AC= Big Block fuel mileage and NO POWER!

350rs · 08-09-2009, 10:15 PM

now i know turning on your AC is going to kill power and mileage a little bit. But this is like i just attached a 10,000 pound trailer to my car when i turn it on. I need to give it WAAAY more throttle to get nowhere basically. If i run into a decent hill, i need to turn it off so i dont lose all my speed. I dont hear a belt squealing or anything, so my thought isnt that i have a bad compressor or clutch on it.

I almost never use my ac, but today was almost 100 degrees so i wanted it. Blows cold as ice, but robs way too much power and mileage. Or is this just how this car is? Let me know your ideas and ill see what i can do.

lone_wolf025 · 08-09-2009, 10:49 PM

I do notice a slight drop in power when running the A/C but it shouldn't affect your mileage too terribly bad. Actually, on the highway at least, it's often better for mileage than having your windows open. If you're seeing huge power drops with it on then something is amiss.

cardude007617 · 08-09-2009, 11:14 PM

i used to notice it too quite a bit so i never used it unless i absolutely had to :/. i also noticed the significant (watch the needle drop) mpg hit as well. maybe its just a GA thang.

AaronGTR · 08-09-2009, 11:17 PM

I notice very little difference with mine on. I can hear it load the engine a bit at idle, but thats normal when you place more drag on the engine at such low rpm. At cruising rpm I don't even notice it, and when you go into PE mode the pcm disengages the compressor clutch so you won't lose any power under heavy acceleration.

350rs · 08-10-2009, 01:49 PM

maybe im just special then. If the darn compressor assembly wasnt so expensive i would just replace it..

To give you an idea. i went about 20 miles of mixed high and minimal city. Most the time cruising at 50ish. And i used a smidge over 1/8th tank according to the gauge. Thats WAAAAAY to much to me. Considering i can make that same trip ( to work and back) twice before i begin to notice a difference in the position, let alone that much lost.

SSRacer · 08-10-2009, 01:58 PM

Something definitely sounds amiss there

350rs · 08-10-2009, 02:25 PM

yea, thats what im saying. The engine is SUPER loaded which is where the poor mileage and no power comes from. If its off the car runs great. But whats strange to me, is that the RPM's at idle are no different with the AC on or off.

SSRacer · 08-10-2009, 02:54 PM

How many miles and when was the last tune up / service to anything related to the engine?

350rs · 08-10-2009, 04:56 PM

i did a full tuneup not even 5k ago. Plugs, wires, oil, PCV, and O2 sensors. Air filter i did about 10k. brakes i did about 10k as well, so they arent dragging or anything.

Im half considering getting a used 3.4 out of a junkyard and rebuilding it with some MILD performance parts.. that way ive got some power plus a new engine to tinker with. Shouldnt give me problems like this one.

SSRacer · 08-10-2009, 06:08 PM

fuel filter?

350rs · 08-10-2009, 07:01 PM

yea, did that too. I always forget that.

1/2dolla · 08-10-2009, 11:08 PM

take the belt off and make sure the ac clutch pulley spins freely or if the bearings have seized

rocketfast123 · 08-11-2009, 12:35 AM

I don't care about mpg as long as my a/c works. Windows never go down in my car. Today was a hot one, 105 and what felt like 100% humidity. But getting back to the topic. You have the a/c going, both rad fans are running on high to cool the car and you. Also their is a insane amount of heat under your hood. If your car is not use to running under said loads it will feel dead. Drive around with the a/c on for a little so your car can learn how to work under the load.

The worst mpg I got was 14mpg last summer. And i have 2.4. But as the days went on I was able to get 18mpg.

350rs · 08-11-2009, 03:50 PM

Well i just landed a new job, so this car is gonna be gone in the next year. And since summer is cooling down, i will just deal with it.

350rs · 08-13-2009, 02:35 PM

ok this isnt AC related. The car shudders and barely moves under acceleration untill it hits about 2000 rmps or more. and if it gets over 3500 there is a TERRIBLE rattle and screaching sound. Ideas?

