Ford EcoSport: Trying to diagnose a power loss, AC compressor issue

The AC guys checked the AC functioning since the cooling was on top form - he suspected this to be because of Engine overheating. He wanted me to get the water pump, Thermostat and Radiator checked.

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UPDATE

I do not remember when was the last time I updated here. But I had some eventful December, Jan & Feb and now the car is back at FASS on a problem that I think should be the root cause.

November - December 2023:

While I was preparing myself to leave with the issue, I noticed one more thing along the same lines.

After short drives or city drives especially with AC on - I observed that my radiator fan is mostly on High Speed, and then the compressor goes off. In a short time, the Fan goes back to low speed - but in a few seconds, the compressor comes back with a click.

So the jerk is that of the AC compressor going on and off. (my assumption)

While I was driving home for the Christmas holidays I had an uneventful drive until about 4 hours of drive till I reached the Wayanad hairpins. While I was preparing to take a steep climb on a curve, dropping down from 3rd gear to 2 within traffic - I felt a very strong power drop. The engine was running on AC, but the car did not have sufficient power to pull the RPMs up. I managed to park off the road, amidst a lot of honking.

I switched off the AC - and kept the car running for another 3-4 minutes and had the radiator fan go off. I started driving and it looked like nothing like this had happened.

FNG at Sulthan Bathery New Indian Service: Presented the car and they did not find anything, but attributed it to the loose accessory belt. Replaced it. - even I was not sure.

Drove back in January, planning to take this to the AC guy. But January and Feb became packed for me because of a family tragedy, where I couldn't spare time to look at it.

Car AC guy in Cochin Automobia, Kakkanad: Fast Forward to March - This Monday I took the car to the AC guys since I am travelling again to Wayanad this weekend and I also have another hill station drive planned shortly.

The AC guys checked the AC functioning since the cooling was in top form - he suspected this to be because of Engine overheating. He wanted me to get the water pump, Thermostat, and Radiator checked.

To iron out the resistor which helps the radiator fan switch between speeds, he poured some water into the condenser and we could see the radiator fan moving down from high speed.

FASS Cochin Kairali Ford, Kakkanad: Drove straight to the FASS, and after a day they looked at a pump closer to the Thermostat not heating up enough like it is expected to be after running. I hope the car geeks would understand this scenario better.

They suspect that the thermostat is not pumping sufficient coolant to manage the engine temperature as coolant levels are closer to max.

I feel:

• My car lost power on the hairpin as the engine heated up after a long drive.
• I learned that the AC compressor cuts off itself when the engine heats up.

By logic, this should solve it. But I am sad that I had to have the AC guy find it and not the FASS.

I am hoping to get an update today. By the way thermostat and coolant need to be replaced and may come close to 5K.

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