2003 Duratorq 2.0L TD Lumpy & Losing Water When A/C Used

[RodneyTrotter]

Hi, my mates 2003 2.0L TD Duratorq seems to be running lumpy, no loss of power although he says " it doesn't pull like it used to....". Also ie seems to lose alot of water from the expansion bottle, he says, but only when he's running the air con........is this "normal"? His boss has just had her Operators licence suspended for 6 months so he may be looking to buy the van from her......if its all ok!!!! Thx in advance......

[Two Transit Dave]

I'm no expert on air-con but both my Transits have air-con and i dont think its in any way conected to the engine cooling water it does drain a fair bit of power so if there is something wrong with the engine perhaps the extra load of running the compressor showsw it up more.

[AndyG]

On my MK5 the aircon. activates a vacuum operated valve that stops any water going through the heater matrix
Your van could be giving signs of a blocked radiator What's the temp. gauge saying
Two Transit Dave is right in saying that the compressor does put an extra load on the engine

You can't have something for nothing

[Two Transit Dave]

Andyg I guess you can still use your heater and air-con combined on your van can't you because I quite often use the air-con with the heater to clear the windows of mist during the winter months.

[AndyG]

That's right If the heat setting is in any other position than cold you end up with "climate control" so it doesn't freeze your ........ off

If I eat something hot in the van during winter, the aircon. clears those windows in seconds

[RodneyTrotter]

Temp gauge always reads ok...........thx