Took my 1995 Volvo 850 Wagon (2.4L 5Cyl.) into the local "total car care" shop (not the Volvo dealership) to get the AC inspected (it's not cold anymore, but I can hear the compressor clicking on and off).... well, after trying to inspect it they call me and say they can't do anything with it because the way it's designed it's only got a "low access" and not a "high" - and they need both. They can't even check the AC system pressure.

What?!?

Is this true? Are these guys missing something? Can only Volvo service the AC?

Thanks for the help guys - you guys have&nbsp\\;the SilverFox running like a dream.

 

Is there a shop close by that actually specializes in A/C?&nbsp\\; Might have better service taking it there and you would probably feel better about the A/C shop knowing what they are doing.&nbsp\\;

 

They have to be charged from the low side any machine will charge it.

 

>Is this true?

No. I would stay away from that shop for good. Try to find an independent shop that specialises in Swedish/Euro makes and have an ASE Master Technician work on your Volvo.

Should you decide to charge the system by yourself, do a bit of homework and follow the instructions that come with a service kit. Also, don't be surprised to see the system not being able to hold pressure, because the A/C on 850 is poorly designed and some components are known to fail.


JPN

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I've been recharging my A/C once a year at the start of the summer season for the last couple years. My evaporator is slowly leaking but it holds the charge thru the summer.

It cost me about $30 the first year because I bought one of those fancy kits with a gauge, now every year I just buy two cans of 134a for about $12 and hit it once in April-ish and once in August. Works great.

When I replaced my receiver/dryer I took it to a shop to have them pull a vacuum on the system and recharge it. Cost me $200. What a waste of $$. Do it yourself.

The low pressure port is marked with a "6nm" or something on it. It's a black cap to the left of the engine, with yellow lettering. In fact I think my first post on here was about where it was located, with pictures. You might try doing a search.

 

Run, don't walk....run from that shop. They do not know what they are talking about. Your AC can be recharged by any machine, almost anywhere. As said above, you can even do it at home if you desire.

 

Hey now,

If you need it, here you go. It's marked in Red.

When they say that they can't check the A/C system you might askthem "What is it that you do then "


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↑Ah, bull's eye. Great job!!!

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JPN

 

Hey now JPN,

Thanks [sm=smiley20.gif]


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Is doing it yourself an easy task? Hmmm.... by the pictures, and the location of the fill nozzleit seems pretty easy.

Maybe i'll give it a shot.

Yea, I know about the 850's shoty AC system, but i'm hoping that maybe....just maybe....the reason I went without AC last summer was because it needed a recharge. Afterall, 2 summers ago, it worked.

Great looking wagon! Looks identical to mine except for the wheels and is that a sunroof? Is that stock?

Nice job.

 

The cap over the low-side nozzle - how do you get that off?

 

Turn it CCW.


JPN

 

Hey now TacklaNHL, [sm=thanx.gif]

I appreciate it. You've no idea what it cost to get it just to this point. [[sm=proof.gif]= $$$$]

So far it's all stock, although, I did paint the trim and bumpers and will be putting in the side markers and painting the mud guards this weekend. As long as it's pleasant.

http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll100/Quick-Brick/The%20Anvil%20-%20Before%20and%20After/

If you can, post some pic's of your brick so we can OOOO and AAAAA at it [sm=smiley20.gif].

Hey, any Brick is a Good Brick


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My son has a 88 V70R and he puts a can of R134A in about twice a year and that works for him. When I tried recharging mine it lasted about 4 or 5 days. That's when I had the evaporator replaced.

 

Hey now all,

Speaking of A/C, until I can get my cooling fan working, I'm not going to worry about my A/C as I know that things are good there because I replaced the compressor last summer and it was sweet.


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