Knock, knock… it’s your compressor!?

So, today as I got out of my 5.7 Crewmax, as I passed in front of my running truck in 99 degree heat, I easily noticed a knock sound repeatedly, which is coming from the compressor. AC on… knock knock, AC off… shhhh.
Question. Is it what I’m thinking? Should I be immediate on replacing it? Should I also pop for a new dryer? Estimated cost at dealer, anyone? Thank you in advance.

 

Yes

 

I don't know how many miles you have on the truck, but seems kinda early for a 2018 for a compressor to be going out on you. I imagine that road salt causing corrosion and other factors may be an issue.

For reference my '08 just went out on me earlier this year 240k miles (we use it during the winter here on the coast to defog windows from excessive humidity)... However, prior to that, it spent its entire life in Vegas; so needless to say constant use there for the first 200,000 miles of its life w/no issues.

Anyhow, dealer here quoted $1400-$1600 for compressor, dryer, etc... I purchased an OE compressor online w/the necessities for under $300 and had a reputable shop do the install $475 labor (including freon, etc.).

It may just be your clutch, but doesn't seem worth it to spend the labor to save $200 in parts; especially if you risk having to repeat the repair in the near future.

Good luck!

 

I suppose I should’ve mentioned (new here), no salt roads, live in coastal Mississippi, 92,000 miles, truck very well maintained. Thanks for your reply. I may take your advice. Did you get a compressor and dryer for $300ish?

 

Looking back at the receipt the compressor was $392 (minus $83 savings), so total shipped was $310ish...

Once I received the compressor, I noticed the paperwork on it said the warranty would only be valid if dryer was replaced during the install. So, I ended up running down to Napa and grabbing the dryer ($22) and taking both to the shop for install. So $335 for parts (freon was part of the $475 labor).

 

I would definitely buy OEM and have a reputable shop do the install. I know here we have some shops that only deal with A/C work. Dealers are so over priced.

 

So, the plot thickens… as I mentioned it was damn hot when this happened. It stopped and I haven’t looked at it since then. Here’s the embarrassing admission… it seems that the knocking noise is coming from the vane pump (power steering), as the noise is at that area of the front passenger side of the engine. I cranked it an hour ago and let it run 5 minutes. No noise. Now what?

 

Were your wheels at full lock? The PS on my 2010 would knock sometimes if it was.

 

Not sure I understand. Full lock steering wheel only when turned off. Truck was running. I’m missing something.

 

Great reply. Thank you. Maybe I should have someone check the charge.

 

My wife's 2017 Pilot had a weird noise coming from the compressor, which I ignored for a while. It eventually got worse so I took it into Honda. By that time, the compressor had imploded and tainted the whole system. Car was in the shop for 6 weeks waiting for parts, and the repair bill was just shy of 7 grand. We just got her car back.

If it's the compressor, get to it before it fails catastrophically.

 

By full lock I mean all the way to one side. Either all the way left or all the way right. That made my PS pump rattle. Just a thought since you mentioned your PS.

 

Nah, it was straight.

 

Check the serpentine belt and tensioner. A damaged or glazed belt can make a “clucking” or knocking noise, and can be load dependent. (A/C on vs. off).

 

I was hoping someone would suggest th. I didn’t know if the belt and/or tensioner could create that kind of noise.

 

If you ever need a new compressor check the DESNO website they are OEM for Toyota and you will get an identical part at a fraction of the price. Even the part numbers are the same.

 

Denso or desno or it doesn't matters. Is Denso short for Nippondenso from years ago or is it like Dunkin for dunkin donuts?

 

Denso, lol

 

I did google it and nippon must mean donut in Japanese.