Creaking/clicking noise at idle in drive with A/C on

[Rich Bryan]

2006 Ram 1500 5.7 has a creaking/clicking noise at idle with the AC on. The noise gets louder if I turn the steering wheel at a stop. If I increase the rpm's it goes away When driving the noise goes away. If I turn the AC off the noise is not as bad, but still can be heard. Have recently replaced, 2 idler pulleys,1 idler tensioner pulley, altenator, fan clutch and AC clutch and pulley and a water pump last year. The truck drives and runs fine, the noise is alarming. Any ideas??

 

[McBroom]

Might be the compressor itself? How cold is the a/c?


I Love my 18 Ram 2500HD 4x4 CC
Blue Streak Pearl off-road

 

[Rich Bryan]

Possibly. Temperature is cold, could probably be colder though. The sound can clearly be heard on the passenger (right side) side of the motor, which makes me think it's not the compressor since it's on the opposite side. I added a youtube link with a video of what it sounds like.

 

[McBroom]

Just watched the video 2X now I’m gonna change my diagnosis. It sounds more like the rockers need to be adjusted. You said the sound goes away with increased rpms. That could/would make the rockers float and at idle they’re slapping the valve stems.


I Love my 18 Ram 2500HD 4x4 CC
Blue Streak Pearl off-road

 

[SYKRAMMAN]

Did anyone notice the slack adjuster (tension pulley) in the very beginning of vid move up a smidge when the ac clicked off and that sound stopped?

 

[Fitz-0518]

Agree^^^^ Common for the serpentine tension pulley to wear and make a clicking or bushing noise. The tension pulley should not bounce or move when the engine is running.i

 

[Rich Bryan]

Thanks guys. I've noticed that too. I replaced it about a month ago in hope's of getting rid of the sound but no luck.

 

[SYKRAMMAN]

Push down on it with something to see if the noise stops while it’s running. It’s always possible it was faulty out of the box, I’ve seen it many many times.

 

[Jason G Slabaugh]

Have you replaced the belt too? Squeaky old belt that is dried up will cause funny noises too

 

[Rich Bryan]

I ended up replacing the tension and the sound decreases, but still remain. Ill replace the belt next just to see if it changes anything.