Ok so I have a 98 Civic Ex, I know that when using AC on this car I should expect some power loss. Well my car suffers a Huge noticeable power loss when I turn on the AC. The power loss seems to go on and off very consistently. I know it's not because the car just doesn't have enough power because I just installed a turbo kit and same problem. The car's power is cut in half and very annoying when it comes and goes. If you guys have any ideas please let me know. Thanks in advance for any help!!!

 

most hondas thats common what block ? but it doesent usually hit that bad you should test your alt and batterie thats just my oppinion

 

It's a stock y8, I just replaced the battery and the alternator was my next thing that I was thinking about, but wasn't sure if that would be a cause.

 

Check A/C charge level, it's possible that your engine's trying to pump a ridiculous amount of R-134a around.

 

who needs a/c anyways! ha

 

x2

 

LOL A/c will save your life in the 100+ degree summer days. If this is your daily driver than yah..you should get it looked at.

 

having your engine bay look cooler and car lighter is not worth the soaking wet t-shirt while driving in triple digit heat...that's my opinion.

 

lol good one i rather be the one with all my windows up with out breakin a sweat. nice

 

A/C on a Honda = killswitch

 

lol guys hating on the A/C (not you, OP)... it doesn't take that much power, and if you're DD'ing it you barely even notice.

OP, if you notice that it's more power loss than normal, have an A/C inspection done.

 

x2

 

haha well i live in washington and it NEVER gets that hot. so im good with no a/c

 

move to texas and that will change REAL quick...

 

thats a shame...

 

Your kidding right? A/C on a d series engine absolutely kills the horsepower; not that d series engines have much power to begin with which really drives home my pervious statement. Take a 100hp engine, take away 10-12hp and that is a huge difference.

 

err, i know how much it takes away... it's just that relative to what you're doing with the car (daily driving... shifting at 3k, etc.) it doesn't matter. What are you doing for DD that requires the 10-12 HP you lose?


If you want that extra power, turn off the A/C for the moment being. It doesn't take enough power when the compressor clutch is disengaged for it to be worth removing, unless you just want the extra space in the engine bay and to save some weight, or if you're not DD'ing the car.

 

It's possible that the compressor is on its way out and is slowing down the motor.

 

Since we're on the subject of D's with AC:

On my DD, (99 CX) occasionally at a stoplight/sign it will surge, and rev up,down,up,down like a vac leak. Any ideas?

Car was wrecked a while back and AC has since been fixed,recharged,etc.

 

How much surging is it? (in RPMs)

 

This was what I was just told by someone else too. I heard a screetching noise coming from the compressor side while I was driving a couple of weeks ago.

 

It's not so much surging, but idle will drop like about 1k and power will be cut like in half for about 1 min or less and then go back to normal. That will repeat the whole time the ac is on, even on the freeway. It's a day and night difference.

 

Wow, even while you're driving?

Might be some kind of problem with the A/C fan.

 

If it was a problem with the A/C fan it wouldn't hurt his performance unless it was overloading the alternator.

 

i drive a 98 LX and i never felt much power loss with a\c on