air conditioning

Hi can anyone help me please

I have an 1993 850 volvo estate. When I put my air conditioning on there is a significant reduction of power in the engine. For example at traffic lights it feels like I am pulling away in second gear. If I turn the air conditioning off the car returns to full power and then when I turn it back on the car suffers the reduction in power again.

Has anyone got any ideas???

Carl

[warthog]

Carl,

has your a/c any history of servicing or work being done? If the compressor is drawing that much power could it be starting to seize? (or perhaps it has and the clutch is slipping)

[imac]

>Carl,
>
>has your a/c any history of servicing or work being done? If
>the compressor is drawing that much power could it be starting
>to seize? (or perhaps it has and the clutch is slipping)

I concur with this. In our manual estate the aircon takes a noticable amount of power from the engine and also reduces fuel economy a fair whack too (estimate with the A/C on it averages about 18 to the gallon compared with about 25 to the gallon without A/C).

In my T5 (auto) estate, I do not feel any difference in power whatsoever and my fuel consumption is a marginal 1-2mpg difference over the tank. My compressor was replaced 12 months ago.

I'd go with a dodgy compressor...