Just Got My Ac Recharged, But Engine Hesitating/surging When Ac Is On Now.

7084 Views 9 Replies 4 Participants Last post by moogulguy, Jul 17, 2010

moogulguy

Discussion Starter · Jul 8, 2010

I took my car in to have a discharge hose leak looked at (had it diagnosed last year around this time, but never fixed it). The garage found my ac system had only lost a little coolant, so they evaced/recharged it and didn't notice any leaks (this is a different garage than where I took it last year).

So I took my car out and was enjoying the cool ac, but my engine is hestitating and surging quite a bit. I drove on the highway and had a hard time keeping my speed constant (no cruise on my Accent), and I had terrible horse power.

What would be causing the issues I'm having with engine hesitation and surging with the AC on? I remember running the AC when I first got the car (last year) and it didn't have these issues then.

Thanks in advance for your input.

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jsinton

· #2 · Jul 8, 2010

It is not unlikely that your mechanic sabotaged your car, either intentionally or accidentally.

I once bought an old Volvo (I had 10 old Volvos over the years) and this particular car had a "shutter" every once and a while as I drove it down the road. Upon careful examination I notice that EVERY visible ground wire I could find had been loosened up a couple of turns, probably 5 or 6 wires in all. I could only conclude it was mechanic sabotage.

I would recommend you take your car to Autozone or Advance auto for a free code scan and see if there is any trouble codes. If not, I would suspect a fuel pressure problem.

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moogulguy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 9, 2010

QUOTE (jsinton @ Jul 8 2010, 11:01 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=339804

It is not unlikely that your mechanic sabotaged your car, either intentionally or accidentally.

I would recommend you take your car to Autozone or Advance auto for a free code scan and see if there is any trouble codes. If not, I would suspect a fuel pressure problem.

Whenever I would put the vents on windshield during the winter, I'd notice a loss in hp and a very slight surge (since that turns the compressor).

I'm trying to figure out if I should just have the guys that recharged my ac try to help me figure out the surge/hesitation problem. Their shop was recommended and they have a great rep in the area.

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sbr711

· #4 · Jul 9, 2010

A/C compressor operating adds a considerable load to that small 1.5L motor that is 8+ yr old.. what kind of physical condition is the engine ? What is the state of tune ?

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jsinton

· #5 · Jul 9, 2010

QUOTE (sbr711 @ Jul 9 2010, 12:13 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=340216

A/C compressor operating adds a considerable load to that small 1.5L motor that is 8+ yr old.. what kind of physical condition is the engine ? What is the state of tune ?

Yes, you're right.

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moogulguy

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 9, 2010

QUOTE (sbr711 @ Jul 9 2010, 12:13 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=340216

A/C compressor operating adds a considerable load to that small 1.5L motor that is 8+ yr old.. what kind of physical condition is the engine ? What is the state of tune ?

What does a tune-up for a 2002 accent 1.5L usually include? I called around and several shops didn't know what exactly could be "tuned up".

I have been hearing what sounds like detonation whenever I put the engine under moderate duress. I have changed out my fuel filter, made sure oil changes are done on time, air filter is new, run fuel injector cleaner a few times, and made sure all my belts were new, spark plug wires/plugs are new too.

Maybe the detonation is the source of everything.

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rsquared

· #7 · Jul 10, 2010

The words "tune up" don't really apply anymore, but replacing the spark plugs & wires, oil & filter, fuel filter, air filter, and PCV would be a "tune up" for an older car. Odds are, you won't need everything.

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moogulguy

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 15, 2010

QUOTE (rsquared @ Jul 10 2010, 01:01 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=340454

The words "tune up" don't really apply anymore, but replacing the spark plugs & wires, oil & filter, fuel filter, air filter, and PCV would be a "tune up" for an older car. Odds are, you won't need everything.

Yeah I've done my own spark plugs, wires, oil & filter, fuel filter, and check the pcv (seemed to be working fine).

I was running my AC the other day when the check engine light started flashing for about 30 seconds. It went away and hasn't been back. My fuel mileage (even highway) takes a huge dive when I run the AC so I have only used it sparingly.

Would the o2 sensor need replacing after 8 years? I'm trying to figure out what might be causing some of my problems with the weaker engine (detonation issues).

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sbr711

· #9 · Jul 16, 2010

QUOTE (moogulguy @ Jul 15 2010, 07:38 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=342117

Yeah I've done my own spark plugs, wires, oil & filter, fuel filter, and check the pcv (seemed to be working fine).

I was running my AC the other day when the check engine light started flashing </span> for about 30 seconds.

<span style="color:#FF0000">Scan the PCM to see if it stored a DTC,,, then you have someplace to start your diagnosis...

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moogulguy

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 17, 2010

sbr711 posted Scan the PCM to see if it stored a DTC,,, then you have someplace to start your diagnosis...

I drove it to Autozone immediately and their little hookup didn't detect anything. Is there another way to scan the pcm?

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