All--

I've traced the source of my A/C woes to this part, see pic. It's the (I believe) the high-side pipe, between the condenser and the compressor, and the fitting sticking out is leaking out of the top. I can put a can of 134a in (it's been retrofitted), but the pressure of the system drops like a rock because of this item. I can hear it 'fsssssss' out of the top of this while it's running--20 minutes later, there's no pressure in the system whatsoever.

I don't know what part I'm looking at, whether I'd have to get a whole new pipe from the dealer (as I can't find a similar-looking pipe on the 'net).

Can somebody help me out as to what I'm looking at, what the purpose is, and how I can find a fix or replacement other than the dealer. Thanks a bunch.

[IMG]local://upfiles/14539/8BE2F60BDDEC4BCB80B2AE438D3511A7.jpg[/IMG]

 

That piece sticking out is the high pressure blow out valve.
3522398 should be the part # for it.

 

Tech, thanks for the fast reply. I figured it was something like that.

Anyways, I took it off, and there is a small set screw in the center. If I screwed it down all the way, the leak stops.

How does this work, does it need to be unscrewed to be safe, etc?

Thanks

 

That is so that if to much pressure builds up that will blow out so that a line doesn't blow out.
You can try it with it screwed in.
Make sure the cooling fan works properly on the car.

 

How?

 

Does it also have an electric one?
If not let it sit and idle for about 10 minutes. Then give it some gas and see if you hear the manual one run making a loud like wind noise.

 

It's got an electric one, and I've never heard it run. It also has the engine-driven radiator fan, but the electric's for the condenser.

You'll have to forgive the ignorance, it's my first Volvo and my first RWD vehicle (so used to the E-W engine, not a N-S layout...)

 

OK then if you want to you can hook the fan (electric one) up using a relay and tap into the low pressure switch on the dryer. This way everytime the A/C works the fan works as well.