[Andrew John]

okay, as summer is fast approaching, I wish to know what the likelihood of a re-charge on the A/C system. I have heard of a retro-fit process or a can of R134 stuff? Does this make sense, and how is it done. I really have no interest in dropping a grand to stay the least bit cool. Does this work? How is it done? Obviously the dealer will not suggest this, but how about a local AC shop or do it yourself. Is this stuff ava at Walmart in Canada?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Is it a foregone conclusion that the evaporator is shot? Please help. Black on Black is nice in the winter, but a bitch in the summer.....yes even Canada has hot summers.

 

[Simon Linton]

All air conditioning units need to be run regularly, just to keep the hoses and junctions lubricated and gas-tight.

Leaving the AC off over the winter will mean a gas recharge at least and at worst a set of hoses and seals.

Of course if the evaporator has gone, you'll need all that too - the only way to check is to have a local AC specialist give it a leak check.

Your Volvo dealer will probably sub-contract this out to a specialist, so you may as well cut out the middleman and go direct; but check that they do know the car's system before entrusting your beast.

Remember that it WILL need a new pollen filter (should be replaced twice-yearly or thereabouts).

 

[SCFrost]

My AC stopped blowing cold at the end of last summer. Rather than fixing it just before the temperature began to cool, I let it slide. The compressor was cycling once every 1-2 seconds. Six weeks ago we had a bit of a warm spell. This is what I did and the results.

#1. I purchased a quick charge kit that included the fill hose and a small can of 134 that included 2 oz of oil and some sort of stop leak. In addition, I purchased an 11 oz can of 134 that also included a certain amount of oil. That is all that Track Auto had. Three other discount stores I checked were completely out.

#2. I put in the small can. No change. The compressor was still cycling once every couple seconds.

#3. I put in the entire large can. Things are looking better. The compressor then cycled once every ten seconds. The A/C was beginning to blow slightly cool air.

#4. Back to the store, this time an authentic auto parts store. I walked out with a large 134 only can.

#5. Began to put in the 134. The compressor stopped cycling. The air began blowing cooler. If a little is good, more must be better…

#6. Ultimately I ended up putting the entire can of 134 in the system. Now the air blow EXTREMELY COLD. It has NEVER blown this cold ever!

After six weeks the air continues to blow very cold.

Note, this is not the best way to do things but knowing my car is probably not worth more than 9K and the fact that I am sitting on top of at least $3K worth of repairs, I had to give it a try. Now I can ride into the summer and continue to ponder the question, "Should I keep the Volvo or let it go?"

 

[pj's 850]

I love my volvo, even with all its problems, hehe! I have noticed that the air takes a bit to get cool, and in really hot days-over 100 degrees, the car wont stay too cold, it will get below 80, but has trouble keeping the car below 75. Anyway, is using one of those AC recharge kits that were mentioned above worth trying. Are they hard to do, can anyone let me know where the filler niple thing is that the hose would attach too. If I was too do it, it would probably be the small can with oil, since I do have working A/C, just not as good as I would like. Not as good as my parents to brand new Volvos, or my dads BMW. It is better than my Jeep though. Ok let me know, I appreciate it.