Still no power, in fact its wayyy less now since when i posted. And its not throwing a single code..

lone_wolf025 · 08-13-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 350rs

ok this isnt AC related. The car shudders and barely moves under acceleration untill it hits about 2000 rmps or more. and if it gets over 3500 there is a TERRIBLE rattle and screaching sound. Ideas?

Still no power, in fact its wayyy less now since when i posted. And its not throwing a single code..

Have you checked your belt and tensioner? Its possible that the belt it being ratcheted down super tight causing excess drag on the engine.

350rs · 08-13-2009, 02:53 PM

well my EGR is deffinatly leaking. but im not going to waste my time and money replaceing that if i have bigger fish to fry. Think it could be causeing the rattle somehow?

lone_wolf025 · 08-13-2009, 02:59 PM

Its possible. Could be a cause for your power issues. Is the EGR itself leaking or is it the tube that takes the exhaust up from the headers?

350rs · 08-13-2009, 03:06 PM

im thinkin EGR itself. I dont see how the tube would be effected. Only time it has ever moved is when i did the LIM. I messed around with it a bit when i got to work before i went in. When i move the throttle when parked by hand there is deffinatly a leak around there.

350rs · 08-13-2009, 06:50 PM

we have deduced that the leak is from VERY CLOGGED CAT!! There is almost NO exhause flow at the tail pipes. We compared to my dads Lumina with a 3.1 ( which should have less right?) and it was WAAAAAAY more. Imagine taking a desk fan and putting it on low, thats about all i was getting. When he would rev it up a bit i heard a loud rattle ( heres the sorce) and it was directly below me. So i looked under the car to see the cat shakin about like it was about to explode..

so im going to replace that most likely. Whats stock size for the pipe? 2 1/4?

08-09-2009, 10:15 PM	#1
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	AC= Big Block fuel mileage and NO POWER! now i know turning on your AC is going to kill power and mileage a little bit. But this is like i just attached a 10,000 pound trailer to my car when i turn it on. I need to give it WAAAY more throttle to get nowhere basically. If i run into a decent hill, i need to turn it off so i dont lose all my speed. I dont hear a belt squealing or anything, so my thought isnt that i have a bad compressor or clutch on it. I almost never use my ac, but today was almost 100 degrees so i wanted it. Blows cold as ice, but robs way too much power and mileage. Or is this just how this car is? Let me know your ideas and ill see what i can do.

08-09-2009, 11:14 PM	#3
cardude007617 mmm turbo boost AKA: Paul Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Milwaukee WI Age: 31 Posts: 4,870 Vehicle: 2005 WRX Sedan 5 Speed	i used to notice it too quite a bit so i never used it unless i absolutely had to :/. i also noticed the significant (watch the needle drop) mpg hit as well. maybe its just a GA thang. __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2565053 -2005 World Rally Blue Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan: Tanabe Touring 3in catback, ERZ bellmouth catted downpipe, catless uppipe, SPT Pink springs, SPT short shifter, SPT intake, stereo, Cobb Accessport stage II, Prosport boost/oil temp/volt gauges, 35%, 17x8 Rota Torques, F/R strut braces It's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.

08-09-2009, 11:17 PM	#4
AaronGTR BlingWithBallz AKA: Aaron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Detroit area, MI Age: 43 Posts: 12,254 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT1 2dr	I notice very little difference with mine on. I can hear it load the engine a bit at idle, but thats normal when you place more drag on the engine at such low rpm. At cruising rpm I don't even notice it, and when you go into PE mode the pcm disengages the compressor clutch so you won't lose any power under heavy acceleration. __________________ The few, the proud, the boosted! 13.788 @ 103.73 mph (3/2011) 320 whp and 300 ft/lbs torque. (3/2011) See it here. the total package.

