A/C Compressor Loud rattle/tapping when engaged
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
1990 300CE
A/C Compressor Loud rattle/tapping when engaged
I've searched and searched but not found anything that sounds quite like what I'm experiencing.
1998 S320 - When the A/C first engages, it makes a pretty loud rattling or tapping sound for several seconds. Once the compressor is running it kind of fades out. I've read a couple things that indicate it could be liquid slugging of refrigerant, which can result from overcharging.
Just wondering if anyone else has seen this and how they fixed it. I'm not opposed to replacing the compressor, but I don't want to waste the money (and time) if it's not really bad. The A/C cools just fine. It was like this all the way through our Oklahoma summer and it performed great. The noise occurs more frequently now that it's cooler outside, because the compressor cycles a lot more frequently. So if it's not really a bad compressor, I don't want to damage it by letting this continue. Any input is greatly appreciated.
1998 S320 - When the A/C first engages, it makes a pretty loud rattling or tapping sound for several seconds. Once the compressor is running it kind of fades out. I've read a couple things that indicate it could be liquid slugging of refrigerant, which can result from overcharging.
Just wondering if anyone else has seen this and how they fixed it. I'm not opposed to replacing the compressor, but I don't want to waste the money (and time) if it's not really bad. The A/C cools just fine. It was like this all the way through our Oklahoma summer and it performed great. The noise occurs more frequently now that it's cooler outside, because the compressor cycles a lot more frequently. So if it's not really a bad compressor, I don't want to damage it by letting this continue. Any input is greatly appreciated.
