I almost NEVER use my AC due to the fact that I have a cabrio (although other drivers in the fam do). I did however have it on yesterday and the car started to vibrate a little bit. Is this normal? Is this just the nature of the beast or something?

I did just get a cat-back installed a week ago, but I don't remember whether it was vibrating before. Does anyone have any ideas of why it's vibrating? Is this normal? Thanks in advance...

Note: It does not vibrate w/o the AC on, just to clarify. This pretty much eliminates the exhaust rubbing a heat shield, brace, etc.

 

Mine definitely vibrates more with the A/C on.
More noticeable since I put in some Powerflex engine mount bushings.
I only put in the lower mount large inserts (both) and just one of the
upper mount large inserts.

 

Thanks for the input. This is the only car that feels significantly different with the AC on, that I've owned at least.

 

Mine takes a bit more of the gas pedal to get it going with the A/C on. In fact, it recently started making some low pitched howling sound when it first starts up. Weird. I want to get it looked at soon...doesn't affect anything driving, but it's more aggravating.

 

Mine does that too somewhat (w/ no real mods). I had a 96 saturn that did that too

 

Having the A/C on definitley saps some power. That, and the fact that I have a cabrio= no A/C on. This also means slightly better engine cooling as well.

 

Def increased vibration with the A/C compressor kicked in. Try the poly steering rack bushing and you will shake shimy and roll! LOL!

 

It really shouldn't vibrate with the A/C on unless you've done certain modifications. The issue of slow take off comes down to the lack of any real low-down torque especially on naturally-aspirated Coopers.

I recently installed an engine torque damper and had no vibration problems until I had to use the A/C and to be honest, it rendered the car undrivable at idle as the vibration was so bad. The damper will be off during the Summer and back on during the cooler weather or on track days. I could see the same sort of things by changing the bushings referenced in this thread.

Good Luck!

 

My '06 MC goes in to the dealership this Friday...first time I put the ac on all I got was heat (?). Next day, tried it again and got cold air for about five minutes, then a very noticeable, intermittent engine noise/whine would kick in, noticeably affecting the power delivery (?). Something is not right.
I have also had the steering fluid pump replaced (at 4500 km when I took it in early for a first oil change). Hope this is the end of mechanical issues with this car. Warranty or not, I get concerned when too many issues crop up early with a new vehicle (mine only has 9000kms on it).

 

Thanks for all of the advice!

Flick: It sounds like your compressor might be bad. I'm not a whiz on A/C technicalities, as you can see, but you might want to get that checked out.

 

MINIFVR...yep, from what I have read on this site, it probably is the compressor. What bugs me is how these things can fail on a brand new vehicle!? Oh well, take it in and have it repaired under warranty and hope it stays fixed after that.

 

I had an issue like this that I really overthought. I thought...HMMMM Compressor, bushings, mods....ect... I took it up to Mini and they could not figure it out. I ran the car in the garage and noticed that the cooling fan comes on when the A/C is on no matter what. I had a FSE from mini meet me at the dealership and sure enough it was the fan. Some little balance weight had come off causing the car to vibrate with the A/C on... Hope this helps.. If all else fails check the fan..

L