Now that it's summer and temps are getting higher, I'm using the AC all the time. I've noticed considerable performace issues when it's on. I have no power and car is very sluggish, especially when sitting in traffic or starting off from a red light. It's like it's not hitting on all 'Cylinders' and really ******* down. When I turn the AC off, the performance returns back to normal. Has anyone delt with this before? I looked for a similar thread on this but couldn't find one.
Thanks in adavance for any advice.

 

Sounds like you need to take your car in to Mazda Dealer let them do a "Proto type re-flash" then they will tell you; Oh yeah your going to be getting a new Engine. But its not "New" its a rebuild.

 

Look here
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/bad-power-loss-92390/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/so-who-belongs-new-engine-club-68582/
Oh yeah this one too
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/

 

I just have to point out that "cylinders" is something that the Renesis does NOT have

If you have an AT, it *might* be the known problem....

 

I know that my 6sp is still quite peppy with the A/C on. Sometimes it feels as if it has more power with it on (even though we all know that can't be the case), guessing the engine likes to have a little bit of load on it.

 

Nope. What the human body actually feels as "acceleration" is the first differential of the power curve, i.e. the angle of the power curve. So, if the A/C makes the power curve slope more intensely, then you would feel a better "acceleration", while in fact you would feel sharper changes (increases or decreases)....

 

AC takes up power. It happens on all cars.

 

Thanks for the heads up but I was using it as a catch phrase, hence the quotes around the word.
-Cheers

 

...no, this is SERIOUS decreaase in power. I'm hearing rattling from the engine and no acceleration whatsoever.

 

^ Ok, then it looks like you outta get that checked out. Let us know the results. BTW, are you sure that the rattling from the engine doesn't normally exist? You should check out: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ngine+rattling
Its not uncommon for a car to be bogged down due to AC, but you should check it out regardless.

BTW, I get rattling from the engine from time to time on my car, but I don't have anything worth reporting to the dealer.

 

I'll keep you posted....thanks for the heads up on the link too. It's def. a qwirky car but gotta love it. Back to the dealer again I suppose...

 

I do remember now that when I had a leak in the low pressure side of my A/C system it caused the compressor to cycle on and off very rapidly and this bogged the car down big time.

 

Off topic, but hey cmando, what type of roof-rack is that? I've been looking for a way to carry bikes on the 8 for a while.

Re your overheating/AC issue, try removing the engine cover - its just a useless chunk of plastic anyway that traps heat over the engine. Make sure the AC grid is not damaged too - its mounted right under the car and on the older models has no protection, so is prone to getting hit by rocks. If it got hit, maybe some freon leaked out and the pump is going gangbusters to keep the pressure up.

 

the cover actually directs air over the engine to aid in cooling

 

Unless there is something wrong with your 8, you should hardly notice when the AC is on.

1.3L

 

Yeah but some 04 6 speeds have had this issue as well...

 

The sound or pitch of my engine changes when it is in Park and I turn on the airconditioner, I am assuming that the air conditioner is putting a load on the generator - However, I have seen no power loss, or change in the smoothness. the AC does eat just a little more gas, so it must put a load on the engine, and probably increases heating...

 

Did you have an aftermarket intake installed at a tuning shop? if so, they didnt put your bumper back correctly. the gap between your front bumper and hood is big. (i had the same problem when i installed my intake)

 

FWIW,

The AC pump only uses about 2HP at 3000 RPM.