Airco problem

[Cloggy Saint]

I've recently started to use my AC for the first time in a while and it has a problem. I know the system saps power from the engine but when it's switched on it almost feels as if I'm driving with the hand brake on, anyone have any ideas?

[Meatballs82]

Mine was similair when I first bought the car, I think it could be to do with the compressor pulley. I've not changed my pulley, just ran it with ac on for 50 miles and kept an eye on it, it seems to be fine now.

[Simon13]

once sorted the trick to keeping a/c working well is to use it! even just for 15 mins in the winter every 2 weeks

could be the compressor dragging or something

[pacerpete]

I thought all 320s drove like that...........

[Cloggy Saint]

Exactly, every pony is precious, I can't afford to lose what little power I have.

[mrLEE30]

my 320 cab was horrendously slow with the AC on, worse it was an auto, so much so that i used to switch off the Ac while pulling out of a tricky/busy roundabout.

But worth checking if they have over filled the gas as this can put more strain on the compressor and sap power, and as suggested above check the belt tension too.

As Simon13 points out you should run your Ac every two weeks, this allows the gas/fluid to lubricate the seals and o rings and prevents leakages due to dried out seals.