(T) Air Con Problem??

I have had Bibi back for a couple of days and ever since the Air con seems to be playing up. They checked it while she was in and said it was a bit low, so topped it up. Well since then the car just seems different, theres a real noise coming form the bonnet like one of those ventilaters on casualty and the engine power seems to dip quite alot when the air con comes on and does this sort of jerky type thing, dont really know how to explain it properly. Is this normal and could it just be I never noticed it before or could there be a problem? I'm sure the dealers will think I'm neurotic if I go back

The aircon is worked by a compressor under the bonnet. When activated it will drop the revs, but the ECU should sense it and bring it back up again.

If it is really hot outside the compressor has a lot to do, so could be noisy. I have a diesel so don't notice it.

Cheers

PD

Sounds exactly like mine and all other small engined cars... the aircon makes a very noticable difference to the performance and I really hate that. I was hoping 100hp might overcome it, as my wifes 90hp Golfs performance is exactly the same with or without aircon on.
Your underbonnet noise sounds normal too... have to say mine isnt that cool itself, again the Golf is better in that respect and its 13 years old!

Might be worth having a look here as they're sort so the same car with different body pannels;

http://www.fiatforum.com/panda-new/1...when-cold.html



Jon.