We've had a couple 100+ degree days here and I've noticed when I have the AC maxed out it seems to use a significant amount of the engine power. Is this normal? For example, my driveway is pretty steep, and when it's cooler, I can make it up in second gear. Today, with the AC maxed out, it wouldn't even go, and my speed actually started dropping, even when I shoved the throttle down until I put it in first. I've also noticed around town I have to press the gas a good amount harder when it's really hot, and rev it out further while merging onto the freeway; it doesn't seem to be nearly as peppy. It also feels easier to bog down and like I have to give it a bit more gas from a dead stop to keep it from stalling. I know that the ac compressor does use some engine power, but is this normal? I always thought it was something like 4-5% power, something you would barely notice. Is this normal or is something not working right in my car?

 

Mine does the same thing, and i think it might be A bad expansion valve check that

 

An air conditioner that can support 24,000 BTU/hr (1 ton) will require 9.4 HP.

But I do not know the specifics for the Mini, so that number is low range for automobiles simply because the volume and overall size of the Mini are modest.

Should be ballpark though, and it's more than I expected.

Cheers,

Charlie

https://www.hunker.com/13407181/how-...ditioning-unit
https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread...erage-auto-A-C

 

Yeah, the AC is also ridiculously weak compared to other cars I've driven/ridden in. Don't know if it has any relevance. It stays cool and strong once I get moving for a little bit but after a while it seems like it almost gets tired and doesn't want to do its job anymore.

 

I see, I didn't think 10 hp would be that noticeable, but who knows.

 

For an elderly "Justa" thats probably 10% or more of whatever is left of the original 115 horse

 

Haha, I have a r53 though with a 15% pulley reduction. My friend has an r56 justa and he complains about the ac sucking all the power, but I didn't expect to notice it in my car with the more powerful motor.

 

The original Gollum back in 2004 evolved into a real STX car, and the dumbest change was A/C delete. My son and I went to a Shelby gathering at VIR with weather in excess of 90 degrees for three days, and my offspring busted my b*lls unmercifully the whole time. Gollum IV has 256 hp and an operable A/C system which I have used a few times in the last almost three years. It has gone ON while I am sitting in grid on a sweltering airfield waiting for a run, but it is surely OFF before I pull to the line.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

I have a r50 and r53
i would change the expansion valve first , mine shut down on me today cuz it was so ****ing hot lol, i live in Vegas , we hit 110f today was working fine then stopped , turned it on and off and it worked again (signs of my own ac exp prob going out) So i would suggest you change that first, cheaper route