bratgrl Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Hi there; I have a '1980 Brat, EA71, and when the AC is running, the car will barely stay at an idle, and there is a weird "growly" noise from the compressor. The AC works really well when the car is at speed going down the road. And the "growly" noise goes away. I don't use the AC all the time, but I would like to be able to use it without have to turn it off every time I stop at a light, or a stop sign so the car doesn't die, or keep my foot on the gas to keep the RPM's up. Is there some setting or adjustment or "idle bump" switch or something I need to check out?:-\ Thanks in advance for any help or advice you have.....Bobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 is the growl coming from the compressor? i'd pull the belt and see if the pulley free wheels okay and if the compressor turns smoothly...or, well , like an a/c compressor, lumpy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratgrl Posted April 29, 2008 Author Share Posted April 29, 2008 is the growl coming from the compressor? i'd pull the belt and see if the pulley free wheels okay and if the compressor turns smoothly...or, well , like an a/c compressor, lumpy. I have checked the pulley and it seems to be fine. That was one of the first things I did check, because the compressor went out on one of my trucks I use to have, so I knew to check that first. The problem is that unless I keep the car running at high RPM's when I stop at a light or whatever when the air conditioner is on, it almost stalls out. I was thinking that maybe there was some switch or something on the idle setting that bumps it up when the AC is on that wasn't working properly. I searched here and in the HTKYSA, and couldn't find anything about it. Maybe someone with a service manual could help???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I have checked the pulley and it seems to be fine. That was one of the first things I did check, because the compressor went out on one of my trucks I use to have, so I knew to check that first. The problem is that unless I keep the car running at high RPM's when I stop at a light or whatever when the air conditioner is on, it almost stalls out. I was thinking that maybe there was some switch or something on the idle setting that bumps it up when the AC is on that wasn't working properly. I searched here and in the HTKYSA, and couldn't find anything about it. Maybe someone with a service manual could help???? The Gen1s did not have factory air, so the service manuals will not have anything on it really. You have an aftermarket setup, (designed for Subaru). There is no idle up, so in the summer, you have to raise the base idle up some, to compensate for the compressor load. What compressor do you have? If you have the mini York, they growl! They are a piston compressor and naturally noisy. Otherwise, check your belt and the mount bolts on the bracket and the compressor. Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratgrl Posted May 1, 2008 Author Share Posted May 1, 2008 The Gen1s did not have factory air, so the service manuals will not have anything on it really. You have an aftermarket setup, (designed for Subaru). There is no idle up, so in the summer, you have to raise the base idle up some, to compensate for the compressor load. What compressor do you have? If you have the mini York, they growl! They are a piston compressor and naturally noisy. Otherwise, check your belt and the mount bolts on the bracket and the compressor. Todd I think it is the York compressor, will have to check to be sure. I am assuming that I should adjust the idle with the AC running....any special tricks I should know? Bobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 I think it is the York compressor, will have to check to be sure. I am assuming that I should adjust the idle with the AC running....any special tricks I should know? Bobby No special tricks. You might consider a conversion to 134A. I have had good success with converting my York systems. Yes, you have to set the idle a bit higher in cars with AC, so that you have the RPMs when the compressor turns on. Todd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 If you have the mini York, they growl! They are a piston compressor and naturally noisy. Hhhhmmm - I haven't met the non-reciprocating automotive refrigeration pump yet. Must just be a primitive design. Or do you mean it's a crank/connecting rod recip rather than the wobble plate style that's more common. If that's the case I haven't seen one of those on a Subaru, but I haven't run across this York setup either. In industrial equipment, they are just now starting to get into the Scroll style compressors that the consumer market has been using for years. I would think that they would be excelent for automotive - more effecient, and smaller in size. Fewer moving parts as well. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Hhhhmmm - I haven't met the non-reciprocating automotive refrigeration pump yet. Must just be a primitive design. Or do you mean it's a crank/connecting rod recip rather than the wobble plate style that's more common. If that's the case I haven't seen one of those on a Subaru, but I haven't run across this York setup either. In industrial equipment, they are just now starting to get into the Scroll style compressors that the consumer market has been using for years. I would think that they would be excelent for automotive - more effecient, and smaller in size. Fewer moving parts as well. GD Exactly, the Mini York system is not of the more common and quiet wobble plate design. It's crank and pistons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratgrl Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 No special tricks. You might consider a conversion to 134A. I have had good success with converting my York systems. Okay...silly girl question...what is 134A? I don't know too much about the AC stuff, but I am assuming it is a different kind of refrigerant, right? And what would be gained by doing the switch? Not being snotty, just want to understand...Bobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 No special tricks. You might consider a conversion to 134A. I have had good success with converting my York systems. Okay...silly girl question...what is 134A? I don't know too much about the AC stuff, but I am assuming it is a different kind of refrigerant, right? And what would be gained by doing the switch? Not being snotty, just want to understand...Bobby Yes, 134A is the refrigerant used in current cars and is the gas to replace R12. You can convert to 134A and save a ton if you have to recharge. R12 is very pricey and you have to have a license to buy it. 134A is over the counter. 134A is not as cold as R12, but the difference is minimal, if the conversion is done correctly. Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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