08-10-2009, 01:58 PM	#6
SSRacer Speed Racer AKA: Sean Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somewhere Age: 43 Posts: 1,440 Vehicle: 2002 Grand Am GT Sedan	Something definitely sounds amiss there __________________ 2002 Pontiac Grand Am GT1 http://cardomain.com/id/ssgohan Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive. If it ain't broke, don't Microsoft it.

08-10-2009, 02:54 PM	#8
SSRacer Speed Racer AKA: Sean Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somewhere Age: 43 Posts: 1,440 Vehicle: 2002 Grand Am GT Sedan	How many miles and when was the last tune up / service to anything related to the engine? __________________ 2002 Pontiac Grand Am GT1 http://cardomain.com/id/ssgohan Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive. If it ain't broke, don't Microsoft it.

08-10-2009, 01:49 PM	#5
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	maybe im just special then. If the darn compressor assembly wasnt so expensive i would just replace it.. To give you an idea. i went about 20 miles of mixed high and minimal city. Most the time cruising at 50ish. And i used a smidge over 1/8th tank according to the gauge. Thats WAAAAAY to much to me. Considering i can make that same trip ( to work and back) twice before i begin to notice a difference in the position, let alone that much lost.

08-10-2009, 02:25 PM	#7
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	yea, thats what im saying. The engine is SUPER loaded which is where the poor mileage and no power comes from. If its off the car runs great. But whats strange to me, is that the RPM's at idle are no different with the AC on or off.

08-10-2009, 04:56 PM	#9
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	i did a full tuneup not even 5k ago. Plugs, wires, oil, PCV, and O2 sensors. Air filter i did about 10k. brakes i did about 10k as well, so they arent dragging or anything. Im half considering getting a used 3.4 out of a junkyard and rebuilding it with some MILD performance parts.. that way ive got some power plus a new engine to tinker with. Shouldnt give me problems like this one.

08-10-2009, 06:08 PM	#10
SSRacer Speed Racer AKA: Sean Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somewhere Age: 43 Posts: 1,440 Vehicle: 2002 Grand Am GT Sedan	fuel filter? __________________ 2002 Pontiac Grand Am GT1 http://cardomain.com/id/ssgohan Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive. If it ain't broke, don't Microsoft it.

08-10-2009, 07:01 PM	#11
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	yea, did that too. I always forget that.

08-10-2009, 11:08 PM	#12
1/2dolla GAGT - Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Henderson Posts: 157 Vehicle: 2001GT1coupe	take the belt off and make sure the ac clutch pulley spins freely or if the bearings have seized

08-11-2009, 03:50 PM	#14
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	Well i just landed a new job, so this car is gonna be gone in the next year. And since summer is cooling down, i will just deal with it.

08-13-2009, 02:35 PM	#15
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	ok this isnt AC related. The car shudders and barely moves under acceleration untill it hits about 2000 rmps or more. and if it gets over 3500 there is a TERRIBLE rattle and screaching sound. Ideas? Still no power, in fact its wayyy less now since when i posted. And its not throwing a single code..

08-13-2009, 02:53 PM	#17
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	well my EGR is deffinatly leaking. but im not going to waste my time and money replaceing that if i have bigger fish to fry. Think it could be causeing the rattle somehow?

08-13-2009, 03:06 PM	#19
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	im thinkin EGR itself. I dont see how the tube would be effected. Only time it has ever moved is when i did the LIM. I messed around with it a bit when i got to work before i went in. When i move the throttle when parked by hand there is deffinatly a leak around there.

08-13-2009, 06:50 PM	#20
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	we have deduced that the leak is from VERY CLOGGED CAT!! There is almost NO exhause flow at the tail pipes. We compared to my dads Lumina with a 3.1 ( which should have less right?) and it was WAAAAAAY more. Imagine taking a desk fan and putting it on low, thats about all i was getting. When he would rev it up a bit i heard a loud rattle ( heres the sorce) and it was directly below me. So i looked under the car to see the cat shakin about like it was about to explode.. so im going to replace that most likely. Whats stock size for the pipe? 2 1/4?

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