Greetings

My 85 240 Wagon is in need of AC work. The R12 has long since leaked out and I'm searching for the most cost effective way to stay cool (107 temps next week) and not go broke.

By my research all 240's came with R12 systems. Is there a newer model that uses a newer coolant and is a fairly simple swap? Something I missed perhaps. I know there are retrofits but my understanding of those is that they are at best a temporary fix, not a true long term solution.

Thanks for the replies

lute

 

Some AC shops will refill your system with R12 if you can find the cans.
They can also retrofit your current setup to use the newer R134.
You can even convert it your self. They sell kits at pepboys.

 

+1. I believe 85 was the year they switched to Sanden and Diesel Kiki compressors which work quite well with R134a. Many shops still have R12...we do. But it's $65 a 12 ounce can! When production of R12 ceased, there was a big to-do about conversions and the expense of converting every single o-ring, etc. R12 systems use mineral oil as a lubricant, R134a systems come with PAG oil from the factory. The 2 oils are incompatible. This neccessitated the complete flushing of the systems to completely remove the remaining oil. Soon, the a/c manufacturers discovered ester oil which is compatible with both. Now, when an R12 system is converted without removal of parts, ester oil is typically used. I have a 90 740 that was originally an R12 system. I knew I was going to remove the engine in a year to put a V8 in it but I needed to get through the Texas summer first. All I did was evacuate the system, leak test it,add ester oil and recarge the system with R134a. It worked great! And was still working great until the system was opened up for the motor swap. 240's have a puny a/c system under the best of circumstances...don't expect to be able to hang meat in your car! A/C systems efficiency is dictated not only by the size of the condensor and evaporator but also by the displacement of the compressor. Displacement is dictated by the size and power of the engine. A 4 cylinder, 114 hp n/a Volvo motor has a pretty small displacement compressor. If you went to a larger compressor you a/c would be better...but your car would be a total dog. With my 740, after the V8 swap it has a compressor from a V8 5.0 Ford. Using the same evaporator and condensor...the compressor is the only thing that changed. It will run you out of the car it is so cold!
The thing to do economically...is have a shop pull a vacuum on the system to check for leaks. If the system is sound...have them just put a low side adapter fitting on and rock w/ R134a.