Hi,

A few years ago I converted my 92 245 R12 system to 134A. I replaced compressor, condenser, hoses, rings, but left the original evaporator. It cools ok, but not the greatest on really hot humid days.

I have access to a complete factory 1993 245 134A ac system. Would exchanging my r12 evaporator with the 93 improve my system? I've been told the factory 134A evaporator is larger and works more efficiently. I've replaced the blower motor so I understand what it takes to get to the evaporator. Is it worth the effort?

Thanks, Jim

 

The evaporator core for the 240 series is the same 1991, 1992 and 1993. The big upgrade on those years is that Volvo used a GM styled system that included an accumulator and orifice tube rather than an expansion valve to meter refrigerant.

From what I recall, and recent threads here, the 1993 condenser is unique and my belief is that it contains a port for a pressure sensor to operate the booster fan found on the 1993 model that was R134a. There were no booster fans on the R12 system.

In my opinion, trying to rig up a booster fan will be a lot of time and trouble. Instead, I'd recommend that you seal the air gap between the condenser and radiator, and then fan shroud and radiator. That change will require that all airflow across the fan blades comes through the condenser and radiator. Air will follow the path of least resistance and at idle, if there are air gaps, the air will pull from around the condenser instead of through it.

Also, replace your fan clutch with a quality unit so that it is pulling enough air as the temperature is warm.

I will assume that it cools just fine driving down the road and while idling, it struggles?

 

Tony, good ideas.

Yes, at idle it isn't cooling quite as well, but similar. When it's hot a humid, it has never cooled enough. The fan clutch is newish and works well. I'll try to seal up the gaps.

Would it be worthwhile to get the 93 condenser and booster fan to add to mine? It's free to me, just my time for doing the work.

Jim

 

You will probably find that the 93 condenser is only available through the dealer. Then you have the issue of the pressure sensor, associated wiring and booster fan. My suggestion is to start with the simple things.

An R134a charge is about 85% of an R12 charge, even though I never found much difference between using 85% and 100% of what R12 was. Was a good vacuum pulled before you charged the system?

 

Tony,

The 93 condenser I can get is in a working car that's getting parted out. The AC cools fine in it currently. Did all of the 93s come with the booster fan? I'll have to check this one. I can get any parts of the AC that I want.

Yes, I pulled a vacuum for more than an hour before charging the system. Everything in the 134A upgrade was new except for the evaporator.

 

If you are not cooling adequately while driving down the road with an air blast through the condenser, then the booster fan will not help. The booster fan will only run when pressures are above a preset point to keep the high side pressures down and, of course, cold inside.

The 1993 condenser might be larger, I do not know.

 

I checked out the 93 system today and it's exactly like my 92 except for the drier is a little different configuration on the ports. I had put a 134A drier on mine with the conversion. The 93 has the same condenser and booster fan as mine. Thanks for the ideas.

 

Yes believe 91-93 are the same. The factory booster fan is kinda a joke compared to fans cars run nowadays. I have a 90 240. I put a 16inch pusher fan on my condenser, it runs when compressor is on. It has help alot keeping pressures down and allows you to add more fridge juice. I plan to eventually upgrade my evaporator. But still get high 30s on 95 degree day.

 

Back in the day I noticed that several makes of vehicles had booster fans added to their basic design in the 1993 to 1996 era. I remember a 1995 Ford Crown Victoria that we bought for resale and noticed that it had a booster fan mounted behind the radiator between the radiator and the engine fan. There was enough room to mount a puller type fan there and that was Ford's way to get the design through the R12 to R134a conversation without a lot of drama.

 

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