i've got a 1988 240 - and the A/C seems really weak. I understand that's the case with 240s - but i wonder if there's anything i can do.

Driving the car on the highway when it's, say, 95 degrees outside, it barely cools that car. I don't want to put a thermometer in the car, but I'd guess it never gets below 80-85 degrees inside the car. Even after 45 minutes, it doesn't get any better.

do i need to deal with it - or take it into the shop?

-Scott

 

First make sure the freon level is good.
The next thing you can do is add an electric cooling fan on the front of the condensor that will help a little.

 

Thanks - I'll be taking it soon.

 

A few more DIY things you can do. Make sure the condenser, the thing in front of the radiator that looks like a radiator, is clean of bugs and dirt by spraying off with a hose. Check the evaporator for leaves and other debris, it is behind the plastic kick panels in the center consol, they like to fill up with trash that comes in from the air intake cowl and block airflow. While you are in there, check the pan drain/drip hose that turns and comes out under the car for blockage. Check the heater control valve and make sure it is cutting off all the way, and not passing hot coolant to the heater core. Check the ac compressor belt for correct tension and condition. After doing all that, and using the recirculate function for the initial cool down, and it still does not cool, then it is time to have someone put a set of gauges on the system and/or check for power at the compressor.