Miata Mailing List: May 1997, Message #124
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From: 	Ryan Cramer <rcramer@di.net>

Subject: Is this normal? (first use of AC)

Date: 	Thu, 1 May 1997 17:32:53 -0500



I tried out my air conditioner for the first time today but noticed some

strange things. First off, it did work quite nicely, nice frigid air, etc.

However, when the air conditioner is on, it sounds like there is some sort

of whine going on in the engine bay, especially when accelerating in the

4000 rpm range. Its pretty loud. There is also a noticable lack of power.

The pitch and intensity of the whine follows the rpms. But everything seems

to work. The lack of power disappears when accelerating in 4th gear--its

like the power kicks in again.



Also, on hard acceleration, I hear a soft crackling marbles in a tin can

sound. It sounds like its coming from the muffler. I've heard people mention

pinging, but I don't know if this is it. I don't know what pinging is

supposed to sound like--I've heard it described as "marbles in a tin can"

sound, but this was not very loud at all, but it did resemble that sound.

FYI, i'm running 14 btdc on 93 octane supreme exxon fuel. 



Finally, when I pulled into the garage and got out, there was a burnt rubber

smell in the engine bay. Everyting looked in place though, didn't look like

any belts were wearing or anything. The smell soon disappeared. The smell

could have been my tires considering how worn they are. (New tires on the

next paycheck!)



Is this normal for the Air conditioning to cause this? THis is the first

time I've used it, so I was a little surprised.



Thanks,

Ryan

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http://www.di.net/ryan/