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Excessive air compressor noise in cold

Firstlast

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I wanted to inquire if anyone else is experiencing excessive compressor noise in the cold. My R1T is set to the standard ride height (no kneel mode) since I installed my running board. However since it's been cold, I hear my compressor running randomly for 2-3 min stretches. This behavior was not present prior to the change or weather.
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SD858

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I wanted to inquire if anyone else is experiencing excessive compressor noise in the cold. My R1T is set to the standard ride height (no kneel mode) since I installed my running board. However since it's been cold, I hear my compressor running randomly for 2-3 min stretches. This behavior was not present prior to the change or weather.
I live in San diego. I would say it's been colder than average here but I'm talking like 50°. However my compressor runs Non-Stop and it's extremely annoying.
 

teartags

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ALL compressors are louder in the cold weather. They don't like it much.
Yes, my R1T follows that rule too.
 

Redline

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My compressor was indeed louder in -5 to -10 weather. It is no longer doing it though.
 

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ksujeff99

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TL/DR: It’s normal in my experience. Don’t worry.

In cold weather, e.g. single digits here in KC, my air compressor short cycles. Even if not changing heights, it’ll run for 15-30 seconds, stop for 30 seconds, run again for 10-15 seconds, stop for a bit and then maybe run one more time. My assumption is that it’s related to a cold-soaked air tank, hot air coming in from the compressor, and maybe less accuracy in the pressure gauge in cold weather.

This is my 2nd winter with my R1T and the behavior is consistent. I don’t see it on every cold drive - just occasionally. It never does it in warm weather.
 
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SparkyR1t

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In Chicago and it has been in single digits during day and significantly below zero after sunset. Having same issue compressor running when I do not expect it and suspension height adjustments occurring randomly. I assume extreme cold the root cause truck is in garage overnite
 

Blueassassin

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Mine was doing it when we were in the sub zero temps so glad to see i'm not the only one. I would assume on top of the fact the air is much denser you probably have a lot of other factors like the rubber isolators are probably rock solid and not isolating and whatever sound deadening is also probably frozen and not absorbing sound as well.

The cold sucks why do I live in Chicago?
 

sherold

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I would describe this as normal, both the louder compressor sound and more frequent running of the compressor.

1.) When it is colder, materials shrink, especially metals, which is what the compressor is made out of. The clearance between mating parts in the compressor increases and, the parts essentially have more room to move than before, especially if the materials are different. This leads to louder operation as the parts are not operating at their designed temperature. (Most dimensional inspections are done between 69-72°F if managed by common standards IIRC). This can also lead to increased wear of said parts. Once they warm up, all is well but, that isn't always possible in the temps that some of us are experiencing right now.

2.) Imagine the air in your suspension system at a given temp, say 45°F if you park in an unheated garage. You pull outside into 0°F weather and the air in the system starts to shrink/compress as it also reduces to ambient temp. The suspension lowers as a result and a sensor triggers it to fill with more air from the storage tank to raise it back to the set height. The tank then becomes discharged below its minimum threshold and the compressor kicks on to refill it. Depending on how low the tank was initially, what the change in temperature is, wind, drive time, etc. this can cause this cycle to happen several time as all materials and the air in the suspension acclimates to the surrounding environment.

Just because something is designed to operate in various temperatures does not mean it will operate optimally in various temperatures.
 
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Firstlast

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Thank you all for easing my concerns. Have new baby on the way and don't have the time nor energy to deal with my trash SC.
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