Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Provided by www.ACkits.com

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Search Auto AC Forum Archives

Compressor Flutter

mjohnson2981 on Fri June 26, 2009 3:33 PM User is offline

Year: 2003
Make: Ford
Model: Explorer
Engine Size: 4.0
Refrigerant Type: R134a

I looked at a 03 explorer yesterday that had about 15psi of compressor flutter on an antiflutter gauge (at about 220 psi). From my experience this is a compressor problem. As I've never worked with a scroll compressor and the parts catalog says this unit could be, I just want to make sure that this is not typical. Flutter is always bad, correct?

Thanks.

mk378 on Fri June 26, 2009 4:35 PM User is offline

Expect some on a scroll compressor. They eject gas only once per revolution. It's a thumpa thumpa effect especially at idle.

On a multi-cylinder compressor it could indicate a bad valve on one of the cylinders, but you'd need to compare to a known-good compressor of the same model to decide how much "flutter" is bad.

cross6 on Sun June 28, 2009 2:14 AM User is offline

It's normal - from the ford manual:


NOTE: Vehicles equipped with Visteon fixed scroll A/C compressors may experience rapid refrigerant high side pressure fluctuations upon cold startups and/or after refrigerant system recharges. These high side refrigerant fluctuations are characteristic of the Visteon fixed scroll compressor and not an indication of a failing/failed A/C compressor.

cross6 on Sun June 28, 2009 2:18 AM User is offline

Hey, can you do me a huge favor?!?!


On your truck, when the ac is on and engine idleing, does your high pressure hose with the port on it vibrate? If you put oyur hand on it do you feel a pulsing/thumping?


It would really help with my problem on my truck.

mjohnson2981 on Sun June 28, 2009 3:50 PM User is offline


Thanks for the information. This isn't my vehicle, but I expect to see it back in a couple weeks to try and trace a leak. I'll let you know then, if it's not too late.

Thanks again!

Back to Automotive Air Conditioning Forum

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Copyright © 2016 Arizona Mobile Air Inc.