Grinding/rattle from front of car when AC is on

[Nick T]

I have a grinding/rattle noise from the front of my 2015 Explorer when the AC is on and the car is in R or D. It occurs up to about 3 or 4 mph and then goes away. The Ford dealer already replaced a worn engine mount but that has not fixed the issue.

any ideas? I’m taking it back to the dealer tomorrow but they are pretty useless.

 

[xartic]

From what I have been reading, the belt tensioner tends to go out on these. I have one i'm going to be installing either today or tomorrow since I have the same problem as you.

 

[dabro55]

My vote would be the tensioner, I had a rattling noise right at idle that would go away at faster speed. The tensioner fixed it,

 

[xartic]

My vote would be the tensioner, I had a rattling noise right at idle that would go away at faster speed. The tensioner fixed it,

Have any tips on changing it? Im going to attempt it tonight when it cools down but the lack of easy access has made me push it off a few times.

 

[jons901]

Have any tips on changing it? Im going to attempt it tonight when it cools down but the lack of easy access has made me push it off a few times.

Here was my post detailing the tensioner change on a 2014 Limited with the 3.5:

Unexplained Rattle 2014 Limited

Here is my latest research project. This rattle was intermittent all winter, gone for days or weeks at a time, but back pretty regularly now. I'm thinking possibly AC compressor issue of some sort as if I am at idle in a parking lot the AC will be pretty warm. Once I rev a bit, the AC cools...

www.explorerforum.com

However it did not fix my issue. I think it is now the AC compressor. I initially thought motor mount as well, but there were no noises with the belt off. So I went tensioner first as it was the cheapest part.

 

[dkh001]

Any update here? I have the exact same issue. Changed belt and tensioner and still rattling.

 

[xartic]

I can say that I did a new tensioner and ensured the belt I bought was the correct length. The previous owner put on the smaller front rotors and a belt that was a bit longer than the Sport version called for.

Haven't had any rattles since I did this maintenance back in July.