After 225,000 miles the A/C compressor finally went. I now need to purchase a new compressor but I am not sure which brand to purchase. Should I get the original or is there a cheaper aftermarket brand that you guys recommend I get? What else should I change other than the drier?

 

I would sure love to hear what you end up getting for your ac stuff. I am in the same boat. 1988 245.....just bought it a few months ago. Compressor seized up, and I was just planning on replacing everything in the ac system, that is reasonable.

Scott

 

I usually don't cheap out on parts, but since my 940 was 23 years old, I picked up a new (not remanufactured) compressor/dryer/orifice tube combo from ebay for just over $120. I figured if it died quickly, it wasn't a huge loss. Four years later, it still runs great, even better than when I first installed it!

I tried a quick ebay search and didn't find that exact deal as last time. But I figure, they're mostly made in the same place anyways so I'd say just get the cheapest one you can find.

 

that's a helluva deal! doubt it's oem though, too cheap! what brand was it?

 

I am also wondering what brand it is. If I remember correctly the oem compressor from Tasca is around $345.

 

Which AC system do you have . The 4 seasons climate control system or the plan vanilla manual AC system. The compressor prices range from $250 to $600. Try some of the Vintage AC web sites. They have complete kits. When I did our 740 a few years back I replaced everything except the evaporator. Got a used condensor and replaced all of the hoses and the R/D ,orifice valve and compressor. I did it all for under $500. Works great even using 134A.

 

jag, I have the plain manual AC system. I was planning on just replacing the compressor and dryer, but you mentioned the hoses so I might also replace them.

 

This is what I bought:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/VOLVO-740-760...-/121076323776

This says its remanufactured, but when I picked up my compressor, it was "New". However, I think its still a great deal if you're willing to get a remanufactured one.

 

Should work OK just make sure you also change the ORIFICE VALVE too. While you have the compressor and receiver/drier off you might want to flush the lines and evap and condenser cores . Good luck.

 

That particular one might not work on my car because my car is a 94 and it says it is for a 85-92. I will have to check with them on that.

 

1993 and newer use R134 refrigerant, pretty major change in the A/C area; may be that's why this only works for up to 1992.

 

Lev, you are right, the 92's and older were R12 mine is R134A. I had forgotten that.

 

Well, when I changed my compressor, I filled it with R134a. Yes, my car came with R12, but its been working fine with R134a. I did not need to evacuate the system of R12 because by the time it came to replacing the compressor, all the old refrigerant was long gone. In addition to changing the compressor, I also changed the dryer, condenser, and evaporator (unfortunately).

If you're really cautious, you can simply replace the O-rings with known R134a compatible ones. From what I understand, this compressor should work with your car.

 

you still should evacuate the AC system before charging to remove air and moisture from it, and also detect gross leaks.

 

I did evacuate the system. Not doing so would probably not net me any useful AC. I was just saying how there was no R12 in the system when I installed the compressor.

I'm curious what you'll end up doing with your car.

 

I would consider the aftermarket units you can get at the parts stores. If you replace the orifice tube and accumulator with it, you get a lifetime warranty on a brand new part, and you can take it to any local branch of that auto parts store anywhere in the country to get it replaced for free, assuming you keep paperwork.
I'm kind of old-school about big stuff like that. I'll order small stuff all day, every day from the web, but when it comes to something that's over $100, I like a part with a warranty that I can deal with in person. It doesn't hurt that I work there, either. Lol