When your A/C is turned on can you notice it in the way the engine acts?

A/C obviously steals power from the engine because it's belt driven, but it seems a lot worse on my LS400 then on my dad's 98 GS300. Also, on his GS300 the engine sounds exactly the same whether the A/C is on or off. Mine has a whine that is linear with engine RPM (due to A/C compressor being belt driven). Could my belt be on too tight? I really want to stop the noise it makes, as it makes my Lexus quiet engine quite noticable.

Any insight is appreciated.

 

I was searching through the SC forum and read that one guy after converting from r12 to 134a noticed a whine. He then recharged his system thoroughly and it got a little better. Do you think recharging would help this at all? I have pretty thorough service records of the car and I don't think it's ever been done. The A/C does work quite well, as it's 100+ degrees here often and it only takes 1-2 minutes to bring the car down to the proper temp.

 

Brian,

Since no one has any direct input here, I'm moving your post to the maintenance forum where perhaps one of the Lex Techs can help you out.

 

A good working condition Compressor should not make a loud whining noise at all. I think your compressor is ready to give up( lock up) and may be that why it's take a lot of power from your engine. I used to have a 95 LS and I don't recall this problem at all.

 

My 1990 has the same whine for the first few minutes it's on which makes me think it's a belt.

I can notice the power difference and I can feel it clunk when I'm driving if I turn it on/off. The RPM's slightly drop.

The compressor in my car was replaced in 1998 or 1999 by the previous owner.

 

Could be your fan clutch or AC compressor. I don't think it is possible to put the belt on to tight. It is designed with a flex system with no adjustments available. The adjustment arm keeps it at the required length allowing for any variance (ie. belt shriking, stretch ect.) and making adjustments.

 

When I drive on the freeway and decide to turn on the A/C, I immediately feel a slight lose of power. The A/C does make a difference.