DC4: Clutch & A/C issue

[dsp26]

Hi All,

Was just wanting to know if this was common and if it had a fix.


The mrs DC4's clutch slips whenever the airconditioner is turned on... it slips as if the clutch is completely gone.

The clutch is a heavy duty and has awesome bite as long as the aircon isn't on or hasn't been on.

I've tested it and managed to replicate everytime and so has the family mechanic.

We're all baffled as I don't see how the 2 are related..... any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

***EDIT***
My worst case scenario theory is that the A/C is somewhat seized and puts load on the crank pulley and the rear main crank seal leaks fluid into the gearbox casing?

[dsp26]

lol. so i'm guessing this isn't common and i'm therefore in the wrong section?

[bennjamin]

you are right that the ac does "kick in" and puts extra load on the drivetrain , can you replicate a slipping clutch any other time like uphill in 4th or 5th gear/

[dsp26]

nope tried it on different inclines and gears and load combinations... doesn't slip any other time except the when the AC is or has been used.

weird huh?

***EDIT***
oh and can you please move this tech section maybe for me benny if you can... dunno how that works with different moderators in sections, etc... thanks

[dsp26]

bumpy?

[Q_ball]

Moved to tech for additional bump seeing as its not a common prob

[dsp26]

thanks Q!

[destrukshn]

how wierd is that aye. lol.
hahaha
sorry i'm no of help on this one.

[dsp26]

to add to the info also:

i've tried various load conditions on different gears on an incline (wallgrove road towards elizabeth drive for those who know it) but it WON'T slip.. UNTIL the airconditioner turn on or has been turned on... it's worse on the incline... have to rev the **** out of it like theres no meat left.. it's so gay if that ever happens to anyone trust me lol.

- It doesn't happen straight away after turning the aircon on... maybe a 5-10sec lag before 'slipping' starts. And it's not intermittent. Once the aircon is on, it's slippy for the entire duration.
- It doesn't go away straight away after either, probably mostly gone after 30secs of having the aircon off.
- the level of slippy-ness DOES NOT vary from what i can tell while the aircon is on



Can anyone even come up with a theory for me to check please? I don't really care if it's not a solution, i'm willing to test it.


My absolute theory is that the compressor is somewhat seized and it provides a massive strain on on the crank-->flywheel. Can I test this by simply taking the aircon belt off for a while?


What else could provide slipping in the gearbox apart from the rear main crank seal and what would be a theory relating that to the aircon?


Also it is a Stage 2 version of this shitty clutch:
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108277
What are some clutch function related theories?

[Webby_roller]

Hey man, just wondering, does the aircon still work?? Is it still cold or is the temperature of the aircon not as good as it used to be???

[dsp26]

^^not as good as it used to be... now that you mention it, it was quite strong before the slipping issue. Whats your idea?

[Webby_roller]

I was trying to see if your a/c compressor had seized.... if it IS still working, then it isn't completely seized, (if that is what is the issue).

Umm... your idea about the extra force in cuased by the a/c is valid, but if this was the case it would cuase the engine to drop revs, not allow them to rise, (unless the belt was slipping around the a/c drive gear)

have you had the car running at idle with the bonnet up and turned the a/c on? just to see if it spins...

[dsp26]

^^but it always spins coz its clutch type? is there anything visbile from the outside that i can check on the compressor to check function apart from the usual 'click' noise?

well it seems the a/c isn't cooling at all now.. bearings partially seized?

will have to check again. Is it worthwhile for me to remove the belt and turn it on (even though it won't be spinning) to see if my issues persist? would this prove anything to me or is not getting belt driven defeating the purpose?

[fatboyz39]

well it seems the a/c isn't cooling at all now.. bearings partially seized?

will have to check again. Is it worthwhile for me to remove the belt and turn it on (even though it won't be spinning) to see if my issues persist? would this prove anything to me or is not getting belt driven defeating the purpose?

Yeah take the belt off and try it Ron. This is the first i've heard about a/c and slipping clutch.

[dsp26]

i'll give it a try then...

loosen bracket bolt, lower ac, remove belt yeah?

thanks gents

[Webby_roller]

Good luck with it... i was thinking mabey a bearing is beginning to sieze, which could add the extra strain...

Post how it goes...