When I have the A/C on, there seems to be noticeably more drag on the powertrain, causing the car to slow down faster than I expect even in high gear. When shifting with the A/C on, the engine revs-down just enough faster between shifts that when I close the clutch the engine RPMs are a little lower than the clutch RPMs, producing that "nice" jerking sensation upon completing the shift. The effect seems to be stronger when the A/C has been running longer and the compressor is hotter.

Anyone else notice a similar effect? I'm super-sensitive to changes in my cars' performance, this could be perfectly normal and I'm just noticing it now, but I wanted to get some third-person input.

 

Well it is natural (normal) for the Compressor to cycle on and off..for how long depends on demand ...eg, inside temp when tuned on, etc, etc...all elementary stuff.

And yes, I can tell when clutch is engaged or not for compressor.

But to be frank, I never noticed it as an "issue", yes it will drain power...all of them do, unless you have a 5.0 litre V8 or similar.

When it is stinking hot, I take it easy with the car anyway, I don't run it at high RPM for sustained periods or overload the AC...but that is just me I guess...and I am not talking babying...just being sensible.

I recall a guy here once with an early Series 1 going through 3 compressors under warranty (same parts used in S2)...THREE!!!!...what the hell is this guy doing...and I guess it, extreme high RPM's in boiling hot temps with AC on.

I guess there are some with engineering/mechanical empathy and those without..

Go outside and while car is idle turn AC on and hear compressor cut in, if it is rattling or a griding knocking type noise you "may" have a seizing Comp, or on the way out.

Sorry, I really cant offer anymore...I guess it is cold enough?...perhap others may help.

 

Occasionally when the A/C first turns on I'll hear the drive belt chirp. I figured it was a loose or dirty belt, but I suppose the compressor could be working on seizing up. In any event, I'm sure I'll notice pretty quickly if that's what happens.

My car seems to like hot weather. I'm sure the A/C isn't thrilled about it, but the engine always seems to run better when it's sweltering outside. I used to joke that the thermometer doubled as the MPG meter when I switched it to readout in Celsius.

 

Perhaps a trip to your friendly Mazda Dealer if you think you have a issue with AC or Compressor??

Be careful with these belts, make sure they are NOT overtightened...VERY important.

 

yes, AC does suck some of the power. I can clearly feel the engine is not as powerful when AC is on. oh well.

 

My a/c compressor was replaced after I reported a strange noise that I thought sounded like a exhaust/engine heat shield rattling. They came back and said that one of the bearings in the a/c compressor pulley was bad and it was replaced. That was at 9k miles.

 

I just recently noticed this noise also on my all stock 2010 GT (22k miles) when my compressor turns on.. its faint but sounds like a piece of poster board hitting a fan and raises/lowers with the RPMs.. completely stops when the compressor turns off. Took it to the dealer yesterday, and they "could not replicate the sound".. had my service mgr sit in the passenger seat, and he said he could hear a little rattle but it was completely normal. I have a hard time thinking that noise, although faint, is normal. It was 90deg outside though and he claimed there was a lot of heat which would make everything "work a little harder".. my warranty is up in July, so Id like to get it fixed if it indeed is a problem. You can only hear it when sitting in the car with the door shut, revving and holding it around 3-4k while ac cycles on/off. not noticeable when driving or idling, except I can barely hear it in 1st gear if i hold it in 1st and listen. Its def not a normal noise.. this is my 2nd rx8.. ive never heard this noise.

I was driving a friend around no radio and shifting really slow so they could hear the awesome engine, and noticed the noise.. had I not have been paying attention, or had the radio on as usual, id never have heard it. Just a concern with warranty expiring, and reading posts, ac compressors/clutches are an expensive fix.

Any feedback appreciated. I have another dealer around 50 mins away (vic bailey/spartanburg) I could take it to but they suck worse than my local one (john finger).

Thanks
Jase

---
2010 RX8 Sparkling Black Mica Grand Touring
2006 MX5 Galaxy Grey Grand Touring
2004 RX8 Brilliant Black- SOLD 56,000k

 

You ought to be able to observe the compressor misbehaving with the car parked, the hood open, and the A/C running. If there's a persistent noise, listening without the hood in the way will make it really easy to hear. If you can't hear anything with the hood open, then the sound you hear in the cabin is probably normal operating sounds reverberating through the frame of the car.

 

I do get a noticeable clunk when the compressor engages. Just recently I noticed a squeal as well. Sounds like I might need to take a closer look. 2010 RX-8 sport, just out of the 3yr warranty period now

 

That sounds like the noise I traced to the transmission input shaft, see my thread here:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-te...-kicks-246829/

I finally got a video recording of the sound, but I probably won't have a chance to post it til next week.