also an 86) did it, and a friend of mine has an 85 and his does it too. We're scratching our heads. Anyone know about this and what to do about it?

acauth1
09-02-2005, 02:27 PM
Look here:
http://elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=908

texas86
09-02-2005, 05:59 PM
Thank you very much for the prompt response. Can't believe I got a response from the top man! Looks like it's not a very common question based on the dates. Thanks again. PM to follow.

1978elky
09-22-2005, 06:46 AM
Hello: More than likely the diverter doors are sticking, and when vacuum is applied it takes a little while for the door so snap loose. This is usually from sticky stuff on the doors that use to hold strips of sealing foam or rubber. Almost all do that after sitting for awhile. In hot climates does it more often due to the sealing stuff on the doors being softer and sticking better. If you want to fix it it is a real pain for sure.
hope that helps
Darryl....

texas86
09-22-2005, 05:34 PM
Darryl -
Thanks for the info. As suggested by acauth1, I tried spraying some silcone/WD40 down the center vents and that seems to have helped some.
I have to pull the radio out sometime so I'm going to see where those ducts go. Sounds like quite a job for the result. May try it - may not.
Thanks again

1978elky
09-22-2005, 07:51 PM
hello: Usually what happens when all the seals on the doors are shot is all the A/C comes out on the floor. The easy fix is get some aluminum duct tape and tape off the vent at the floor (may have to remove difuser do dad on bottom vent) Tape it off with aluminum duct tape, and that will usually make everything liveable with the A/C. To fix the problem you have to pull the dash, Pull the outside heater box and the inside box. You really want to have to fix it real bad to do this Ha! Your car will be down for a week, maybe more, its a mess.
good luck
Darryl..

texas86
09-23-2005, 05:57 PM
Darryl -
Thanks again for the insights. Sounds like you've been this route before.
Don't know if I'm ready to take that trip with all the other things I need to get done first. I will keep your comments handy though. Maybe some rainy day . . . .