It's such a pleasure to recieve sage advice from the Cyber Volvo community. My presumed to be dead AC compressor in my '95 850 has come back to life because it only needed some additional 134R running through it's veins. Some kind cyber-soul informed me that there is a protective cut-out circuit which activates when the refrigerant drops below a certain level. I added some and it came to life. I suspect the air-flow could be colder but I don't want to over-charge the system. Without fancy gauges how does one determine the charge to be adequate? TD <http://www.oregrownmusic.com/anoldvolvo.htm>

 

Many newer systems have a fail safe where the A/C will not work if it is too low on freon. It does so to protect itself from major failure.

However, that does mean there is probably a slow and very small leak (Or a big leak depending on how fast your system holds a charge).

Your best bet is to take it somewhere and have the system vacuumed, cleaned out, and recharged.

If that works, see how long it holds the charge for.

 

10 to 1 you have a bad evaporator. Cost in the ballpark of $1500 to fix unless you do it yourself. I have had it done on two of mine. See how long it holds a charge. If it holds it for more than a month just keep charging it through the summer. Mine lasted about three days the last time. I don't think you can really over fill it. Most refill kits have a gauge built in. Stop it when it gets to the warning area.

 

Thanks for the tips. I've heard that replacing the evaporator is a very tedious DIY project. What's the likelihood of success using 134r containing a stop leak additive? TD

 

slim to none, i dont think it does. its actualy illegal in wisconsin where im from, so if we do ever want it we need to drive to get it.

 

+1 on the slim to none.