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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
So, First off I rarely use the A/C in my truck. It's a first gen OHV. A few weeks ago I went to use the A/C and there was a really loud, continuous clatter. Almost sounds like really fast clicking. This all starts when I press in the button to turn on the A/C. When I turn off the A/C it goes away.. Heater works great and that's pretty much all I know..
I'm thinking the clutch on the compressor went bad?
Haven't even got around to looking at it but the noise is from the compressor itself. Only when electricity is sent to it to activate it. The noise is very loud and consist of repetitive "clacking". With prolonged activity it smokes and smells like something is burning. The air blows cold above 2000RPM. I have near no experience with A/C but I am 609 Certified
If you have a leak, you may have lost oil. Like an engine, it'll go out. Also, Ford compressors have what's known as Black Death. Internals go to pot. If you were to evacuate the system (legally of course) then pull the orifice tube and see if it's covered in black crap.
A shop will evacuate the system, just don't run the ac until it's been refilled. You can check the orifice yourself.
Haven't even got around to looking at it but the noise is from the compressor itself. Only when electricity is sent to it to activate it. The noise is very loud and consist of repetitive "clacking". With prolonged activity it smokes and smells like something is burning. The air blows cold above 2000RPM. I have near no experience with A/C but I am 609 Certified
It sounds like your compressor is dying, whatever the cause may be. The "clacking" is the sound of internals ripping themselves apart, same as a motor with a rod knock,etc... Stop using it. Its going to lock up on you unexpectedly and take out the belt with it, leaving you stuck somewhere.
Unfortunately, when the compressor goes like that, you're going to have to pretty much replace the entire a/c system. EVERYTHING will be contaminated with sludge and broken bits of compressor. If you try to cheap out and just replace the compressor, the remaining "crap" in the system will quickly destroy your new compressor (and void any warranty on it). With a catastrophic compressor failure, no amount of flushing the other parts will get them clean enough.
