When my compressor cycles on and off it is rather noisy. I hate it when siting in traffic or at a light. It is pretty annoying. Is this typical? How noisy should it be?

------------------
1997 Black F150 XLT RC, SWB, ORP,
3.55, Soft Tonneau, 6 CD,
Bug Deflector, Smittybilt Nerf
Bars, Clear Headlight/Tailight
Lenses, K&N Air Filter, Backup Lamps

Future: Superchip, Moonvisor,
Flowmaster

 

I've never noticed hearing
the compressor. What bugs me
is the fan noise. For the
longest time, I thought it
was the transmission
whining.

------------------
White 97 XLT SC 4.6, 4X4, 3.55ls, door cracks, tow pkg, long bed, Rhino liner, Owens running boards

 

The compressors in my '97 and '99 were quiet. Barely hear a fluttering sound with the hood open. Can't hear it from inside the truck with windows closed.

 

Sometimes when sitting at a light, my compressor engages with a "clack" that bugs me a bit. It will do this for a while, then some other time it will be pretty quiet. I'll let you guess what the dealer said about it when it was under warranty...

 

I bet the dealer said it was normal... Did they listen to any other trucks on the lot??

Did you have it checked out over a year ago? Are you still under warranty? You might be able to argue a repair out of them for free, since you complained about it under warranty. If not, call Ford customer service and see what they have to say. Tell them you're thinking about buying one of those nice (eeew) Tundra's. And a Land Cruiser for your wife.

------------------
1997 F-150, 4.6, automatic, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Towing Package, Ford hvy dty rubber floor mats, Kenwood 10-disk cd changer, Kenwood am/fm cassette head unit, Ford bugshield, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar with 2 KC 100w Daylighters, Lund Lunar Visor, Ventshades, Ford bedliner, Lund Premier tonneau cover, cab and bed professionally undercoated, Code Alarm Sure Start RVS remote starter, Ford alarm, Realistic CB with Wilson Little Wil antenna, ported MAF sensor, and Lots of TLC!! (Besides being an F-150 nut, I am a Ford auto technician.)

 

Mine is near silent. I have had older cars where they become louder with age. The clutch mechanism does wear. Replacement is only necessary if clutch engagement stops, they get extremely loud, or just too loud for your taste.

------------------
2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.

 

I haven't heard mine yet but I can tell when it kicks off and on by the change in the air temp from the vents.

------------------
2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box