2000 S70 AC Causing Abnormal Engine Operation

geokilla · Post by **geokilla** » 25 May 2015, 22:14

I know the AC clutch needs to be shimmed. I also know I have an evaporator core leak. Both problems I cannot fix by myself because I have little to no experience on fixing cars and the last thing I want to do is break it so I can't go to work. However, lately I'm noticing that turning on the AC may cause abnormal engine operation. Has anyone experienced this type of abnormal engine behaviour caused by the AC?

When the AC is on, my car operates in an abnormal state where there is more power and the revs are significantly higher than normal. It is kind of hard to describe so I'll use the following example.

AC off and slowing down from speed to 0Km/H
Transmission downshifts as normal and engine makes little to no power until I come to a complete stop. Can't feel the car accelerating forward or attempt to gradually pick up speed.

Usual AC on operation and slowing down from speed to 0Km/H
Same as above when the AC is off. Engine revolutions are slightly higher but that's it.

AC operation as of late and slowing down from speed to 0Km/H
Engine revolutions are even higher than normal. Engine is making power and is accelerating the car faster than normal. Looking at the speedometer, the car will pick up speed faster than normal over time. The engine noise gives it away too.

Given that our suspicions are correct about the AC system, I guess it is time to junk the car? To get a mechanic to fix it, sealing the leak in the evaporator core and fixing the AC clutch is easily $500 or more. My car is literally worth next to nothing up here according to Kijiji and dealers. Add that my steering and rear brakes are groaning a lot now, it's kind of sad I have to make this sort of decision.

draser · Post by **draser** » 26 May 2015, 06:19

If the car runs and gets you from A to B, and you can put up with no AC then drive it until it quits, and save for the replacement. To your questions, normally idle goes up when AC on, but your clutch may not engage, so it's hard to explain what's going on there.

Post by **abscate** » 26 May 2015, 06:28

A car that is inspectable is worth 2000 as transportation, without AC

The two months you need AC in Toronto are almost up, too.

If it isn't using coolant or oil, keep driving it. Fix brakes and front end looseness, if any. Those are consumables, like tires and gas.

Herb Goltz · Post by **Herb Goltz** » 26 May 2015, 11:09

I wouldn't give up yet! How do you know the AC clutch needs to be shimmed? As for the evaporator leak, most of us have one of those. You can buy a can of refrigerant with a cheap fill hose at Crappy Tire or Partsource (it's not 134a, you need a license for that in Ontario, but it will get your AC working again-- or take a road trip to Niagara Falls, grab r134a for $12.99 a can, and grab brake parts while you are there-- $15 for rear brake pads instead of $50 in Toronto!). For the steering groan, the first suspect is the need for grease on the control arm pads where they hit the stops (a dab of grease on each-- you don't have to jack the car up). Worst case on the back brakes is calipers, pads and rotors. Take it to an independent shop for a brake inspection and repair estimate. I agree with abscate, brakes are consumables. If money is tight, you can even pick up good calipers at a pick and pull.

Good luck!

geokilla · Post by **geokilla** » 26 May 2015, 20:42

draser wrote:If the car runs and gets you from A to B, and you can put up with no AC then drive it until it quits, and save for the replacement. To your questions, normally idle goes up when AC on, but your clutch may not engage, so it's hard to explain what's going on there.

What replacement? I got student loans to repay. It's all a game of balance lol

Plus a new Kia Forte for $18k OTR is awfully appealing to a broke student. More so than a Golf that I had set my sights on.

I know idle is slightly higher when the AC is on. However it's actually accelerating which is very weird and abnormal. The AC clutch definitely has a larger than normal gap so it needs to be shimmed. Evaporator core is leaking because I've been recharging the AC system once or twice every summer now. Can't live with AC.

abscate wrote:A car that is inspectable is worth 2000 as transportation, without AC

It's not. See Kijiji pricing.

Herb Goltz wrote:I wouldn't give up yet! How do you know the AC clutch needs to be shimmed? As for the evaporator leak, most of us have one of those. You can buy a can of refrigerant with a cheap fill hose at Crappy Tire or Partsource (it's not 134a, you need a license for that in Ontario, but it will get your AC working again-- or take a road trip to Niagara Falls, grab r134a for $12.99 a can, and grab brake parts while you are there-- $15 for rear brake pads instead of $50 in Toronto!). For the steering groan, the first suspect is the need for grease on the control arm pads where they hit the stops (a dab of grease on each-- you don't have to jack the car up). Worst case on the back brakes is calipers, pads and rotors. Take it to an independent shop for a brake inspection and repair estimate. I agree with abscate, brakes are consumables. If money is tight, you can even pick up good calipers at a pick and pull.

I don't have steering stops anymore and the brake pads have tons of life left so it's groaning somewhere else. I guess it won't hurt to try and apply grease though.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 26 May 2015, 20:46

Learn to fix it? It sounds like you don't have much to lose so why not give it a go? Best case, problem(s) get fixed, worst case things remain broken.

Post by **abscate** » 27 May 2015, 03:15

Tough love coming.... but if you can't work on cars yourself and are limited in funds these are not the cars for you. The Golf won't be either.

They are luxury cars that are expensive to fix at either independents or dealers...that's why this Forum exists...it is full of cheapskates like me who change their own oil and spend 12 hours replacing an evap core rather than paying people to do this.

Post by **E Showell** » 27 May 2015, 04:00

+1 on Steve's thoughts. These aren't really cars you can run on a student's budget if you don't have time to pull used parts at a junkyard and the know-how to work on them (or the time and willingness to acquire the knowledge and the scraped knuckles that come with it).

If you have to pay an independent or dealer to do most or all of the work you need, then these cars will bleed you dry.

geokilla · Post by **geokilla** » 01 Jun 2015, 14:13

abscate wrote:Tough love coming.... but if you can't work on cars yourself and are limited in funds these are not the cars for you. The Golf won't be either.

They are luxury cars that are expensive to fix at either independents or dealers...that's why this Forum exists...it is full of cheapskates like me who change their own oil and spend 12 hours replacing an evap core rather than paying people to do this.

The Golf is new so I got warranty. Honestly, I don't think any new car is cheap to fix anymore unless I get myself a Toyota Corolla, which the answer is a strong no. With how technologically advanced cars are getting, even a simple oil change will cost at least $60 now.

Getting scraped knuckles and learning is one thing. Being able to do it and not worry about killing the car is another. If I break it, who can I ask to revive it? Probably no one..

Post by **abscate** » 03 Jun 2015, 04:13

If you stay with us here, we won't let you break ypur car. These cars are tough, much tougher than Asian stuff.

Buying a new car with student loans out vs a non-depreciating used car is something to think about. The money you "save" on repairs goes to the next owner in the form of depreciation.