Volvo S80 99' air conditionned problems
 

Hello everybody,

This is my first thread on this forum and i'm happy that i've found a place where Volvo lovers from all around the world can speak about their passion on these magnificient vehicles.

I've recently bought a Volvo S80 99' and it was my first experience with this brand. I shall admit that Volvo is way better than any Mercedes on the market. I decided to buy this beauty so I can keep it as a collection car once it reach 25 years old.

Of course, I had some issues. I already put around 3000$ on it for various repair and it seems to be working fine for now. I now attack the small detail problems and it seems like I have a trouble with the air conditionned. When I turn it ON, it works properly for 5 to 10 minutes. After this, he just send some fog inside the car. I turn it OFF about 5 minutes and can use it back for about 5 to 10 minutes. Now, I would like to know what is the problem that cause the air conditionned to do that. Is that only that he needs fluid or that I need to change the air conditionned system?

Thank you for your help!

Likely a shim issue as described https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...shimming-6665/ here.

I live in a place where weather is very dry, but i often used to visit to another country by car which has humidity weather and I always found fog inside cabin they way you described...so I checked my cabin filter and wondered that it might never changed...I changed and problem solved....so I suggest to change filter first...then your 2nd look should be air dryer beside Radiator (Do you know if it ever changed?) ...finally work with AC compressor...by the way do you have any RPM fluctuating problem while AC ON?

The RPM is normal while using the air conditionned. I think it is important to say that the fog is coming out from the vent and is clearly visible coming out from there. I'm still not sure what is the trouble with it as it works pretty well until the fog arrives.

Aaaah...now getting the picture. That happens when the evaporator freezes up. The fog comes from the fan continuing to blow air (the air volume also drops, correct?) over an evap that has frozen into a block of ice. Usually caused by impurities in the refrigerant. In that case the best solution is usually to have the system evacuated and then recharged with the proper amount of refrigerant and oil. The machine needed to do that is very expensive, so you rarely see a DIY person have that equipment.

What you just said sounds right! Thank you for the help and in case I don't find anyone with the machine to evacuate the impurities, I need to completely change the A/C completely?

You will need that machine regardless. If you change any part of the sealed system where you end up opening it up to the elements then you have to have that machine to evacuate all the air that got in before you can add refrigerant and oil. That would include the compressor, dryer, evaporator, condenser, seals, etc. This really isn't a DIY job unless you have access to the machine and know how to use it.